If you have to do any amount of data/file-sharing with your parent company then I would suggest you get SW.Īre the "dummy" books readily available for Autocad? I'll search Amazon.ĭoes SW have all the same capabilities of Autocad when it comes to 2D drawings? I DO use AutoCAD from time to time, but only to revise older prints or make plant layout changes. Solidworks outshines AutoCAD in that respect. The ability to design and integrate seperate parts, check fit, form, function and determine feasibility of manufacture are important to my job. I use Solidworks almost exclusively, but I do mechanical design and have to build multi-part assemblies. Okimoto and 24_oz both use it for Architectural work and that is where it comes into it's own. it's a GREAT program for strictly 2D work. The learning curve is not very steep and (unless things have changed) is NOT parametric whatsoever.
It's parametric and pretty intuitive (there are no command lines, but you can setup keyboard shortcuts).ĪutoCAD is 2D first and 3D second. The 2D drawing features are included so that any 3D model can be dimensioned/toleranced for production/review. It is design intensive and revolves (almost entirely) around 3D modelling. Solidworks is an entirely different beast than AutoCad.
Iskone, what do you need to draft? That will drive your CAD requirements. It's definately NOT true (that everyone else uses it) when it comes to product design, tooling design, mold/die design. I'm sure this is a bit tongue-in-cheek ( ), and it's likely true in the architecture/structural design world. Learn autocad, because everyone else uses it.