Chapter 1: Introducing SolidWorks
IN THIS CHAPTER
Installing SolidWorks
Getting started with SolidWorks
Identifying different types of SolidWorks documents
Understanding feature-based modeling
Understanding history-based modeling
Sketching with parametrics
Controlling changes with design intent
Modifying design intent
Working with links between documents
In SolidWorks, you build 3D parts from a series of simple 2D sketches and features such as extrude, revolve, fillets, cuts, and holes, among others. You can put the parts together into assemblies. You can then create 2D drawings from the 3D parts and assemblies.
This chapter will familiarize you with some of the tools available to make the transition to SolidWorks and with some of the basic facts and concepts that you need to know to get the most out of the software.
Video
You can view videos for each chapter on the Wiley website, in addition to downloading sample files. View the Chapter 1 Introduction video to get started.
Installing SolidWorks for the First Time
Some of you will have SolidWorks installed for you by people in your company or by SolidWorks reseller experts, and some of you will do the installation on your own. Regardless, it is best to make sure that your hardware and software are compatible with the SolidWorks system requirements, available on the SolidWorks website at www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html.
SolidWorks installs natively on both 32- and 64-bit operating systems. It is supported ...
