The present work describes a design experience related to a progressive die carried out with Solidworks®. The potential of uses of this software are emphasized pointing its advantages and the needed designer interaction. The graphic power, the ease of doing draws and the simulation capacity are the main characteristics that authors point out. The possibility of checking some parts by FEM allows to assure the functionality of the manufactured designs. Three different learning strategies are proposed: expositive classes, short-time practices and long-time supervised works.