The basic steps to swap a material

To change a material in SolidWorks, right-click the part name in the left panel (called the FeatureManager), select Edit Material, then pick a new material from the library that appears. SolidWorks will update the part's appearance and weight when ready. If you want to save that material choice so it stays with the file, click the checkmark to confirm.

The material you choose affects how the part looks when rendered (the shading and color you see on screen) and what weight SolidWorks calculates for the part. It does not change the shape or size of the part itself — only the material properties attached to it.

Most people use this feature when they want to see what a plastic part would look like in aluminum, or when they need SolidWorks to calculate weight for an assembly. The material library comes built in, so you do not need to read anything first.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the part name in the FeatureManager tree on the left side of the screen and select Edit Material to open the material browser.
  • SolidWorks stores materials in categories like Metals, Plastics, and Composites, so browse by material type rather than scrolling a long list.
  • The material you assign changes the part's color and appearance on screen, and updates the weight calculation if you have density enabled.
  • Clicking the checkmark saves the material choice to the part file, so the material stays assigned when you close and reopen the file.
  • You can assign different materials to different parts in an assembly, so each component can have its own material properties.

Finding materials in the library

When you click Edit Material, a panel opens on the right side showing material categories. The most common ones are Metals (steel, aluminum, titanium), Plastics (ABS, polycarbonate, nylon), and Composites. Click the category name to expand it and see the materials inside.

Each material shows a small preview of its color. If you hover over a material name, SolidWorks shows you the density and other properties. This is useful if you are checking weight — a titanium part will weigh less than a steel part of the same shape, and SolidWorks will calculate that difference once you assign the material.

If you do not see the material you want, scroll down in the category. The library includes dozens of common metals and plastics. If you need a material that is not in the default library, you can create a custom material, but that is a separate step most people do not need.

What happens when you change the material

The part's appearance on screen changes when ready. If you assigned steel (usually gray), the part will look gray. If you switch to red plastic, it turns red. This is just the color SolidWorks shows you — it does not change the actual geometry or dimensions of the part.

The weight also updates if you have a mass properties calculation running. You can see the new weight by going to the top menu, clicking Tools, then Mass Properties. SolidWorks will show you the weight based on the material density and the part's volume. This is why engineers assign materials — to get accurate weight estimates before building a prototype.

If you change your mind, you can right-click the part again and pick a different material. There is no limit to how many times you can swap materials. This is useful when you are exploring whether a lighter material would work, or when you are presenting different design options to a team.

Assigning materials to parts in an assembly

If you have an assembly (multiple parts joined together), you can assign a different material to each part. Right-click each part name in the FeatureManager and select Edit Material separately. This way, a bracket can be steel, a cover can be plastic, and a fastener can be stainless steel — all in the same assembly.

When you calculate mass properties for the whole assembly, SolidWorks adds up the weight of all the parts using their individual materials. This gives you an accurate total weight for the finished product. Many engineers do this before ordering parts or submitting a design for review.

The material assignment is part of the part file, not the assembly file. So if you open that part in a different assembly later, it will still have the material you assigned. If you want to change it just for one assembly, you can edit the material in that assembly without affecting the original part file.

Saving your material choice

After you pick a material, you will see a checkmark button at the bottom of the material panel. Click it to confirm and save the material to the part. If you close the panel without clicking the checkmark, SolidWorks will ask if you want to save the change. Click Yes to keep it, or No to discard it.

Once saved, the material stays with the part file. The next time you open the file, the part will have the same material and color you assigned. If you send the file to a coworker, they will see the same material on their screen.

If you want to remove a material and go back to the default gray appearance, right-click the part and select Edit Material again, then choose No Material from the top of the library. This clears the assignment without deleting the part.

Common reasons the material does not look right

If you assigned a material but the part still looks gray, check that your view mode is set to show materials. At the top of the screen, look for the view buttons (they look like spheres with different shading). Click the one that looks shiny or reflective — usually labeled Shaded with Edges or Shaded. The plain Wireframe view does not show materials at all.

If the color looks washed out or wrong, your monitor brightness or color settings might be affecting how SolidWorks displays it. This is not a problem with the material itself — the file will print and render correctly. If you are preparing images for a presentation, you can adjust the lighting in SolidWorks under View and Lights and Cameras, but that is a separate task.

If the weight calculation seems wrong, make sure the part has a material assigned (not No Material) and that the part's dimensions are correct. A part that is too large or too small will have an incorrect weight even with the right material assigned. Check the part's sketch and features to confirm the size is what you intended.

When you might not need to assign a material

If you are only using SolidWorks to design the shape and do not care about weight or appearance, you do not have to assign a material. The part will work fine with no material assigned — it will just appear gray on screen. Many designers skip this step if they are early in the design phase and only care about geometry.

If you are working with a template or a part that already has a material assigned, you can leave it as is. Changing it is optional unless you have a specific reason — like needing to check weight in a different material, or preparing a rendering for a client.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the material change the part's size or shape?

No. The material assignment only changes the color you see on screen and the weight calculation. The part's dimensions, features, and geometry stay exactly the same. You could assign the same part to be steel, plastic, or titanium, and the shape would not change at all.

Can I create my own custom material?

Yes, but it requires a few extra steps. Right-click the part, select Edit Material, then look for a button or option to create a new material. You will need to enter the material name and density. Most people use the built-in library instead because it covers the common materials used in most designs.

What if I assign a material but it does not show up in the weight calculation?

Make sure you clicked the checkmark to save the material to the part. If the material is assigned but weight is still showing as zero, check that the part's volume is correct by looking at the sketch and features. A part with zero volume will have zero weight regardless of material.

Do I have to assign a material to every part in an assembly?

No. You can assign materials to some parts and leave others with no material. SolidWorks will calculate weight only for the parts that have a material assigned. This is useful if you are still designing some parts and only want to weigh the finished components.

If I change a material, does it affect other files that use this part?

Only if those files reference the same part file. If you open a part file, change its material, and save it, any assembly that uses that part will see the new material. If you want to use the same part with different materials in different assemblies, you need to save separate copies of the part file with different names.