Video or CD training?

there are built in tutorials. that's all i used to get started and have no problems using the software.

Smiley,

The methodologies between IV and SW are very similar (ADE$K pretty much copied SW) so you won't find the territory that unfamiliar. There are however, many more features (choices) and most of them work pretty good. I would suggest getting a seat and just playing with it first to see if you really need formal training. There are, of course, many valuable tools (like configurations) that you will not be familiar with. But this feature, and most others for that matter, are laid out in a very intuative manner. Once you understand what something actually "does", it's pretty easy to figure out how to apply it. The exception to this would probably be advanced surfacing. But even it is pretty logical considering the potential complexity of its many uses.

$1145.00 (per person ?) does seem pretty high. Our VAR (Hawkridge Systems) just offered an advanced surfacing class to us for free. We signed up four of our ID guys. So, it looks like maybe you may want to shop around a bit (provided you have choices in your area).

As far as general help, this NG can be very valuable. There's almost always someone lurking that can answer your questions from simple, to very complex (Ed Eaton, Mike Wilson, and a few others).

Transitioning from one design tool to another can be pretty intimidating, I know.

Regards

Mark

Hello -

If you eventually do decide for training, give yourself at least 16 hours on the system with the manual before setting foot in the classroom.

Remember that the VAR makes their living giving training, so it is profitable for them. Sometimes training can be used as a "deal sweetener". Maybe you can get some extra help at a slightly reduced price depending on how many seats you will potentially buy and how hungry the seller is to get the sale of the seats and yearly maintenence contract.

While you can learn lots from a qualified trainer, you can learn just as much from "time at task", and possbily even more. If you and your people are quick studies in CAD you can learn a lot on your own, but geting help from someone who knows is also great.

If you eventually do go with solidworks, you get (at last glance) a nice printed manual and a tutorial book which are really great for you when you are starting out. Another alternative - do you know anyone who could help you for a lower price or simply be your CAD mentor? Training can come from anyone, not just your reseller (but be careful in who you choose - you know this).

Also, you might want to consider joining using your local solidworks user group as a way to get some tips and peer-to-peer training. Usually these groups are full of knowledgeable people willing to share their ideas and experience. Naturally karma would dictate that you return the favor once you become proficient.

Best Wishes-

SMA

Manual, what manual? And a tutorial book? We purchased 4 seats of office (network) and received a total of 3 CD's. Nothing else. We were told to go through the online tutorials to learn SW.

Keith Streich Pflow Industries, Inc.

snipped-for-privacy@pflow.com

(414) 535-2195 x124 (414) 462-2673 FAX

Well, I had actually hoped that Solidworks hadn't gone down the same road as AutoCAD. I really learned AutoCAD at version 10 from reading the very large, hardbound manual. Back then, you really could read it and feel you gained a complete understanding of the program. Now, you only get a very basic "getting started" book, and you are expected to use the on-line help for everything else.

The biggest benefit of a printed manual, is that you can read through all of it (or at least scan over). The online stuff is a maze of links which are impossible to completely follow. I've seen offers to get printed versions of AutoCAD's on-line help, but was certainly not motivated to get it. The quality of the on-line help is just not there.

If I had to choose one or the other, I would choose a good quality set of printed manuals over online help. I suspect the true savings to the software company from not printing manual is not in the printing, but in the actual work to create the content. You can hide poor content in the on-line help maze.

Joe

Joe,

There's an option under the install to install the manuals. These are PDF's, not to be confused with the online help. You can print them.

Regards

Mark