SolidWorks - Introduction

Introduction

Solidworks is a 3D MCAD(Mechanical Computer Aided Design) software developed by Dassault Syst[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]è[/FONT]me SolidWorks Corp. What sets it apart from other 3D MCAD software (CATIA, Pro-E, etc) is its value for money combined with the powerful tools on offer.


Apart from a powerful sketcher environment, it has a plethora of solid modeling tools available. Also on offer are tools relating to surfacing, assembly, weldment, drawing, etc..

In part modeling, SolidWorks takes the cake in deformation tools. The variety of deformation tools available is simply amazing.

SolidWorks has a very innovative feature that lets you design parts that share the same basic geometry but with some differences, rather easily. Suppose you have to design 3 parts which have holes at 10 PCD in one configuration, 12 PCD in another configuration and 30 PCD in yet another configuration, but the overall diameter of the parts are same, 50 mm say. You can create different configurations of the same part using an excel sheet specifying the dimension to be changed, the PCD in this case.


Once the components have been designed, you can create their 2D drawings, perform analysis using COSMOS. In newer versions, you can even check if the component can be manufactured, using the DFM (Design For Manufacture) add-in.

It also includes PhotoWorks add-in. This is used to render parts and give them a real world feel. You can set the materials, environment, lighting schemes, etc and then render your part.


SolidWorks has a lot of other tools which make life for the design engineer very easy, including but not limited to animation workbench, limited CFD capability, etc

Keep tuned in for part 2 of the introduction class.

Hi, im new here, i wonder if Solidworks and Autodesk Inventor have the same capabilities and it may be nice to know wich one is better because in my country we dont have Solidwork reseller :shifty: