Using SOLIDWORKS to Design a Layout for a Chicken Run

In engineering and design, early-stage spatial planning is critical, not only for visualizing a concept but also for ensuring functionality, collaboration, and material efficiency. While SOLIDWORKS is often associated with mechanical design, its layout and assembly capabilities make it equally valuable in planning non-traditional projects.

A recent example involved designing an addition to a backyard chicken coop and run. Although modest in scale, this project highlighted how digital layout tools can be used to plan efficiently, communicate clearly with stakeholders, and support long-term maintainability—even in residential or hobbyist contexts.

Why Start with a Layout in SOLIDWORKS?

Creating a layout in SOLIDWORKS serves as a foundational step in any space planning initiative, whether for an industrial workspace, a production line, or in this case, a backyard enclosure. Key benefits include:

1. Defining the available area: Begin with a top-down 2D sketch to understand the spatial limits of the project. Identify fixed structures—such as fences, trees, roads, driveways or buildings that must be worked around.
2. Segmenting functional zones: Use layout sketches to define areas for different functions—such as electrical, plumbing and other important features.  These can later be referenced for more detailed modeling.
3. Reference sketches for design continuity: Convert layout sketches into Reference Sketches (via right-click) to maintain visual and geometric alignment throughout the design process.

In the accompanying image, the existing coop and run were modeled in SOLIDWORKS as a layout sketch to establish the current structures. This process defines the existing and available space. Although the materials in this section are not required for the new addition, the components in this area can be marked as excluded from the bill of materials. Should this area need reconstruction in the future, the information will be readily accessible.

Using layout sketch like this can be a great visual aid to assess space. It also serves a second purpose, as you can use it to mate components in an assembly. 

Enhancing Collaboration Through Visual Communication

A digital layout reduces ambiguity, particularly when working with multiple collaborators. In this case, having a digital representation reduced the need for a lot of hand waving at the build site, and saying things like "So are you envisioning it?"

 SOLIDWORKS allows for:

• Clear, up-to-date communication of design intent.
• Easy iteration and visualization of proposed changes.
• Streamlined review processes, especially with remote collaborators or fabricators.

Another tool that you might want to check out is the 3DEXPIRIENCE Platform by Dassault.

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform integrates people, processes, and data, facilitating the sharing of insights and active participation throughout the innovation process. It achieves this by offering a cloud-based environment where teams can collaborate in real-time, exchanging ideas and information. By consolidating all business aspects into a single platform, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enhances collaboration, streamlines execution, and accelerates innovation. You can learn more about here on our website. 

Transitioning to Assemblies and Component Planning

Once your layout is ready, switch over to the Assembly environment to start adding components—lumber, fencing, doors, hardware, and even a few mock people (or chickens in my case!). This not only helps with visualizing the final build but also lays the groundwork for creating a Bill of Materials (BOM).

You can create a BOM in your assembly file and carry it over to a drawing file. Or you can create in the drawing. Remember to use File Properties to add metadata to your files, so that you can import them to use as properties in your BOM. You can capture things like weight, material, finish, etc.  In the BOM here, the total length of wire needed for the project was captured using an equation. Now I know how much to approximately buy. Remember this is an estimate as actual dimensions might differ slightly. 

This can also be useful for flooring. By drawing up your space in SOLIDWORKS, you will be able to better gauge anything from tile, laminate, wood, vinyl, etc, that you will need to complete a project. 

This workflow provides several advantages:

1. Bill of Materials (BOM) generation: Components added to the assembly automatically populate a BOM, which can be refined to include cut lengths, materials, and quantities. This makes projecting your material needs way easier and can help avoid overbuying or mid-project runs to the store.
2. Equations and parametric control: You can even set up a column to include costs of materials, which can be useful when planning a budget. A simple equation can be set up to create a sum of all the necessary components. 
3. Multiple Mate Mode: This feature is particularly efficient when aligning several parts simultaneously, such as vertical supports or repeating structural members.

Ergonomics and Equipment Placement

Using digital layouts can significantly enhance your ability to anticipate how a space will be utilized, allowing for a more strategic approach to design and planning. By visualizing the layout in a digital format, you can assess whether there is sufficient room for doors to open fully without obstruction, ensuring that pathways remain clear and accessible. This foresight is crucial in determining if people can easily navigate through tighter spaces without congestion or discomfort.

Furthermore, digital layouts enable you to evaluate the flow of a room comprehensively, facilitating the optimal arrangement of furniture or equipment. This not only improves the ergonomics of a space but also enhances its functionality and user experience. By considering these factors early in the design process, you can create environments that are both efficient and comfortable, ultimately leading to more successful and user-friendly spaces.

Creating Walkthroughs of Your Space 

Creating a walkthrough in SOLIDWORKS allows stakeholders to experience the space from a first-person perspective. This is especially useful in environments where space is constrained or user interaction is critical. To create a walkthrough, go to the DisplayManager— its one of the tabs located by the FeatureManager Design Tree. Under the Scenes, Lights, and Cameras page, you will see the option for Walkthrough. Walkthroughs are great way to get an immersive perspective, and allows you to explore the layout. You can use the buttons available on the screen to navigate, or use the arrow keys on your keyboard. 

Conclusion

This small-scale application vividly illustrates that the spatial planning and layout workflows facilitated by SOLIDWORKS are not only scalable but also remarkably versatile, adapting seamlessly to a wide array of project sizes and complexities. These workflows are equally effective in managing the intricate demands of large-scale industrial projects, such as the design and optimization of factory floors, as they are in addressing the nuanced requirements of smaller, functional, real-world builds, like a backyard chicken coop.

By employing a structured CAD approach, designers and engineers can achieve superior outcomes across various stages of a project, from the initial design phase through to construction and long-term usability. This method ensures that every aspect of the project is meticulously planned and executed, leading to enhanced efficiency, reduced material waste, and improved collaboration among involved parties. Ultimately, whether the task at hand involves the expansive layout of a manufacturing facility or the detailed planning of a residential structure, SOLIDWORKS provides the tools necessary to deliver projects that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable and adaptable to future needs.