Hey guys,

I've made a few parts and have had them machined successfully. I would consider myself a beginner that learns quickly.

I've been looking to get a book on Solidworks, but there are so many. I was wondering if anyone has gone through the books that are available, and which one would be a good buy for someone just starting out.

Feel free to post your own work, I find this stuff so fascinating. I often find myself looking at parts and trying to figure out how they were designed.

Would love to hear your experiences / ideas / suggestions.

Thanks!

A few parts I have made in Solidworks 2007. Very beginner stuff, I have only played with it a few times, and did the tutorials. Fun stuff!

 

hey I'm glad to see when somebody gets into 3d drawing in solidworks I'm a machanical engineer who is certified in solidworks and have all the books that go along for a cartification from beginer to advanced let me know if you want me to make copys for you.

 

to bad autocad doesnt have 3d

 

The tutorials within the software are actually a pretty good place to start. If you're really interested in it check out your local community college. Many will offer night courses and they're frequently taught by people who work in the field during the day. It's a cheap option for real training.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wreckedrex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The tutorials within the software are actually a pretty good place to start. If you're really interested in it check out your local community college. Many will offer night courses and they're frequently taught by people who work in the field during the day. It's a cheap option for real training.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is something I've been considering. The tutorials are descent, but actually taking a class just can't be beat. I'd love to be more capable at Solidworks, but it's just one of those things that never seem to work into my schedule.

 

auto cad does have 3d you have to have autodesk inventor I know it's a separate software but it's autodesk based and not that hard to draw in 3D but I've used almost all the CAD softwares and solidworks is the best by far as far as ussability.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nick Z32 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">to bad autocad doesnt have 3d </TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bsixteener &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">uto cad does have 3d you have to have autodesk inventor</TD></TR></TABLE>

WTF are you guys talking about? I did tons of 3d in regular *** Autocad 2007 in college. Shitty thing is that I can't remember how to do 3d basically.

 

I just did that, two seconds ago... regular autocad 2007 no inventor... it is the educational edition though (if that matters)

 

the tutorials it comes with is good
i've taken a few classes on solidworks, but my skills are ok. i consider myself a noob.
looks like you got it down and btw what video card are you using?

 

I'm a biomed engineering student, but I'd like to get more into mechanical design. However, I was wondering what's the best CAD program available. I know that's a broad question but you all may answer according to personal experiences or preferences. My university has been hawking Pro-E, and it seems alright from the little I've done but some things in the interface aren't very intuitive. So, I'm interested in what you pro's like.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxsirg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm a biomed engineering student, but I'd like to get more into mechanical design. However, I was wondering what's the best CAD program available. I know that's a broad question but you all may answer according to personal experiences or preferences. My university has been hawking Pro-E, and it seems alright from the little I've done but some things in the interface aren't very intuitive. So, I'm interested in what you pro's like. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It really depends on what company and what field of Mechanical Drafting (CAD) you want to get involved in. The architectural companies like I work for the most Part are using Rivet by AutoDesk the maker of AutoCAD. As far as Mechanical Engineering Companies I don't know mabey someone else could shed some light on those.

 

i can't speak for solidworks because i've never used it but it seems like a lot of big companies use it. my previous company used Pro/E and i'd have to say that it is pretty damn legit as far as engineering goes. now i use Inventor and i think its a joke compared to Pro/E.

another top 3D package is Unigraphics. a lot of car companies use it.

 

I've heard a lot of good things about CATIA, for automotive design.

Anyways, thanks a lot guys. I love reading about this stuff. Just wondering what the best way to get into this is.

That tial 50mm is sick! Looks exactly like it, down to the texture and everything!

Thanks for posting!

 

I went through the drafting program through highschool and then @ a local college and I was way more into the mechanical drawing than architectural. I used AutoCAD 2k6 and Inventor 11. I never took a class on the Inventor, just did some of my drawing in it to try to learn it. My teacher was very good but she just wansnt that good at teaching. The hardest most fun class I took was called "intersections and developments." It was some basic shapes that you had to draw out to scale in 2d, then as you advanced you learned different techniques and it got pretty hard. Unfortunately there isnt a big market for draftsman where I live. I really wish that I had my drawings, I lost my thumb drive that had them on it.

I also did some 3d in AutoCAD 2k7, but it wasnt near as much fun as Inventor.


Modified by josh green at 12:58 PM 10/23/2008

 

im currently at working using 08

the rarely used the books in school, i mainly did everything thought the tutorials, but a really good book i have sitting at my desk is from ModernTech Mechanical, its 2 books Advanced Assembly Modeling and Advanced part Modeling, both are what you would use after the tutorials.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mikey3000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

another top 3D package is Unigraphics. a lot of car companies use it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I use UNIGRAPHICS, designing locomotives, use to desing Street Sweepers. I'd lvoe to get into more aftermarket car parts though.

 

damn that sounds cool.

 

Heres some of my stuff. All self taught.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll prolly try to hone my skills on Pro/E since that's what's available to me on campus. One the best mechanical engineering teachers we had (left in my sophomore year) made the point that once you learn one package you can learn them all...just takes some time to fiddle around with them.

 

i wasn't really a big fan of pro-e, its basicly remove from block, and solidworks is more of an add to block. but yes, they are all the same damn program, in order or complexity, id say solidworks, pro-e, then catia, i never used Unigraphics though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxsirg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm a biomed engineering student, but I'd like to get more into mechanical design. However, I was wondering what's the best CAD program available. I know that's a broad question but you all may answer according to personal experiences or preferences. My university has been hawking Pro-E, and it seems alright from the little I've done but some things in the interface aren't very intuitive. So, I'm interested in what you pro's like. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I am a senior BioMed and every internship or job I've interviewed for at a Biomechanics company has asked me whether or not I know Pro-E...just be glad your program teaches it to you, mine is severely lacking so I am just teaching it to myself.

 

Dont want to hi-jack, but thought this was appropriate in this thread. Where are you guys getting Solidworks? I have AutoCAD, and am decent with it, but Solidworks is where its at.
I understand you probably dont want to post online if you have a _______ (fill in the blank) copy, but email me if you can "help me out". HAHA.
curleysacecars@comcast.net

Thanks!
Kyle

 

Alot of guys are getting the student license....otherwise your looking at about 6,000.00

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RC000E &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Alot of guys are getting the student license....otherwise your looking at about 6,000.00</TD></TR></TABLE>

School computers in the MEM Department have copies...

 

That's really good for a recent starter.

I just started using Solidworks 2008 the last month, designing basic fixtures for gauges and to semi-automate some building processes. I haven't learned to do any but extrude basic shapes and then extrude on top of the base object or extrude cut them to add contours. I learn it as I need to.

I also have AutoCAD 2005 at work, but don't know how to use it yet.