I was putting together a document to help new users that are fired up about being excellent in SolidWorks and maybe getting a job using the tool. I will be sending it out to my peers, coworkers and anyone that reads my blog.
Please take a look and let me know if you can suggest any changes.... Thanks!!
How to Master SolidWorks: Become a Pro in 5 Steps
Here are the basic steps to becoming a pro at SolidWorks, which is can be a positive step in your career as an engineer and designer.
Step 1 – Formal Training
SolidWorks is a complex software that requires you to learn its ins and outs to use it most effectively. Take formal training to master the basics and any advanced topics that relate to your projects. Formal training can be found online, local resellers and some community colleges.
You will save time versus trying to learn it all yourself. A quality trainer will provide you a personalized roadmap of milestones and goals specific to both your learning style and how you plan to use SolidWorks.
Step 2 – Find Mentors
Mentors are excellent motivators! They provide you with the coaching and guidance to stick with SolidWorks, learn clever tips in the software, and determine how others utilize it in their daily work.
Mentors are available locally as well as online; the key is to find someone willing to take you under their wing. Work with mentors fine-tune your SolidWorks learning roadmap and overcome any challenges along the way.
Step 3 – Do Sprints
Create basic and complex models as fast as you can. Work on your speed, being comfortable with the ribbon and key shortcuts. These sprints will help you become more efficient with SolidWorks and ultimately be key component of your success.
Step 4– Model Difficult Projects & Create New Ones
Give yourself challenges. Do you love Apple products? Are you fired up about climbing equipment or ski bindings? Grab some calipers and model them! You will learn a lot in the process.
SolidWorks is a designer’s tool and an inventor’s best friend. Use it to model items of interest for practice sake. Alternatively, try to make a virtual prototype of a great idea you recently had or an idea you’ve already begun.
Step 5 – Forums, Advanced Tutorials and
Be active in the forums! You will be surprised how great the community can be and how quick to answer your questions.
Browse the What’s New document in SolidWorks, especially the topics that you use. This PDF is located in the Help Menu of SolidWorks or simply Google it for a copy.
After that, review any tutorials you havent already discovered. Perhaps, the Weldments or Sheetmetal or 3d sketching.
BONUS Steps!
These are additional ways to improve your SolidWorks abilities. Try these tips once you’ve reached step 5:
- Leverage Your Local Reseller
Take advantage of the reseller freebies that come with acquiring the SolidWorks software. Use the phone support, attend free webinars, and go to free local events. Just keep in mind that they are designed to keep you in the know but also to sell more product. So take it with a grain of salt.
- Be Active in Your Local User Group
Your local user group is an amazing community of users that you can learn from, again and again. Ask them questions, bounce ideas off of them, and more. Enjoy great networking opportunities and get free training.
- Teach
Find a way to give back, such as training others. Perhaps it is a co-worker that needs help getting started on SolidWorks or helping someone in a forum. Maybe it is presenting the software’s basics in your local SolidWorks user group. Teaching others is one of the best ways to learn the tools even better yourself, and it feels great helping others too!
- Start Your Certification Preparation
Become a Certified SolidWorks Professional to show you, your peers, and hiring managers that you know the tool inside and out. In addition, it will broaden your perspective on better modeling, equations, speed, editing, and general best practices.