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Learning to use CAD software (Solidworks).

88keys

88keys

Golden Member
I need to learn CAD software for my job. They mostly use Solidworks so that will be the focus of my training. The plan is to have me start classes shortly after the new year, but I want as much of a head start as possible.

I've never used any kind of CAD software before in my life and the closest thing that I have to this kind of experience is my dabbling in 3D art programs.


What would be some good online resources (video or text) that would help get me started?
 
At my work, the persons who had to learn it took courses where they had to be physically present at first. After that, it is homework assignments such as drawing a one cylinder engine block that can a actually rotate and the piston can move around. Solid works does not just allow the user to draw items, but can actually simulate all kinds of movement in solid works.
After that it is more homework assignments until you got it.
The assignments, i think you have to send in but that depends on the course. It is not cheap, but a tutor/teacher to explain what you do good and what you do wrong is always the best start.
 
There will be a steep learning curve. I recommend getting some third party books to help make sense of work flow and use. Unfortunately, the books written by the software publisher themselves often do a poor job of presenting the information as they tend to be granular.
 
Depends how much you need to know. Are we talking complex assemblies with hundreds of components, or bizarre shapes with lots of curves? Or are you going to be making engineering drawings of existing models, in mostly a drafting sort of role?

I use Pro/Engineer at work.
I was in a total of three college courses that dealt heavily with it, and I can do some pretty fancy things in it. A lot of it hasn't been used at my job, but some of the in-depth knowledge does allow me to be more efficient when using it.


It takes some getting used to.
3d games or 3d art will probably be a little bit useful, but it's more rigid than they are. Everything needs specific dimensions, dimensions are constrained or driven by other dimensions or geometry, shapes or features like holes can be shared across models....

The latter is quite nice. I was working on an assembly that consisted of seven different aluminum extrusions that had to be joined together while fitting within several space constraints. With the models linked together, a change in geometry on one profile would automatically be propagated to the others, which helped ensure that one change wouldn't essentially "break" one of the other components in the assembly. For example, if you've got a pattern of holes that has to match the one on another component, but you're still twiddling with their locations, having the models linked can ensure that the hole positions are always the same on both models. It can really help speed up the design process.
 
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Just start modeling all sorts of shit. You'll constantly run into "how do I do that?" which is the fastest way you'll learn.
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
It depends on how you learn. I absolutely detest blind button pushing.
Click to expand...
"I remember trying it 15 different ways, but I don't remember which way worked."

Or worse, I'll proceed to do it the wrong way several times, but that's the way I'll remember best.
 
Jeff7 said:
"I remember trying it 15 different ways, but I don't remember which way worked."

Or worse, I'll proceed to do it the wrong way several times, but that's the way I'll remember best.
Click to expand...

It really is closely ties to how you learn. Many folks use button pushing because many types of technology promote it. Phones, many computer games, remotes and handheld technology actually incorporate it into their business plan. However, in my opinion, learning complicated and powerful computer programs is NOT the place for it.
 
Solidworks is probably not something you'll find much tutorials on given the price tag, so it might be tough to self learn. Though upon a quick google search there are lot of results, but did not look deeper than that.

I would start by trying to just familiarize yourself with the general work flow and interface. Like different working modes, tool bars, ho how move to different parts of the program etc. I find CAD programs can be hard to learn just by doing button pushing. I took an AutoCAD class in high school, I got pretty good at it, but can't imagine having learned it alone without some initial hand holding. I've been on and off trying to learn Blender but it's harder to self learn even with all the tutorials. It's one thing to follow a tutorial it's another thing to remember how to do something without having to keep referencing stuff. Though the thing with Blender I have the most trouble with is how to make precision stuff, and from reading more into it I think it's just the nature of that style of app, vs something like Autocad which is made for engineering. I imagine Solidworks is probably a bit easier to work precisely given it's geared at engineering more than art.
 
Did a ton of AutoCAD at a previous job but only in 2D. We spent a few weeks on 3D in one college class, I didn't get it at first.

Getting a student copy of the program to play with wouldn't be a bad idea. AutoCAD is over a grand though so it can't be cheap.
 
I did some CAD (mainly 2D) in college. I now draw custom cabinets all day using a program called CabinetVision which is obviously meant to cater to my industry. Back a few years ago you could download a free trial version of AutoCad for 30 days or something. To me I think you need to set up some sort of 2D groundwork before jumping straight into 3D, thats typically how they teach it in school anyway.
 
I know RGun on these forums has designed some intricate 3D models with Solid works. He may have self taught himself as well, not sure. He will elaborate if he sees this thread I'm sure.
 
I'd say Solidworks is pretty easy to learn but hard to master. I'm a senior in aerospace engineering, I never bothered to take any of the Solidworks classes they offer. We had a couple labs that forced us to use Solidworks and I thought it was pretty easy to pick up and learn by myslef. I'd say I'm pretty proficient in it even though I don't have formal training with it.

If you're going to be taking a class I wouldn't worry to much about trying to get ahead now. If you already have access to Solidworks then maybe just familiarize yourself with the workspace. If you don't have access yet then just wait for the class.

EDIT: Also AutoCAD (made my Autodesk) and Solidworks are worlds different, I tried AutoCAD once and it was the WORST program I have ever used. Solidworks is a MILLION times better and more intuitive and is geared much more towards engineering.
 
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If you've had any cad exposure you'll pick it up quickly. The built in tutorials are likely better than the actual training you'll receive. If you have access to the software, there is a very comprehensive tutorial under the help menu.
 
freeskier93 said:
I'd say Solidworks is pretty easy to learn but hard to master. I'm a senior in aerospace engineering, I never bothered to take any of the Solidworks classes they offer. We had a couple labs that forced us to use Solidworks and I thought it was pretty easy to pick up and learn by myslef. I'd say I'm pretty proficient in it even though I don't have formal training with it.

If you're going to be taking a class I wouldn't worry to much about trying to get ahead now. If you already have access to Solidworks then maybe just familiarize yourself with the workspace. If you don't have access yet then just wait for the class.

EDIT: Also AutoCAD (made my Autodesk) and Solidworks are worlds different, I tried AutoCAD once and it was the WORST program I have ever used. Solidworks is a MILLION times better and more intuitive and is geared much more towards engineering.
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If you just pick it up and go you may develop poor practices. If you intend to work with it professionally, classes are likely worth it.
 
zanemoseley said:
I did some CAD (mainly 2D) in college. I now draw custom cabinets all day using a program called CabinetVision which is obviously meant to cater to my industry. Back a few years ago you could download a free trial version of AutoCad for 30 days or something. To me I think you need to set up some sort of 2D groundwork before jumping straight into 3D, thats typically how they teach it in school anyway.
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Based on his background I'm not sure any 2d work would help but if you or anyone else wants 2d cad software to use SolidWorks released a free 2D cad program that's essentially AutoCad 2000 to help people with legacy drawings. It's available free under the name DraftSight.
 
RGUN said:
If you just pick it up and go you may develop poor practices. If you intend to work with it professionally, classes are likely worth it.
Click to expand...

I would agree, personally that's not my area of interest (I've moved more towards electrical/software) so I didn't see much need for formal training in CAD.
 
RGUN said:
If you've had any cad exposure you'll pick it up quickly. The built in tutorials are likely better than the actual training you'll receive. If you have access to the software, there is a very comprehensive tutorial under the help menu.
Click to expand...

this.

CREO is more of a pain then solidworks.
 
RGUN said:
If you just pick it up and go you may develop poor practices. If you intend to work with it professionally, classes are likely worth it.
Click to expand...

At the old job, how often someone used the AutoCAD command bar and keyboard seemed to directly correlate with how competent they were with the program.
 
The biggest question you need to tell us is: Do you have access to the software now or not until class?

If you don't have access to it, tutorials are going to be VERY limited help. Sure, go through them and take notes of things you want to try, but don't expect to learn much. In this case, I'd recommend playing with free 3D modeling software. Many of the basic functions will be the same across all CAD platforms.

Highly recommend blender.
https://www.blender.org/
http://www.freecadweb.org/

If you have access to the software you might as well jump in. Learning curve is very steep, but there's tutorials (good built in ones to boot) and a good community out there.

Heard great things about solidworkszen.
https://www.youtube.com/user/solidworksviewer
https://forum.solidworks.com/welcome

Make sure your BOMs and assembly/sub assembly structure are done properly. This is super important with all CAD stuffs.
 
i have my CSWP cert from DASI.

SW is by far one of the easier to use 3d modelling packages. Buttons for everything, no CLI. Drawig simple shapes is quite easy.
What you learn from training are best practices, where to put orgins on parts, when to use offsets instead of extruding to lenghts. Most of what i am talking about has to do with design intent and something the training will help you understnd.
FWIW, dont waste time trying to learn a package like Autocad in the meantime. While there is 2d cad in SW, its all done parametically. You can easily use geometric relationships to fully define 2d sketches, just a totally different world.
 
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