Datasheet

9
Chapter 1: Introducing SolidWorks
FIGURE 1.8
The Getting Started option on the SolidWorks Resources tab of the Task Manager
The terminology SolidWorks has used over the past several releases has changed and may seem
confusing to some of you. In 2007, SolidWorks changed the name Online User’s Guide to SolidWorks
Help. This is a help file on the local computer; it is not online in that it is not on the Internet. In 2010,
the SolidWorks Web Help option was added to the Help menu. This option is online in that it is on the
Internet.
Accessing tutorials
You can access several tutorials by selecting the SolidWorks Tutorials option from the Help menu.
There you will find a list of tutorials on subjects from sheet metal to macros in parts, assemblies, and
drawings. These tutorials are certainly worth your time and will build your skills and knowledge of
basic functionality. This SolidWorks Bible distinguishes itself from the tutorials by going into far more
detail and depth about each function, adding information such as best practices, performance consid-
erations, and cautionary data, acting as a thorough desk reference. The purpose of this book is not to
duplicate all the resources for beginners, but to take the information into far more depth and detail
and answer the “why” questions instead of just the “how” questions.
Keeping up with what’s new
With every release, SolidWorks publishes a What’s New document to help you keep up to speed with
the changes. This is typically a PDF file with accompanying example files. If you have missed a version
or two, reading through the What’s New files can help get you back on track. (You can find every
What’s New document on Ricky Jordan’s blog, at
http://rickyjordan.com.) Again, don’t expect
many details or interface screen shots; it introduces you to the basic changes.
Moving from 2D to 3D
The Help menu contains a selection called Moving from 2D to 3D. It is intended to help transitioning
users acclimate to their new surroundings. Terminology is a big part of the equation when making
this switch and figures prominently in the Moving from 2D to 3D help file.
Likely, the most helpful sections in Moving from 2D to 3D are Approach to Modeling and Imported
AutoCAD Data. The information in these categories is useful whether you are coming to SolidWorks
from AutoCAD or from another CAD package.
Exploring SolidWorks Help
SolidWorks Help (formerly The Online User’s Guide) is the new Help file. There are two formats: the
traditional Help format and a Web-based help file. You can use Search capabilities to find what you
are looking for. The SolidWorks Help has tutorials and a separate API (application programming
interface) help file. Frankly, it lacks detail and often skips over important facts such as what you
might use a certain function for, what the interface looks like, or where you might find the command
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