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What You Need to Know About SolidWorks: Get SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition PDF
- Who is this book for? - How to use this book? H2: Part I: Getting Started with SolidWorks H3: Chapter 1: Exploring the SolidWorks Interface - The main components of the interface - Customizing the interface - Navigating the 3D space - Using commands and tools H3: Chapter 2: Creating Your First Part - Sketching 2D shapes - Applying dimensions and relations - Extruding and cutting 3D features - Editing and modifying parts H3: Chapter 3: Building on Your Part - Adding fillets, chamfers, and holes - Creating patterns and mirrors - Using reference geometry - Applying materials and colors H3: Chapter 4: Working with Assemblies - What are assemblies and why use them? - Inserting and mating components - Moving and rotating components - Exploding and collapsing assemblies H3: Chapter 5: Creating Drawings - What are drawings and why use them? - Setting up drawing templates and sheets - Inserting views and annotations - Printing and exporting drawings H2: Part II: Going Beyond the Basics H3: Chapter 6: Working with Surfaces - What are surfaces and why use them? - Creating basic surfaces - Trimming and extending surfaces - Converting surfaces to solids and vice versa H3: Chapter 7: Modeling with Splines and Curves - What are splines and curves and why use them? - Sketching splines and curves - Editing and manipulating splines and curves - Using splines and curves in modeling H3: Chapter 8: Using Advanced Features - What are advanced features and why use them? - Creating lofts, sweeps, and boundaries - Using flex, dome, wrap, and indent features - Applying design tables and equations H3: Chapter 9: Working with Sheet Metal - What is sheet metal and why use it? - Creating sheet metal parts - Adding bends, flanges, and corners - Flattening and unfolding sheet metal parts H3: Chapter 10: Running Simulations and Tests - What are simulations and tests and why use them? - Setting up simulation studies - Applying loads and restraints - Running and analyzing results H2: Part III: The Part of Tens H3: Chapter 11: Ten Tips for Better Modeling - Use a consistent naming convention - Organize your feature tree - Use configurations and display states ... H3: Chapter 12: Ten Resources for Further Learning - SolidWorks website - SolidWorks User Forum - DraftSight 2D CAD - ... Table 2: Article with HTML formatting SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Experts
If you're looking for a powerful, yet easy-to-use 3D product development solution that can help you create, collaborate, and deliver innovative product experiences, then you've come to the right place. SolidWorks is one of the most popular CAD software in the world, trusted by millions of engineers and designers across various industries. Whether you're a beginner who wants to learn the basics of SolidWorks, or an expert who wants to master the advanced features of SolidWorks, this book is for you.
SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition.pdf
Introduction
In this introduction, you'll learn what SolidWorks is and why you should use it, who this book is for, and how to use this book effectively.
What is SolidWorks and why use it?
SolidWorks is a 3D CAD software that allows you to design, model, simulate, and document your products in a realistic and intuitive way. With SolidWorks, you can create anything from simple parts to complex assemblies, from mechanical devices to electrical systems, from sheet metal to plastic molds, and more. You can also run various simulations and tests on your designs to ensure their performance, quality, and safety. And you can generate professional-looking drawings and reports to communicate your ideas and solutions to others.
Some of the benefits of using SolidWorks are:
It's easy to learn and use. SolidWorks has a user-friendly interface that guides you through the design process, and provides you with helpful tips, tutorials, and examples. You can also customize the interface to suit your preferences and workflow.
It's powerful and versatile. SolidWorks has a wide range of features and tools that can handle any design challenge, from simple sketches to complex surfaces, from parametric modeling to direct editing, from static analysis to fluid dynamics, and more. You can also extend the functionality of SolidWorks with various add-ins and plug-ins that cater to specific needs and applications.
It's collaborative and compatible. SolidWorks allows you to work with other people on the same project, either online or offline, and share your data and feedback easily. You can also import and export your files in various formats, such as DWG, DXF, IGES, STEP, STL, PDF, and more, to ensure compatibility with other software and systems.
Who is this book for?
This book is for anyone who wants to learn or improve their skills in SolidWorks, regardless of their level of experience or background. Whether you're a student, a hobbyist, a professional, or a teacher, you'll find this book useful and informative. This book covers the latest version of SolidWorks, which is SolidWorks 2023, but most of the concepts and techniques are also applicable to previous versions of SolidWorks.
This book assumes that you have some basic knowledge of computers and Windows operating system, but no prior experience with SolidWorks or any other CAD software is required. If you're new to SolidWorks, you'll learn the basics of SolidWorks in Part I of this book. If you're already familiar with SolidWorks, you'll learn the advanced features of SolidWorks in Part II of this book. And if you want some quick tips and resources for further learning, you'll find them in Part III of this book.
How to use this book?
This book is divided into three parts:
Part I: Getting Started with SolidWorks. This part introduces you to the SolidWorks interface and shows you how to create your first part, assembly, and drawing. You'll learn the basic concepts and skills of SolidWorks, such as sketching, extruding, cutting, mating, inserting views, adding dimensions, applying materials, and more.
Part II: Going Beyond the Basics. This part takes you to the next level of SolidWorks and shows you how to use the advanced features of SolidWorks, such as surfaces, splines, curves, lofts, sweeps, boundaries, flexes, domes, wraps,... Part III: The Part of Tens. This part gives you ten tips for better modeling and ten resources for further learning. You'll learn some best practices and tricks for improving your productivity and quality in SolidWorks, as well as some websites, books, videos, courses, forums, blogs, podcasts,... that can help you expand your knowledge and skills in SolidWorks.
You can read this book from cover to cover if you want a comprehensive overview of SolidWorks, or you can jump to any chapter or section that interests you if you want a specific topic or solution. Each chapter is organized into sections that explain the concepts and demonstrate the steps with screenshots and examples. You can also follow along with the exercises at the end of each chapter to practice what you've learned and test your understanding.
Part I: Getting Started with SolidWorks
In this part...
Possible continuation: In this part, you'll get familiar with the SolidWorks interface and learn how to create your first part, assembly, and drawing. You'll learn the basic concepts and skills of SolidWorks, such as sketching, extruding, cutting, mating, inserting views, adding dimensions, applying materials, and more.
Part II: Going Beyond the Basics. This part takes you to the next level of SolidWorks and shows you how to use the advanced features of SolidWorks, such as surfaces, splines, curves, lofts, sweeps, boundaries, flexes, domes, wraps, indents, design tables, equations, sheet metal, simulations, and more. You'll learn how to create more complex and realistic models and test their functionality and performance.
Part III: The Part of Tens. This part gives you ten tips for better modeling and ten resources for further learning. You'll learn some best practices and tricks for improving your productivity and quality in SolidWorks, as well as some websites, books, videos, courses, forums, blogs, podcasts,... that can help you expand your knowledge and skills in SolidWorks.
You can read this book from cover to cover if you want a comprehensive overview of SolidWorks, or you can jump to any chapter or section that interests you if you want a specific topic or solution. Each chapter is organized into sections that explain the concepts and demonstrate the steps with screenshots and examples. You can also follow along with the exercises at the end of each chapter to practice what you've learned and test your understanding.
Chapter 1: Exploring the SolidWorks Interface
In this chapter, you'll learn about the main components of the SolidWorks interface and how to customize them to suit your needs. You'll also learn how to navigate the 3D space and use commands and tools in SolidWorks.
The main components of the interface
The SolidWorks interface consists of several elements that help you access and control various functions and features of the software. The following image shows the main components of the interface:
 Here's a brief description of each component:
The menu bar at the top of the window contains menus that provide access to various commands and options. You can also right-click on any menu item to customize it or add it to a toolbar.
The toolbars below the menu bar contain buttons that provide shortcuts to frequently used commands and tools. You can customize the toolbars by adding or removing buttons, resizing or repositioning them, or creating new toolbars.
The CommandManager below the toolbars is a context-sensitive toolbar that changes according to the document type or mode that you are working in. It contains tabs that group related commands and tools into categories. You can customize the CommandManager by adding or removing tabs or buttons.
The ConfigurationManager on the left side of the window allows you to create, select, and view multiple configurations of parts and assemblies in a document. A configuration is a variation of a model that has different dimensions, features, properties, or custom properties. You can use configurations to create different versions of a model without having to create multiple files.
The PropertyManager on the left side of the window displays the properties and options for the current command or tool. You can use the PropertyManager to specify parameters, select entities, apply settings, and preview results.
The FeatureManager design tree on the left side of the window provides an outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing. It shows the features, components, sketches, dimensions, relations, configurations, and other elements that make up the model or document. You can use the FeatureManager design tree to edit, reorder, suppress, hide, or delete elements.
The flyout FeatureManager design tree on the right side of the window allows you to view both the FeatureManager design tree and the PropertyManager at the same time. You can use the flyout FeatureManager design tree to select elements without leaving the PropertyManager.
The graphics area in the center of the window displays and lets you manipulate your model or document. You can use various tools and commands to create, modify, view, measure, and analyze your model or document in the graphics area.
The heads-up view toolbar at the top of the graphics area contains buttons that control the display and orientation of your model or document. You can use the heads-up view toolbar to zoom, pan, rotate, change views, apply display styles, and more.
The SOLIDWORKS Search at the top right corner of the window allows you to search for various items in SOLIDWORKS, such as commands, files, models, help topics, and online resources. You can use SOLIDWORKS Search to quickly find and access what you need.
The Help flyout menu at the top right corner of the window provides access to various help resources for SOLIDWORKS, such as online help, tutorials, forums, feedback, and more. You can use the Help flyout menu to learn more about SOLIDWORKS and get support.
The task pane on the right side of the window provides access to various SOLIDWORKS resources and libraries. You can use the task pane to browse and insert components from Toolbox or 3D ContentCentral, drag views onto drawing sheets from View Palette, access SOLIDWORKS resources and online help from SOLIDWORKS Resources, and more.
The status bar at the bottom of the window provides information related to the function that you are performing. You can use the status bar to view messages, coordinates, units, filters, selection modes, and more.
The Instant3D feature allows you to quickly create and modify model geometry using drag handles and rulers. You can use Instant3D to adjust dimensions, features, and components interactively in the graphics area.
Customizing the interface
One of the advantages of SolidWorks is that you can customize the interface to suit your preferences and workflow. You can change the appearance, position, size, and content of various interface elements, such as toolbars, menus, tabs, buttons, and more. You can also create your own interface elements, such as macros, shortcuts, mouse gestures, and more.
Some of the ways you can customize the interface are:
Right-click on any menu item or toolbar button to add it to a toolbar or remove it from a toolbar.
Right-click on any toolbar or CommandManager tab to show or hide toolbars or tabs.
Drag any toolbar or CommandManager tab to reposition it or dock it to a different location.
Right-click on any toolbar or CommandManager tab and select Customize to open the Customize dialog box, where you can access more options for customizing the interface.
Click Tools > Options to open the Options dialog box, where you can change various system options and document properties that affect the behavior and appearance of SolidWorks.
You can also save your customized interface settings as a registry file (.sldreg) and load them on another computer or share them with other users. To do this, click Tools > Save/Restore Settings and follow the instructions in the Copy Settings Wizard.
Navigating the 3D space
When working with 3D models in SolidWorks, you need to be able to navigate the 3D space and view your model from different angles and perspectives. You can use various tools and commands to control the display and orientation of your model in the graphics area.
Some of the tools and commands you can use are:
The Zoom tool lets you zoom in or out of your model by dragging a box around an area or by moving your mouse wheel. You can also double-click on any feature or component in the FeatureManager design tree to zoom to fit it in the graphics area.
The Pan tool lets you move your model in any direction by holding down the Ctrl key and dragging with your mouse. You can also press the arrow keys on your keyboard to pan your model incrementally.
The Rotate tool lets you rotate your model around any axis by holding down the middle mouse button and dragging with your mouse. You can also press the Alt key and an arrow key on your keyboard to rotate your model around a fixed axis.
The View Selector tool lets you select a standard view or a custom view of your model by clicking on a cube that shows a preview of each view. You can also press the spacebar on your keyboard to open the View Selector dialog box, where you can access more options for viewing your model.
The heads-up view toolbar lets you change the view orientation, display style, perspective mode, scene, magnification, and more.
The mouse lets you interact with your model or document by selecting, dragging, dropping, clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking, and using the mouse wheel. You can also use mouse gestures to access commands by holding down the right mouse button and moving the mouse in a certain direction.
The keyboard lets you enter text, numbers, symbols, and commands by typing on the keyboard. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to access commands by pressing a combination of keys.
Using commands and tools
There are many commands and tools in SolidWorks that allow you to create and modify your model or document. You can access these commands and tools from various sources, such as menus, toolbars, CommandManager tabs, PropertyManager pages, context toolbars, context menus, mouse gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and more.
Some of the ways you can access commands and tools are:
Click on a menu item or a toolbar button to activate a command or tool. For example, click File > New to create a new document, or click Sketch on the Sketch toolbar to start a sketch.
Click on a CommandManager tab to switch to a different category of commands and tools. For example, click the Features tab to access the features tools, or click the Evaluate tab to access the evaluation tools.
Click on a PropertyManager page to specify the properties and options for the current command or tool. For example, click on the Extrude PropertyManager page to set the parameters for an extrude feature, or click on the Dimension PropertyManager page to set the properties for a dimension.
Right-click on an entity in the graphics area or the FeatureManager design tree to display a context toolbar or a context menu that contains relevant commands and tools. For example, right-click on a face to display a context toolbar that contains commands such as Normal To, Edit Sketch, Edit Feature, and more. Or right-click on a feature to display a context menu that contains commands such as Edit Feature, Suppress, Rollback, and more.
Hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse in a certain direction to display a mouse gesture wheel that contains commands and tools that you can select by releasing the mouse button. For example, hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse up to display a mouse gesture wheel that contains commands such as Smart Dimension, Line, Circle, and more.
Press a combination of keys on the keyboard to activate a keyboard shortcut. For example, press Ctrl+N to create a new document, or press S to display the shortcut toolbar that contains commands and tools related to the current context.
You can also customize the commands and tools that are available from various sources, such as menus, toolbars, CommandManager tabs, context toolbars, context menus, mouse gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and more. To do this, click Tools > Customize and select the appropriate tab in the Customize dialog box.
Summary
In this chapter, you learned about the main components of the SolidWorks interface and how to customize them to suit your needs. You also learned how to navigate the 3D space and use commands and tools in SolidWorks.
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