Auto-CAD to Solidworks?

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I'm just starting my drafting class right now which is a pre-req for intro to auto cad and computer aided design. I'm curious to know if those of you who started out learning Auto-CAD had any trouble transferring to solidworks?"...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:Nope not at all. It's not that hard of a transition.
Reply:I know this may sound stupid but is it uncommon to find welders well versed in solidworks? I get the feeling it's a growing trend to master both design and production as I would figure it would bring a higher income in no?it seems like most ORF guys do both, but other forms of fabrication doesn't seem so common?"...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:I use SolidWorks on a daily basis. I had recently just been using Bend-Tech and emachineshop's free 2D cad software. I never got into AutoCAD...I even have a full version but I don't like it at all.If you can sketch, you can model in SW. Once you get your feet wet you'll begin to understand how the features work and how the feature manager (design tree on the left side of the screen) function.SW is a VERY powerful tool and I have yet to begin to use all of the available functions and features but I learn on a daily basis and I love that. One of the best tools SW has is it's HELP feature. It is very informative and easy to use.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:BTW, I still use Bend-Tech in conjunction with SW. SW can't do what BT does.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Thanks for the input, maybe i'll see if i can find a class for solidworks around here."...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:Check with HawkRidge Systems. They are an authorized SW dealer and they are who we buy our software from (since you can't buy direct).I took their "Intro to SW" course and it was great.I'm not sure if you can sign up for their classes without buying the software from them but check it out.They have training facilities in about 7 different cities in CA.http://www.hawkridgesys.com/http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Does anyone have experience with Vectorworks and if so, how does it compare with the popular programs you have sighted.   OPUS
Reply:wow those classes are crazy expensive for only five days. then again the program isn't cheap either."...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:I've been driving an AutoCAD machine since version 9, which is something approaching 30 years at this point.  I'm using AutoCAD 2011 right now, in fact, but I keep it set for 'Mechanical Classic' because I can't figure out what I'm doing with vast changes over the years.  I still type most of the commands.I'm also using AutoCAD Inventor solid modelling software, which is similar to Solidworks in most ways, as is most other SM software.  But learning it hasn't been so easy, as you have to think much differently.  I think in 3D with AutoCAD, and draw that way (but in multiple views/planes/sections/etc.), but with SM software, you actually create in 3D for the most part.  You also have to think about constraints, or your parts may do unexpected things.  By contrast, CAD objects are just lines, and they stay where you put them.  It's drafting vs making clay models, for lack of a better analogy.And if I thought there were a lot of commands in AutoCAD, that's nothing compared to Inventor.I don't want to scare you, but I haven't found it that easy.  I attribute it to age and experience, as in being pretty set in my ways after a few decades.  I'm still chipping away at it, though.  Loads of benefit to designing with SM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Crawfordwow those classes are crazy expensive for only five days. then again the program isn't cheap either.