- ii –
How to Use this Book
This book has two goals: first, it is a tutorial that teaches how to use SolidWorks at an
introductory level, and second, the book also teaches how engineering drafting conventions and
standards are used to communicate design ideas. The main text teaches the commands
needed to create a solid model of a skateboard and then to use the model to produce working
drawings. If the reader follows only the main text, the book is a step-by-step tutorial to gain an
introductory knowledge of SolidWorks and of its most useful commands. To get the best results,
read the step-by-step tutorial and practice with your SolidWorks software and computer as you
read. The CD included with the book contains an audiovisual tutorial that follows the main text
and is intended as an alternative for readers who prefer to see a demonstration instead of
following written instructions. The CD can be ordered from the website http://www.cadeducators.com.
The information that is not directly related to the skateboard model is included in the book’s
sidebars and in the supporting website. The sidebars are self-contained and should be read
independently from the main text. The sidebars:
1) explain the use of SolidWorks commands and command options in detail, or
2) introduce and explain drafting conventions and standards, or
3) explain the role of CAD in the design process.All the sidebars in a lesson should be read before moving to the next lesson.
The website is an integral part of the book. It has information about annual enhancements to the
software and practice exercises. If you find that a figure in the book does not match your version
of SolidWorks, visit the website to see what has changed.
Together, the written and CD tutorials, the sidebars, and the website accommodate different
learning styles. If a subject must be studied in greater depth than it is covered in the book or the
website, consult the references at the end of each lesson.
The book is divided into sections and each Section is further divided into Lessons. Every
Lesson has questions and practice exercises. Questions are used to reinforce and expand the
student’s knowledge of design and drafting practices. The practice exercises are to give
students the opportunity to use the SolidWorks commands learned in the Lesson in new
situations. For example, although English units are used in the text, some practice exercises
use metric units instead.
The Appendix includes two complete sets of working drawings. One set uses the ANSI standard
and English units (inch and pound) and the other set uses the ISO standard and metric units
(millimeter and gram). The drawings are to be used by the student to determine the dimensions
needed to create the solid models, assemblies and drawings. Because the student is expected
to find in the drawings the dimensions needed to create the models, the text rarely reveals
them. The benefit of this approach is that the student becomes familiar with drawings and the
information they contain. Classroom experience has shown that students will be comfortable
with this approach.