How to Make a Sphere in SOLIDWORKS

Contents

The most common way to make a sphere in SOLIDWORKS is to sketch a half circle and revolve it around a centerline. The Revolved Boss/Base feature turns the 2D profile into a round solid body.

This method is simple, stable, and easy to edit because the sphere diameter is controlled by the sketch dimension.

Creating a centerline for a SOLIDWORKS sphere sketch — Start with a centerline that will become the revolve axis.

Sketch the sphere profile

Start a new part.
Choose a plane and start a sketch.
Draw a vertical centerline through the origin.
Draw a half circle with its flat side on the centerline.
Dimension the radius or diameter.
Trim or close the sketch so it has a valid profile.

Half-circle sketch for a SOLIDWORKS sphere — The profile should be a clean half circle closed against the centerline.

Revolve the profile

Exit the sketch or keep it active.
Click Features > Revolved Boss/Base.
Select the centerline as the axis of revolution.
Set the revolve angle to 360 degrees.
Preview the sphere and accept the feature.

Revolved Boss Base command in SOLIDWORKS — Revolved Boss/Base creates the sphere from the half-circle profile.

Control the sphere size

To change the sphere size later, edit the original sketch and change the radius or diameter dimension. This is more reliable than scaling the finished body because the feature remains driven by the sketch.

Dimensioned sphere sketch in SOLIDWORKS — Use a sketch dimension to control the final sphere diameter.

Make a hollow sphere

To make a hollow sphere, you can use a Thin Feature during the revolve, shell the finished sphere, or revolve a profile that already includes wall thickness. The best option depends on whether you need a simple visual model or a manufacturable hollow part.

Cross-section of a sphere in SOLIDWORKS — A hollow sphere needs wall thickness and a manufacturable opening or split strategy.

Troubleshooting sphere features

The revolve fails: make sure the profile is closed and does not cross the revolve axis.
The result is only a surface: check whether Thin Feature or surface options were enabled.
The sphere has a seam: a revolve creates a seam where the profile closes; this is normal.
The size is wrong: edit the sketch dimension rather than scaling the body.