SolidWorks For Dummies E-Book

Greg Jankowski

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 439

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

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. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Leseprobe

SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition

by Greg Jankowski and Richard Doyle

SolidWorks For Dummies, 2nd Edition®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone]. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, [phone], fax [phone], or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions

Trademarks: Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, A Reference for the Rest of Us!, The Dummies Way, Dummies Daily, The Fun and Easy Way, Dummies.com, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

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ISBN: 978-0-470-12978-4

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

About the Authors

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.

Dedications

Greg Jankowski: This book is dedicated to the three women in my life, my wife Sandy and daughters Alexis and Kaitlyn, who continue to put up with me and my crazy projects. I appreciate their patience, love, and understanding.

I also want to dedicate this book to all the hard-working folks at SolidWorks. It continues to be my pleasure to work with some of the best, hardest-working, and brightest folks in the industry.

Richard Doyle: This book is dedicated to the SolidWorks User Group Network (SWUGN) committee and all the SolidWorks user group leaders. These hard-working volunteers spend a lot of their own time making sure that fellow SolidWorks users have an outlet for networking and learning and for sharing information about SolidWorks and mechanical engineering.

Authors’ Acknowledgments

Thanks to Ricky Jordan, who did the technical editing for this edition. Ricky’s careful attention to detail and vast knowledge of SolidWorks made him the perfect choice.

Thanks to Greg Jankowski, who allowed me the opportunity to update this book for SolidWorks 2008.

Special thanks to Becky Huehls, project editor, who offered encouragement and advice and showed remarkable patience during this entire process.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editor: Rebecca Huehls

Acquisitions Editor: Kyle Looper

Copy Editor: Rebecca Whitney

Technical Editor: Ricky Jordan

Editorial Manager: Leah P. Cameron

Media Project Supervisor: Laura Moss-Hollister

Editorial Assistant: Amanda Foxworth

Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case

Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services

Project Coordinator: Erin Smith

Layout and Graphics: Claudia Bell,Melissa K. Jester, Stephanie D. Jumper, Christine Williams

Proofreaders: ConText Editorial Services, Inc.,John Greenough

Indexer: Sherry Massey

Anniversary Logo Design: Richard Pacifico

Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies

Richard Swadley, Vice President and Executive Group Publisher

Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher

Mary Bednarek, Executive Acquisitions Director

Mary C. Corder, Editorial Director

Publishing for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher

Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Contents

Title

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You’re Not to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I : Beginning the SolidWorks Journey

Chapter 1: Getting to Know (And Love) SolidWorks

Exploring the SolidWorks Advantage

Getting Your System Ready for SolidWorks

Keeping Your Computer Happy

Starting Up SolidWorks the First Time

Checking Out the Features

Chapter 2: Taking Control of SolidWorks

Working with SolidWorks Documents

Creating and Opening a Document

Working with Templates

Understanding the User Interface

Getting a Better View of Things

Exploring the SolidWorks Help Menu

Customizing the User Interface

Defining SolidWorks System Options

Chapter 3: Building Blocks for the Virtual Prototype

Planning and Capturing Design Intent (Or, Think First and Then Do)

Applying Layouts and Design Skeletons

Part II : Design Intent and the Virtual Prototype

Chapter 4: Do What I Mean, Not What I Sketch

Making and Editing a Sketch

Defining the Sketch

Chapter 5: Making Better Parts

Introducing Part Features

Working with the Features Toolbar

Creating Sketched Features

Making Applied Features

Designing Pattern and Mirror Features

Building a Part

Building a Better Part

Knowing How Much to Model

Chapter 6: Putting It All Together

Creating and Modifying the Assembly

Understanding Your Mates

Working with Your Virtual Prototype

Part III : The Devil’s in the “Drawing” Details

Chapter 7: Creating Drawings

Becoming Familiar with Drawing Elements

Opening a New Drawing Document

Editing the Drawing Sheet Format

Placing the Drawing Views

Changing View Properties

Creating Drawing Dimensions

Adding Reference Annotations

Checking Spelling

Defining Drawing Tables

Chapter 8: Speeding It Up: Automating the Drawing

Planning for the Drawing

Inserting Model Items

Managing Drawing Clutter with Layers

Automating Drawing Creation

Working with Dimension Favorites

Creating the Drawing Template

Chapter 9: Changes, Changes, Changes

Changing the Design

Getting Information from Your Design

Chapter 10: Leveraging Your Existing Designs

Maintaining Old Drawing Files

Managing Configurations

Chapter 11: Printing and Plotting

Delving into Printing and Plotting

Installing a Printer in Windows

Setting Printer and Document Preferences in Windows

Choosing Print Options in SolidWorks

Printing a Document

Part IV : Playing Nicely with Others (And Picking Up Your Toys)

Chapter 12: Managing the Clutter

Managing Data with or without a Net

Managing Your Data Manually

Copying Files with SolidWorks Explorer

Chapter 13: Collaborating with Team Members

Keeping Everyone on the Same Page When Collaborating

Exploring Standard Design Elements

Working with Different File Formats

Chapter 14: Viewing and Reviewing Documents

Viewing with CAD Viewers

Sharing Models and Data with eDrawings

Using the SolidWorks Viewer

Including SolidWorks Documents in Your Presentations

Part V : The Part of Tens

Chapter 15: Ten Tips for Becoming More Proficient with SolidWorks

Go to Class (Formal Training)

Be Creative (Nontraditional Training)

Check Local Reseller Events

Join a User Group

Aspire to Be a Superuser

Network Virtually: The Discussion Forum

Take the CSWP Test

Document Your CAD Standards

Communicate Design Standards

Manage SolidWorks Well

Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Extend and Reuse Your Design Information

Show Off Your Model with Microsoft OLE

Share Models with SolidWorks 3D Instant Website

Spice Up Model Images with PhotoWorks

Simulate Movement with SolidWorks Motion Studies

Share Design Info with PDMWorks Workgroup

Test a Design with COSMOSWorks Analysis

Check Out Models’ Moves with COSMOSMotion

Automate Tasks with the API and Macros

Schedule the Intensive Work with SolidWorks Task Scheduler

Find Various Manufacturing Software

Chapter 17: Ten Resources for the SolidWorks Community

SolidWorks and COSMOS User Groups

The SolidWorks Web Site

The SolidWorks Express Newsletter

The SolidWorks Customer Portal

The Certified SolidWorks Professional Program

3D ContentCentral

The SolidWorks Manufacturing Network

SolidWorks Solution Partners

SolidWorks Resellers

The SolidWorks Educational Community

Appendix: About the CD

System Requirements

Using the CD

What You Find on the CD

Troubleshooting

: Further Reading

Part I

Beginning the SolidWorks Journey

In this part . . .

Beginning the journey into 3D can seem daunting. It’s not that bad — honest. In fact, it can be fun. This part introduces you to SolidWorks. You find out about some of the new features in SolidWorks 2008 as well as how to set up SolidWorks before you start your first design project. You also delve into the topics of design layout and intent.