SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [6]
Thank you for your interest.
About This Book
You will find enough information here that the book can grow with your SolidWorks needs. I have written tutorials for most of the chapters with newer users in mind, because for them, it is most helpful to see how things are done in SolidWorks step by step. The longer narrative examples give more in-depth information about features and functions, as well as the results of various settings and options.
This book includes many details that come from practical usage and is focused on the needs of professional users, not on student learners. My approach is to teach concepts rather than button pushes.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is divided into six parts.
Part I: Introducing SolidWorks Basics
This part explores basic concepts and terminology used in SolidWorks. You need to read this section if you are new to the software and especially if you are new to 3D modeling or parametric history-based design.
Part II: Building Intelligence into Your Parts
This part takes a deeper look at creating parametric relations to automate changes.
Part III: Creating Part Drawings
This part examines the functionality within the 2D drawing side of the software. Whether you are creating views, making tables, or customizing annotations, these chapters have something for everyone.
Part IV: Using Advanced Techniques
This part examines several types of advanced techniques, such as surface modeling and multi-body modeling. This is information you won't find in other SolidWorks books, explained here by someone who uses the functionality daily.
Part V: Working with Specialized Functionality
Specialized functionality such as sheet metal, , and plastics, requires detailed information. Part V includes these topics because they are key to unlocking all the power available in SolidWorks.
Part VI: Appendixes
The appendixes in this book contain information that was not appropriate in the main body of the text, such as the contents of the DVD and other sources of help.
Icons Used in This Book
This book uses a set of icons to point out certain details in the text. While they are relatively self-explanatory, here is what each of these icons indicates:
Caution
Caution icons warn you of potential problems before you make a mistake.
Cross-Reference
Cross-Reference icons point out where you can find additional information about a topic elsewhere in the book.
New Feature
The New Feature icon highlights features and functions that are new to SolidWorks 2011.
Note
Notes highlight useful information that you should take into consideration, or an important point that requires special attention.
On the DVD
This icon points you toward related material on the book's DVD.
Tip
Tips provide you with additional advice that makes the software quicker or easier to use.
The SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible is unique in its use of these two icons:
Best Practice
Best practice icons point out recommended settings or techniques that are safe in most situations.
Performance
Performance icons elaborate on how certain settings, features, or techniques affect rebuild speed or file size.
These icons point out and describe techniques and settings that are either recommended or not recommended for specific reasons. Best Practice is usually considered to be very conservative usage, where the stability of the parametrics and performance (a euphemism for rebuild speed) are the ultimate goals. These two aspects of SolidWorks models are usually weighed against modeling speed (how long it takes you to create the model).
You should take Best Practice and Performance recommendations seriously, but you should treat them as guidelines rather than as rules. When it comes