SolidWorks 2010: No Experience Required Book

In the normal course of writing about SolidWorks topics, I was provided a copy of this book to review. This book takes a detailed approach to teaching SolidWorks to new users. Though the book is structured as a tutorial, it is also a reliable reference guide to fundamental aspects of SolidWorks.

For experienced 3D CAD users, much of SolidWorks user interface and functionality is intuitive, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be covered in a book designed for new users. This book takes a detailed approach to learning SolidWorks. It is so detailed that even some experienced users may learn something by browsing its pages. In doing so, this book gives the reader context for each topic. For example, the FeatureManager (one of the primary user interface areas) is frequently discussed in the context of its use within each particular area. This helps the reader gain real understanding of its value as they perform certain tasks.

As book addresses each topic, it thoroughly covers every detail of the choices presented to the reader. This gives the reader a clear understanding as to why they choose one option over the other within the tutorial tasks. This adds significant value to this book as an actual reference guide. The reader learns more than just how to go through a simple step-by-step process for one exercise. They learn how to use SolidWorks for any design project.

However, sometimes the detail may be too much in the context of a tutorial. For example, chapter 1 teaches the reader about the SolidWorks user interface, but it also provides information on how to customize that interface. Perhaps a chapter on editing the user interface might be better at some later point in the book (or even in another book)?

Even still, this book is a great source to learn SolidWorks for new users. Academia might find this book very useful in their 3D CAD courses. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have this book available in any company that often hires people that may not be completely familiar with SolidWorks.

This book is NOT for advanced or expert SolidWorks users. CAD managers should not buy this book thinking they will learn something new. It is an education tool for new users, and a reference guide for others.