Whether you are a new user of SolidWorks or a professional who wants to improve your skills, this book was written for you. Learning any software can be difficult at times. You launch the software for the first time, and you feel overwhelmed, not knowing how to even start a new document. In 3D CAD programs, it can be especially difficult. Many times a whole new vocabulary and a whole new creative environment are introduced.
In this book, you will learn how to use the software—it covers everything from what you see when you open SolidWorks for the first time to 3D solid modeling and to how to create high-resolution renderings of the desk-top lamp that you will create by following the examples. With plain-English step-by-step tutorials, you will create 3D parts, assemblies, and drawings. Not only will you learn how to create models and drawings, but you will be introduced to some of the reasons why certain techniques are used and how to put them to use in your daily job.
As with previous releases, SolidWorks 2010 has introduced many new tools and commands to make your daily life easier. You will be introduced to the new tools in parts, assemblies, and drawings, including the new mouse gesture support, the changes to reference planes, the Dimension Palette in drawings, and many more. You will also learn how to create various templates and how to customize your workspace, all meant to increase your productivity. Although many of the more advanced modeling techniques are not covered in this book, any level of user will still be able to find something new about the software.
At the end of it all, you’ll use the model of the lamp to create photorealistic renderings using the newly updated PhotoView 360. In 2010, PhotoView 360 was updated with even more tools to create renderings rivaling that of PhotoWorks. With new ways of controlling scenes, support for background images and custom environments, and new camera effects, you can create images that bring your models to life. As with all the chapters in the book, you will learn how to create
your own images with step-by-step tutorials.
What You Will Learn in This Book
Each chapter was written to gradually introduce new tools and concepts as the design progresses. Each subsequent chapter will describe progressively more advanced techniques. Specifically, the book is structured as follows:
Chapter 1 describes the SolidWorks user interface, including the menus and toolbars, the CommandManager, the FeatureManager design tree. You’ll also learn about ways to improve productivity with shortcut keys and mouse gestures.
In Chapter 2, you will learn the basics of using SolidWorks, including the various document types, how they relate to each other, and how parts, assemblies, and drawings are created.
In Chapter 3, you will create your first 3D model of the lamp base. You will learn how to create a fully defined sketch and how to use it to create extrusions that form the model.
In Chapter 4, using the model created in Chapter 3, you will create a 2D drawing suitable for manufacturing using a variety of drawing methods, including importing annotations from the model, using the Dimension Palette to tolerance a dimension, and creating various drawing view types.
Chapter 5 will demonstrate how to create the shaft for the lamp base by using a revolved feature.
Chapter 6 will continue to explore the revolve command to create a washer and washer cover for the lamp shade. Then, after creating the two models, you will learn how to create your first assembly, and you will be introduced to assembly mates.
In Chapter 7, using the assembly created in Chapter 6, you will create an assembly drawing and learn the basics of how to use a bill of materials (BOM).
In Chapter 8, you will learn even more modeling techniques, including how to create a swept feature, add reference planes, and use mirrored features. You will even learn how to create a modeled thread on the part.
Chapter 9 will show you how to create in-context models within a subassembly when you create the lamp’s shade. More assembly mates will then be demonstrated when you create multiple configurations to define the shade’s positions.
Chapter 10 will demonstrate some of the methods used to modify existing SolidWorks documents using a variety of techniques.
In Chapters 11 and 12, you will put everything together to create the top-level assembly of the desk lamp. After creating the assembly, you will learn how to add a BOM to the environment as well as create an exploded view of the top-level assembly to see how it all goes together.
Chapter 13 will show you how to create the final drawing for the desk lamp project and some additional drawing techniques meant to increase productivity.
In Chapter 14, you will learn various techniques for sharing your model and drawings with other users, manufactures, vendors, and sales teams.
Chapters 15 and 16 will describe the process for creating your own templates in SolidWorks.
Chapter 17 will introduce you to PhotoView 360 and will show you how to create photorealistic renderings of the desk lamp using new enhancements in the rendering software.
At the end of the book is a glossary of terms that are used in the book and that are related to SolidWorks and mechanical design, followed by an index.
Ordering
ISBN: 978-0-470-50543-4
$39.99 us / $47.99 can / £26.99 UK
Available online at:
♦ Amazon
♦ Barnes & Noble
♦ Borders
Get more information at www.sybex.com/g/solidworks2010ner
As with previous releases, SolidWorks 2010 has introduced many new tools and commands to make your daily life easier. You will be introduced to the new tools in parts, assemblies, and drawings, including the new mouse gesture support, the changes to reference planes, the Dimension Palette in drawings, and many more. You will also learn how to create various templates and how to customize your workspace, all meant to increase your productivity. Although many of the more advanced modeling techniques are not covered in this book, any level of user will still be able to find something new about the software.
At the end of it all, you’ll use the model of the lamp to create photorealistic renderings using the newly updated PhotoView 360. In 2010, PhotoView 360 was updated with even more tools to create renderings rivaling that of PhotoWorks. With new ways of controlling scenes, support for background images and custom environments, and new camera effects, you can create images that bring your models to life. As with all the chapters in the book, you will learn how to create
