[cob]

can some tell me what is the easiest and fastest way to learn solidworks

[tobyaxis]

There is no easy fast way to learn such a complex software. The only way to learn it is to use it as much as possible and get used to the way the software wants to see things.

BTW: It takes months and years depending on your previous CAD and Solid Modeling Experience.

[4224jax]

Treat it like its a video game, play around with random features to learn as much as possible. Don't immediately start trying to design a part if you don't know a lot of the tools. Its best if you take the time to fiddle around and learn what different tools do, it will make the designing you do later much quicker and pain free. I am also a big fan of hot keys, you can customize to make things easier on you. Also depending on the edition you have try the tutorial if its available. If your on the trial software and just messing around, look into other software packages. solidworks is great but its also an industrial product (meaning $$$). I'm a fan of alibre, plain and simple. also theres cam bam and many others that help you do cad before cam.

--just my thoughts

[dynosor]

BTW: It takes months and years depending on your previous CAD and Solid Modeling Experience.

Years? It took me about 2 months to get to the level of skill displayed in the thread below with no prior software design capability – been a systems guy all my life with designers available to cover the detail:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=533106#post533106

Mostly self taught by being motivated to achieve a design for myself after a hands-on lessons and a dozen phone calls to another self-taught user.

You have to understand that the program uses sketches to define 2D profiles on chosen 3D planes and that these profiles are then used to add or remove material, and Bob's your uncle. I am very far away in capability from the guys that have been detail design engineers for years, but if SW was a foreign language, then I can read and write enough to learn more, but not enough to do poetry.

Once you have cut your teeth, a book or expert advisor will be required to show you how to implement best practices.

[kheri]

Try Solidprofessor

[tobyaxis]

Alibre is pretty close to SW and Cheaper, you may want to try it.

[Like2Trike]

Solidworks is the most intuitive program out there for the basics, the more complex stuff takes more time. Try the tutorials that come with it. I'm still getting used to some of the new functions that you can do with the mouse in the 2010 version, old habits die hard.

[Eclipze]

There is a big difference to learning how to use Solidworks vs how to create parts. Learning solidworks is the easy part. Learning how to create useful models is another thing... and that requires experience. If you "rush" into learning how to use it, you'll probably loose interest due to being too frustrated.

[ger21]

There is a big difference to learning how to use Solidworks vs how to create parts. Learning solidworks is the easy part. Learning how to create useful models is another thing... and that requires experience. If you "rush" into learning how to use it, you'll probably loose interest due to being too frustrated.

For me it's the opposite. I can create parts, but don't know where all the features are, or even what features are available??

The way I learn, is start with the tutorials. Then, start modeling stuff. When you get stuck, use the help file and Google. Learn as you go, learning new features when you need them.

[JeffreyCNY]

Try searching Youtube.com for short videos.

[2wheelferrum07]

if you know someone that is good at it ask him or her to give you a crash course on it.
then make sure you practice with training book on hand.
the best way to learn is by doing so ask lots of questions and have them tell you how they go about solving issues, but make sure you are doing the handling of the PC.
good luck
and tell us how it went.

[mrvinton]

SolidWorks 2009 Tutorial with MultiMedia CD (Perfect Paperback)
~ David C. Planchard (Author), Marie P. Planchard (Author)

Amazon.com for $59. work all the examples and problems and you will become fairly good at it. It takes a long time to get really good with this software. I and my group have been using it for several years and we are always learning new things. Check and see if you any of your local collages teach it and see if there is a local user group if you live a large enough city. Better yet try and start a user group. My best guy can teach someone with no experience at all with 1 hour and have them up and doing simple parts, drawings and assemblies.

Basic stuff but it is a start. I have used the above book for people to use on there own and if you do all all the examples and exercises in the book you will become pretty good. It is not hard it just takes time. The book is geared for someone who know nothing about Solidworks.

[sebtool]

Solidworks for Dummies

I got mine.

[plcamp]

Gerry has a good approach ..... Jump in and get your feet wet, the tutorials are good and give you enough practice and information to keep you moving on to the next topic.


First and utmost would be to figure just what you would really like to do with the software, solids, surfaces, cutter-path, etc. Then target the appropriate tutorial and open the flood gates to the wealth of information offered by SW.

A trip to your local book store is also a good way to self-teach yourself, although beware that all of the books available for this software are not of the same caliber.

Also if you know someone who uses the software you should consider them as a good resource to assist with any problems that you may encounter.

Good luck, and don't get discouraged......

PL Camp

[mrvinton]

I have used that to but I find a book that give you step by step excersize's to be better. The knowledge from dummies is great don't get me wrong. Another good book is Learning and Appying Solidworkworks 2009-2010 Step-by-Step by L.Scott Hanson, Ph.D.
Again can be had at Amazon for $38.65

[sebtool]

I was just looking at the books you mentioned, along with another 50 or so available.
Definitely worth checking into!
Thx

[ME87]

Use the program, plain and simple. It's like learning a new subject in school, you can read about it all you want, but until you use it and have to solve problems using it, you won't be proficient. SolidWorks is a great program and with enough practice you can pretty much model anything that can be manufactured and some things that cant.

[gtdinc]

I have been using SolidWorks since 2000. I have taken many SolidWorks classes. There is no easy way to learn SolidWorks. Classes are the best way, but the tutorials are very good. The VAR you purchased it from should offer basic classes. Remember, SW is feature based and EVERYTHING relies on sketches. You almost always have to start with a sketch to do anything. Fully define your sketches as you go to prevent unintended changes later. Build one feature at a time. One thing I see all the time with newbies to SW, is they try to put everything in one or two sketches to define their part. Start with 2-D sketches on a plane. Stay away from 3-D sketches unless you have a solid background in 3-D graphics. Make lots of features if needed - they can be edited easily and you can roll back the feature tree to add or change something. Learn the basic stuff first, extrude feature, cut feature, revolve, etc. SW is very powerful and I design entire machines in it. By the way, I am a machine designer, not a machinist, but I have to support our CNC tools in the shop so I know both sides of the business.

[mcphill]

I have been using SolidWorks since 2000. I have taken many SolidWorks classes. There is no easy way to learn SolidWorks. Classes are the best way, but the tutorials are very good. The VAR you purchased it from should offer basic classes. Remember, SW is feature based and EVERYTHING relies on sketches. You almost always have to start with a sketch to do anything. Fully define your sketches as you go to prevent unintended changes later. Build one feature at a time. One thing I see all the time with newbies to SW, is they try to put everything in one or two sketches to define their part. Start with 2-D sketches on a plane. Stay away from 3-D sketches unless you have a solid background in 3-D graphics. Make lots of features if needed - they can be edited easily and you can roll back the feature tree to add or change something. Learn the basic stuff first, extrude feature, cut feature, revolve, etc. SW is very powerful and I design entire machines in it. By the way, I am a machine designer, not a machinist, but I have to support our CNC tools in the shop so I know both sides of the business.

I agree with all the above. The one item left out is to learn how to create new planes, and USE THEM! I struggled making "complex" geometry because I didn't understand how to use new sketch planes. Once a co-worker showed me how those work, the detail of my models, and the ease of their creation, became MUCH better. Planes are your Friend! Set them in odd angles, use them to base another plane rotation off of them, etc.

[phoenix911]

Good day, gtdinc

Greetings, I have been looking over this site for a few months first time poster....has some very practical information.

About Solidworks, a structured class is well worth the effort and cost, one thing I have noticed is if the class has very quick pace and very well structured you get more out of it. Its helpful if you have a good basic understanding of it, prior, (sounds like you do).

Or if you learn on your own, you need it to be structured and goal orientated. Stumbling around in it can be a waste of time with little results. You need goals, this is what I am currently doing. Along with training videos from Solidworks

And Solidworks have a very good package called "Stimulus Package" to keep designer/engineers skills hone if they are laid-off. Its basically I believe a 3 months trial of solidworks.


This should help, here is the link

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/esp/eng...s_package.html


p911