So here are some suggestions for ID guys.
1) Use dimensions sparingly. Rely more heavily on relationships to constrain your sketches. That way you can exercise your sketches to see how well the model updates.2) Don't design in Solidworks (it takes too long). Figure out the forms and functions on paper before you start designing in Solidworks. To evaluate mechanical linkages use "Sketch Blocks" in regular sketches
3) Do Toggle "Move/Re-size Features" to interactively drag splines, lines and arcs without having to enter the sketches. This way you can work visually by dragging sketch entities from various sketches close to simultaneously.4) Do learn to use construction planes efficiently. Extrudes can be offset from the default planes.
5) Do embed as much data as possible in a 3D sketch. Since 2006 you can loft between the curves in a 3D sketch. Thus a far cleaner more efficient history tree.6)Decals are an efficient tool early in the design process. Don't model details like vents, over-mold, logos and part lines for a review between options, when you can do a quick Photoshop sketch and project it onto simple Solidworks geometry. Solidworks is very good at texture creation and simple geometry creation. Use Solidworks geometry as an underlay for hand sketching. (ie Sketch what is difficult to model, and model what is difficult to sketch)
7)USE THE ORIGIN. Seems like most newbies don't realize the efficiency of symmetrical modeling, and the ease of relationship creation when the origin is involved.8)Learn to jump back and forth between solids and surfaces.
...hmmm... will edit and add more later.