SolidWorks 2004 Tutorial and MultiMedia CD

Rating:
Summary: It's definitely worth a look
Review: After making a few parts and assemblies in SW, I found myself trying to understand more about using SW documents in parallel versus in series. This easy to use book walks you through SW in no time by combining parts you create with sub-assemblies from a library of models. The aluminum and stainless steel extrusions -links, plates, collars, start out simple. Look at the illustrations and follow the steps. At the end of each project, more parts and sub-assemblies built my confidence as I worked back and forth.

The book spends a great deal of time stressing sketch relationships. This is time well spent. Coming from AUTOCAD, I used arrays and osnaps, but in SW there are differences that can really save time in the part and later in the assembly.

The drawing chapter takes you through setting up a sheet format, detailing drawings, part numbers in a Bill and inserting design tables for the collar part and link assembly. I made one link with a design table with three holes, then created longer links with more holes and collars. The assemblies in the last project use mirror component and component pattern. There is an emphasis on reusing parts and part geometry.

You do have to keep track of your templates, parts and assemblies. They all come together in the final project. I found myself watching the movies on the book's CD towards the end as the mating techniques and number of components became more challenging at my beginner level. It's definitely worth a look.


Rating:
Summary: Review, SolidWorks Tutorial and MultiMedia CD
Review: I highly recommend this book. The book contains useful information that details exactly how to use SolidWorks correctly.

Rating:
Summary: Great Tutorial: Better than the 2003
Review: This was the easiest and best tutorial book I've ever read. I bought the 2003 tutorial and through it was good. The 2004 is great with it's CD. Every book should have a CD that aids the reader. I am fairly proficient with computers, but I had limited knowledge of drafting principles and design concepts. The 2003 and 2004 tutorial provided me with the needed basics and tools required to use SolidWork to develop simple extruded drawings. There are no foreign terms left unexplained, and diagrams are on every page to enforce the command sequence, which is a step by step procedure.

Do not expect to learn everything about drafting or to become an advance expert with this book, it is a basic tutorial. This is the perfect book for learning the ins and outs of SolidWorks 2004 for the beginner. I recommend this book to anyone with no or little knowledge of the industry that may suddenly require the skill to comfortably maneuver in SolidWorks 2004. PS: The layout of the books is very clear and readable.