Can anyone recommend......

[Poorpaulus]

Hi everyone.
As a rookie to 3D design, I was wondering if there are any good web sites or books that you could recommend for modeling techniques?
I am using Solidworks 2004, but that shouldn't matter. It's the techniques behind the construction of solid models that I am interested in.
I've spent too many years doing 2D AutoCAD drawings.

Any suggestions?

Paul.

 

[MechEng13]

Paul,

My first recommendation would be to forget everything you know about AutoCRAP. It is utterly useless in doing 3d Parametric Modeling. Second I would go through the tutorials supplied with the software...I spent 4 years on SWX and that was the first step I took. The second thing I would do is find an item you use every day...I wouldn't necessarily try something with many complex shapes. Set it on your desk with a set of calipers, micrometer and any other measuring tools you need, then model it directly from your measurements. I did this with a set of calipers.

Finally, if you can find them, take a look at Mike Wilson and Paul Salvadors Websites. Download any models you can and try to recreate the methodology.

HTH.



Alan M. Etzkorn
Product Engineer
Nixon Tool Co.

http://www.nixontool.com

 

[SBaugh]

You should follow what MechEng13 is saying. Go through the Tutorials before moving up to complex modeling. Another thing you can do is model something on your desk. Something easy and step each time.

Also check out the FAQ here to help with any questions you might have.

If you need Websites check out - faq559-520 - This is a good FAQ for you too MechEng13 if you don't where to find Mike J. Wilson or Paul Salvador's site.

Regards,



Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[JNR]

I agree with Alan and Scott (however when I jest about the competition, I do make it plain that I am merely jesting.....).

I would add these suggestions. After you have done the tutorials, dedicate an afternoon to snuggle into a comfy chair with a suitable beverage supply and read the documentation from end to end. This will expose your brain to everything and you will by them understand what a lot of it is about and how it might best be used (or avoided!) for your applications. it will also give you a good idea of what things to investigate next.

Modelling something on your desk is a great idea and follows the good practice of setting an actual goal, not just dinking around and seeing what comes up. If you don't set a specific challenge you will not push yourself to learn well. on the other hand, dinking around is great for testing specific commands, concepts, etc. For that, you open simple new test ("play&quot parts that only contain enough to test that principle. Blow them away when your are done. (Or if you are like me you and forget you end up witha lot of "PART1, ASSEM2" etc. hanging around that contain simple one feature blocks and cylinders!!!)

John Richards Sr. Mech. Engr.
Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics

A hobbit's lifestyle sounds rather pleasant...... it's the hairy feet that turn me off.

 

[MechEng13]

Scott,

In my past employed life I was very familiar with both of their sites. I spent 4 years enjoying working in SWX. But due to the economy I am now an actual Inventor user. So the sites aren't as helpful to me as they were 4 years ago. It's been awhile since I looked at them but they were a great deal of help when I was first starting with SWX.

Oh for the good day using SWX...but then again it's a tool to get a job done...so let's use what we have to the best of our ability.



Alan M. Etzkorn
Product Engineer
Nixon Tool Co.

http://www.nixontool.com

 

[Regg]

Paul,

One more thing to consider is best practices. There are at least 3 ways to complete a task in SolidWorks. One of which is the preferred way for a given situation. Where I work we have begun setting up our own but I thought I have seen some online (cannot remember where though). Just as an example, I just finished a project checking someone elses work where the taps were put in not using hole wizard. I would not want to hand put the cosmetic threads on the 20 or 30 taps that were on some pieces (and no, patterns were not used either).

Regg

 

[Poorpaulus]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have found

http://www.mikejwilson.com/

&

http://solidworks.cad.de/library_us.htm

I think that these are the sites you have suggested. Both look good.

Thanks again.
Paul.

 

[JNR]

I would be a little wary of some of the (paper) books out there. Take them as an introduction only. SOME are very personal styles and opinions on doing things. And frankly SOME of this is just not best practice. So just because someone writes a book, don't feel obliged to assume they are the world's expert or that they are 100% correct all the time.

John Richards Sr. Mech. Engr.
Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics

A hobbit's lifestyle sounds rather pleasant...... it's the hairy feet that turn me off.