SolidWorks 2010: No Experience Required

The only continuous, step-by-step tutorial for SolidWorks

SolidWorks is a 3D CAD manufacturing software package that has been used to design everything from aerospace robotics to bicycles. This book teaches beginners to use SolidWorks through a step-by-step tutorial, letting you build, document, and present a project while you learn.

Tools and functionality are explained in the context of professional, real-world tasks and workflows. You will learn the essential functions and gain the skills to use the software at once.

• SolidWorks is a popular design software for manufacturing, and this book introduces it in the context of actually creating an object
• Begins with an overview of SolidWorks conventions and the interface
• Explains how to create models and drawings, create a revolved part and subassembly, and model parts within a subassembly
• Explores modification capabilities and drawing and Bill of Materials templates
• Moves on to top-level assembly models and drawings, Toolbox components and the Design Library, mates, export and printing capabilities, and creating renderings
• Includes a glossary, a foreword from the SolidWorks product manager, and downloadable tutorial files

SolidWorks 2010: No Experience Required quickly turns beginners into confident users of SolidWorks.

SolidWorks 2010: No Experience Required is the perfect hands-on, step-by-step introduction to this very popular 3D CAD software. Through a continuous, easy-to-follow tutorial, you'll learn SolidWorks by planning and developing a desk lamp, from modeling to drawing to creating the Bill of Materials. Follow the tutorial sequentially or jump in at any chapter by downloading the drawing files from www.sybex.com/go/solidworks2010ner. Either way, you'll get a thorough grounding in SolidWorks and see real progress as you quickly master tasks and create a final, presentation-worthy rendering of your design.

• Create your first part, the lamp base, and use Instant3D to improve productivity
• Add dimensions, tolerances, and a detailed view—and produce your first drawing
• See how to create a revolved part with threading as you make the lamp's shaft
• Model a plastic washer and learn how to create an assembly from a part
• Examine Bills of Materials (BOMs), build one, and add item balloons
• Design a lampshade, add components from the Design Library, and create an exploded view
• Put it all together and produce a top-level assembly drawing
• Apply materials and environment and create a stunning rendering

Create 2D drawings that tell the whole story

Make stunning photo-realistic renderings of your designs

Build excellent real-world assemblies

Alex R. Ruiz is a Certified SolidWorks Professional and engineering manager for a leading medical device manufacturer. He designs new products and trains and supports over 100 SolidWorks users. Alex has close ties to the SolidWorks development team and is very well known in the SolidWorks community as "the SolidWorks geek," which is the name of his blog (www.TheSWGeek.com).

Gabi Jack is a Certified SolidWorks Professional and mechanical engineer who maintains a popular blog about solid modeling, design, and engineering (www.GabiJack.com).