RoninB4
Well-known member
-The student version has some limitations to what it can do. SolidWorks has different modules that are more/less capable, it's all about it being what you're willing to pay for. The student version (IIRC) also puts a watermark across any drawings you would have waned to print out. There are even some limitations to what models/assemblies you can/can't save. The student version is ok for learning some of the basics but it's a bit frustrating for actually using it for commercial purposes. I guess that's why they set it up that way. Maybe it's just me but I find using CAD on a laptop for anything but very basic modeling to be clumsy. The screen size, the ability to select certain geometric features, pulling dimensions, or creating a drawing means I have to have a large monitor and mouse. YMMV
-Yeah, the things you learn have to be kept current or they'll fade. I still fumble a bit when I open the program now that I'm not doing it every day. I still find my way around because I did this for 13 years and it sorta hard wired me. There are other 3D CAD programs out there now that are less expensive than SW but I've only used the big expensive ones because that's what was at the companies I contracted to. While I feel that SW is a good mid-range program there are supposedly other less expensive programs that should be able to do the basics for what you would need. A search through this site ought to bring up a discussion. The high cost programs are unbelievably capable but you'd find them to be on the clumsy/cumbersome side (did I mention expensive?). You don't need to ante up the yearly fees many of them charge either, I haven't paid yearly fees since 2014 and mine works just fine.
-For just about anybody involved with construction or fabrication on a semi-regular basis I suggest adding a 3D CAD program as a valuable tool. I wouldn't suggest getting a 2D program unless all you're doing is flat work. Learning 2D can also impede your ability to learn 3D from what others have told me. I abandoned AutoCad like a faithless lover after being introduced to 3D. I resisted using computers for a couple of decades, now I wouldn't consider even a small, hobby type manufacturing business without 3D CAD. Find a decently priced 3D program, ditch the student version limitations, and open the door to what could help you. I know you're busy, we're all busy. An hour or two a week of screen time ought to have you somewhat proficient in a couple of months. Depending upon what you're doing it can open up a lot of possibilities, streamline existing operations, or both. You won't know this until you start using it.
-There's plenty of tutorials out there for free on the internet. Find ones where you can understand the instructor (many are non native English) and the volume is clear enough to easily hear. I feel that any of them that help you with the basics are worth watching. The more specialized modules like surface modeling can be searched for by topic if you want them. I took classes in college (Pro-E) but it really didn't make me proficient enough IMO. Doing the book exercises is all fine and well but even those didn't have enough impact on me. I started trying to boost my capability by creating things that were personal projects or something not covered by the books/lessons. Those were model files I wanted to keep, not some exercise that didn't mean much once the lesson was over. I bought books every time I needed to learn a different program. I've still got books for about 4-5 different CAD programs and I'll break one out when when I need the refresher. What most of them have in common is that they're either Object>Action or Action>Object in operation, only the icons and locations are different. Having a reference book beats having to rely on your already crowded memory IMO. One of my supplemental learning projects was to create all the parts/assemblies for a motorcycle I had (ZRX). It caused me to create things and find methods not covered in books/lessons. I would suggest you determine what you want to use the program for. There's:
Solid Modeling
Surface Modeling (different concepts/actions than solid modeling for complex, non linear surfaces)
Sheet Metal (somewhat different than solid modeling. This is where a pre=bend flat pattern comes from)
Assemblies (extremely useful for many things visual/ergonomics and playing "what if")
Drawings (BOM's made here, so are dimensions for ready reference in the shop. Experimental geometry and trig are easy)
Mechanica (assemblies in motion over time/distance)
Welding specs
Piping creation and layout
Electrical cable layout and designation
Minor FEA (weight, mass, center of gravity, strength of materials, etc.)
Rendering by material (visual aid for estimating appearances and/or clarity)
Not all of these will be useful to you so pick what would be useful and focus on those tutorials. Developing "best practices" is more important than finding shortcuts IMO. There's different approaches to design, some like the "top down" methods, some like to build in equations for rapid scaling of similar parts families. You'll have to develop what's best for you and your situation. I can offer some advice based upon my experiences but the best advice I ever got was from Dr. Ward in college. He said "There are really no shortcuts to proficiency, there is no substitute for tube time". If I knew what you were wanting I could offer better suggestions. I modeled my entire house as separate assemblies and still use it for remodeling. Perhaps your shop/garage would make a useful first project for you. If you have any questions you know where to find me. Hope this was of some help.
Last edited:
