SolidWorks

[ncardanini]

Hi everyone I got solidworks and all the testing programs for free from my school. I was wondering how the learning cuve was for you and if you guy's have any tips and tricks.

[CRead01]

It is quite easy to use.

the only tip I would have is just jump into it. make a sketch and then just extrude it. try adding some parts to it or cutting some out. play around with it.

[ncardanini]

Did you start out fooling around or with the tutorials because I am struggling on the tutorial that are barely harder than the very basic ones

[CRead01]

the tutorials are very good if you can figure out what buttons they are talking about.
start with some simple ones and work your way around.
The Solidworks class I took did alot of the tutorials but it helps to have an instructor give you a couple of the basics.

[ncardanini]

Thanks, I'm taking the engineering cad class this fall. I was just downloading the software and fooling around to get a head start.

[79-TA]

Try extruding basic shapes along lines. That's a great way to start making tube-based structures.


In the 2d sketches, it is imperative that you learn how to define points and relationships between lines etc. You can fix lengths, relative angles, and all sorts of things that makes sketches easy to manipulate.

[LSx_88_Ciera]

If using the built in tuts and you are not aware of the location of the tool you can click on the icon in the tut and it will highlight the tool in the main window.
It was a bit slow going for me in the beginning but after a bit I familiarized myself with the tool functions and felt as though I was beginning to think in a solidworks manor. It becomes far more intuitive than any other 3d/cad program I have ever used. I found myself using techniques that were not in the tutorials and I have the full DVD set.
Google was my best friend in the very beginning.

[ncardanini]

I'm pretty good with knowing where the tools are and doing 2d drawings, but when I'm switching planes and changing the heights of the planes I get lost. I'm sure it is just because of my lack of experience.

[LSx_88_Ciera]

I find that using a good naming process for planes helps, I either name them based on their placement or what is sketched on them depending on the intricacies of the part.
When based on placement I use the following based on the part origin
Front view
Right plane - right of origin "+[dim]", left of origin "-[dim]"
Top plane - above origin "+[dim]", below origin "-[dim]"
Right view
Front plane - forward/left of origin "+[dim]", behind/right of origin "-[dim]"

It works for me, something else might work better for you but you should come up with a system you will remember, it will help.

[ITLBTU]

do the tutorials until you master each one. The tutorials show what buttons to use while you are going through them.