Commands Guide Tutorial for Solidworks 2010

Book excerpt: The Commands Guide Tutorial for SolidWorks 2010 is a comprehensive reference book written to assist beginner to intermediate users of SolidWorks. SolidWorks is an immense software package, and no one book can cover all topics for all users. The book provides a centralized reference location to address many of the System and Document properties, FeatureManagers, PropertyManagers, ConfigurationManagers and RenderManagers along with 2D and 3D Sketch tools, Sketch entities, 3D Feature tools, Motion Study, SustainabilityXpress, DFMXpress, SimulationXpress, Sheet Metal, PhotoView 360 and more. Chapter 1 provides a basic overview of the concepts and terminology used throughout this book using SolidWorks 2010 software. If you are completely new to SolidWorks, you should read Chapter 1 in detail and complete Lesson 1, Lesson 2 and Lesson 3 in the SolidWorks Tutorials. If you are familiar with an earlier release of SolidWorks, you still might want to skim Chapter 1 to become acquainted with some of the commands, menus and features that you have not used; or you can simply jump to any section in any chapter. Each chapter (17 total) provides detailed PropertyManager information on key topics with individual stand alone short tutorials to reinforce and demonstrate the functionality and ease of the SolidWorks tool or feature. All models for the 230 plus tutorials are located on the enclosed CD with their solution (initial and final). Learn by doing, not just by reading! Formulate the skills to create, modify and edit sketches and solid features. Learn the techniques to reuse features, parts and assemblies through symmetry, patterns, copied components, design tables, configurations and more. The book is designed to compliment the Online Tutorials and Online Help contained in SolidWorks 2010. The goal is to illustrate how multiple design situations and systematic steps combine to produce successful designs. The authors developed the tutorials by combining their own industry experience with the knowledge of engineers, department managers, vendors and manufacturers. These professionals are directly involved with SolidWorks everyday. Their responsibilities go far beyond the creation of just a 3D model.