SolidWorks For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Greg Jankowski (Author), Richard Doyle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470129786 | Publication Date: November 12, 2007 | Edition: 2

Whether it's your first venture into 3D technical drawing software or you're switching to SolidWorks from something else, you're probably excited about what this CAD program has to offer. Chances are, you figure it's going to take awhile to get the hang of it before you can begin cranking out those perfectly precise 3D designs. SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition, can help you dramatically shorten that get-acquainted period!

SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition will help you get up and running quickly on the leading 3D technical drawing software. You'll see how to set up SolidWorks to create the type of drawings your industry requires and how to take full advantage of its legendary 3D features. You'll discover how to:

*Work with virtual prototypes

*Understand the user interface

*Use templates and sketch, assemble, and create drawings

*Automate the drawing process

*Review drawings and collaborate with other team members

*Define and edit sketches

*Create dimensions and annotations

*Print or plot your drawings

*Leverage existing designs

Sample files on the bonus CD-ROM show you how to apply the latest version of SolidWorks and accomplish specific tasks. Even if you're brand-new to CAD software, SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition will have you feeling like a pro in no time. You'll find you've entered a whole new dimension.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Set up SolidWorks to work for your industry

See how to create outstanding designs with SolidWorks' 3D features

Here's how to get a solid foundation in SolidWorks and have fun doing it.Whether it's your first venture into 3D technical drawing software or you're switching to SolidWorks from something else, you'll get the scoop on using templates, putting parts together, creating and automating drawings, collaborating, and turning out great designs.

Discover how to:

*

Work with virtual prototypesUnderstand the user interface

*

Define and edit sketches

*

Create dimensions and annotations

*

Leverage existing designs

*

View and review documents

About the Author

Greg Jankowski is the Customer Satisfaction Manager at SolidWorks corporation. He is a veteran (translation: been doing this longer than he cares to admit) in the CAD industry with experience using SolidWorks, ProEngineer, and Computervision CAD systems in a variety of mechanical design and developmental positions. Greg was the Principal at CIMCO, a SolidWorks Solution Partner since SolidWorks 95.
Greg is the author of the book SolidWorks for AutoCAD Users and the e-book Exploring SolidWorks. In addition, he authored and developed the SolidWorks workstation benchmark. He is also the author of the Cadalyst magazine column “Solid Thinking” and is a regular columnist for the SolidWorks Express newsletter.

Richard Doyle is the User Community Coordinator at SolidWorks, responsible for helping SolidWorks user groups grow and thrive. A SolidWorks user since 1997, Richard has 29 years of experience in the field of mechanical drafting and design, including 22 years spent working with CAD. As one of the original founding members of the SolidWorks User Group Network (SWUGN) committee, Richard has spent a good deal of time helping to keep SolidWorks users informed and educated and enjoying the benefits of working with 3D CAD.

Product Details

• Paperback: 357 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (November 12, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 0470129786
• ASIN: B002DMJTZU
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Graphics & Multimedia > Solid Works

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Sales tool for SW, poor book, November 30, 2005

By 

R. Halter (TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SolidWorks For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

The book spends the first 52 out of 322 pages explaining to the reader how to establish and setup a SW session. It is not until page 81 that it addresses the Feature toolbar. There are a few areas in this book that provides sound engineering design principles for any user, using any 2D or 3D software package. The book is very disappointing with the lack of specific usefully information on using SW and sounds more like a marketing and sales pitch / tool for purchasing SW.

Chapter 10 informs the reader on 10 places to go, to learn SW. I wanted the book to do this!

The enclosed CD includes Case Studies, Customer testimonials and Sales and Marketing hoopla. The CD is totally worthless for someone who purchased the book to learn SW. If I wanted Sales literature, I would have obtained free literature through a VAR.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do not recommend, January 13, 2006

By 

A. Brayyen (Duluth, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SolidWorks For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

I wanted a book that would provide a high level of overall understanding of SW quickly. I am new to SW. I've been teaching AutoCAD for over 4 years. I purchased this book with an understanding of the Dummy series. I was very disappointed with the lack of information for the new user. It seems that the book is targeted towards a user which has a basic understanding of the Software and that needs to understand the changes between the last version and now. I was not amused or informed.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book if You Already Know SolidWorks, November 16, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SolidWorks For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

I have a project that I need to design. It's a simple assembly of a handful of pieces of sheetmetal combined with a few purchased components. It appears that SolidWorks would be a good software package to use in producing the drawings that I need. But I've never used it before so decided to start with this book to see if this was the software package I wanted to buy.

I think this book is aimed, not for the Dummy, but for someone who is already using the product. For instance in Chapter 1 he spends a couple of pages on What's New in SolidWorks 2006. Among the new things is 3D Annotations Views (ASME 14.41-2003). That's good (I guess), but pretty useless for us Dummies. In Chapter 2 he starts by describing eight different types of documents that SolidWorks uses. One of these is 'Macro.' I'm a long ways from needing macros.

In Chapter 3 he starts out saying to sketch out what you need first. Now I'm beginning to understand. But a little more tutorial on taking this sketch and putting it on screen would be good.

Conclusion. Good Book is you already know SolidWorks and want to move on to be a better designer. As for the software, it looks pretty complex to me.