I still don't get it!

One of the things that I enjoy the most about writing this humble blog is having the opportunity of helping others through the blog posts and also answering questions other users may have. However, there’s one particular kind of question that I get every now and then that always leaves me wondering: when people ask me about how they can manage to make SolidWorks behave just like AutoCAD by using the 2D emulator. I try to answer the best I can, even though I don’t really use the 2D emulator myself, but I try to help no matter what. However, I just don’t get it! I don’t think I ever will!  SolidWorks and AutoCAD are two very different things. They each have their own strengths and their own place in today’s industry. SolidWorks will never be AutoCAD, 2D emulator or not, so why limit themselves to the few options available through the emulator, when they could be enjoying all that SolidWorks has to offer without it?

This time, for instance, I’ve been asked about how to use transparent commands such as SNAP and OSNAP. The person that asked was having a hard time trying to make it behave just like AutoCAD so he could sketch and SNAP to a center, midpoint, end point, etc. I tried to figure out what exactly was the problem and how to fix it, but at some point I just couldn’t help but suggesting he should forget about the 2D emulator all together and begin sketching like so using automatic relations and Quick Snaps. That it would actually be easier that way.  I hope I didn’t confuse the poor guy a lot more! I wonder why sometimes it’s so hard to let go. I guess it’s just being familiar with AutoCAD? Resistance to change, perhaps? I didn’t exactly have a hard time letting go of my AutoCAD ways, but I do remember the first time I saw the screen in SolidWorks it was confusing and a bit of a shock. I can understand that it’s a common thing to fear change. I’ve been there many times before. But the funny thing is the change they dread so much would actually be easier that trying to hold on to the old ways! Because, if what they really want is AutoCAD, why change to SolidWorks in the first place? I mean, to each their own.  I’m not going to use AutoCAD and expect it to be SolidWorks. That just wouldn’t work! Well, it’s the same the other way around.

So, for all of you that, like me, were AutoCAD users before and are now trying to learn SolidWorks, one small piece of advice that can make your life easier: don’t even think about the 2D emulator. Do not try to find AutoCAD in SolidWorks. Just forget what you know, check your AutoCAD skills at the front door, and throw yourself into SolidWorks just as it is meant to be. Don’t even dare try to turn it into what it’s not. Trust me; you’ll advance faster that way and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in so very little time!

Comments

[Steve Calvert]

Gabi, some people just can't adapt. These people who need to use it like AutoCad, are going to be the ones we read about in the near future that loose their jobs and it's going to be because they refuse to learn another way.

Remember, friends don't let friends use Autocad.

Steve

[Mike Puclett]

Gabi,

There was (and still is some) push inside Solidworks to make the software seem very familiar to Autocad users. The simple reason is they are trying to get users to switch. The issue becomes exactly what you are stating, and if an Autocad user stumbles through SW, then desides it doesnt work, essentially SW has shot themselfs in the foot while trying to do the opposite. Its a double edged sword for sure, but the focus should be on why its more beneficial to move away from Autocad and 2D, instead of focusing on how to make SW look and act like Autocad.

[Gabi]

I totally agree with you Mike! I don't really see the usefulness in having the 2D emulator at all. It is actually more confusing for AutoCAD users than not having it there, because, well, it's not AutoCAD. It won't work like AutoCAD, it won't give all the options they are used to find in AutoCAD, and it prevents them from learning how to do the same job faster and easier with the great variety of tools available in SolidWorks. This story had a happy ending, though. A little bit after posting this, the guy emailed me and said he had taken my advice and was very happy with the suggestion. One user at a time...

[Gabi]

Thanks for the comment, Steve! Hmmm... That sounds like a good phrase to frame or engrave and keep somewhere in your office as a constant reminder. :-)

[Kenneth Barrentine]

Gabi,

I ran into this wall myself. The best way to describe the difference between the two systems is AutoCAD “snaps” to entities and SolidWorks “inferences” entities. Because of this fundamental difference, the feedback (mouse input) whether actual or perceived cannot be truly emulated. Once a user comes to “grips” (pun intended) with this fundamental sketching difference of snapping vs. inferencing they will be able to progress and forget about ACAD.

[Josh]

I always thought the emulator was a bad idea. It's better to take a few more minutes, even hours to actually show them how to do it using SolidWorks.

I think this single topic and Kenneth's comment are key. once this one concept is realized, it opens up their thinking about how to work with 2D in SolidWorks.

[Brian Titus]

I guess the "laggards" could always use the DWG Editor!

Create sketches and then copy/paste?

I don't like the idea personally but to each his own.

In 2009, there's some new functionality with parametric drawing views..

Things that make you go hmmmm...

[James C. Hess]

I have been given the assignment of learning Solidworks 2008. After more than eighty hours of trying to get through the first two tutorials I have concluded Solidworks 2008 is not user-friendly.

Feel free to provide me evidence and example of why this opinion is not correct or valid.

Thank you.

[Gabi]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're still struggling with it after so many hours. I can only imagine your frustration. Were you coming straight from some 2D CAD application or from some other 3D modeling software? What exactly do you find not-user friendly about SW2008? What are you struggling with the most? The first version of SW I used was 2007. Aside from some minor differences in the user interface and some new functionality, 2008 is practically the same. The tutorials that come with SW are good, yes, but I've found that they can be a bit fast paced when you are not really used to thinking in terms of 3D modeling. Perhaps, you should first spend some time getting familiar with all the different sketch tools and entities available in SW,practice adding dimensions and relations to sketches, and then move up to the basic features, like extrude, extrude-cut and revolve, and go adding one new feature at a time. Then move up to basic mates and assemblies. There's plenty of books available that explain these tools in detail and provide lots of examples. You could pick up SolidWorks for Dummies, or SolidWorks 2008 for Designers, by Sham Tickoo. Those are excellent books to get started with. And of course, you can also ask as many questions as you need, here and in the SW forums!

I don't know what specific example I could give you of how SW is user friendly or easy to learn. I just know that, same as me, many users out there are completely self-taught, so it can't be that hard. I think you are probably just stuck in some little issue there, but once you pass that bump you'll progress quickly, you'll see!

[James C. Hess]

The tutorials are just short of useless and worthless because they are so poorly written.

I am stuck in the second tutorial presently: The section entitled "Creating a Section View".

I have repeatedly attempted to follow the instructions and every single time I get to the end of this particular step, having followed the directions EXACTLY my effort does NOT show in colors as the tutorial shows: A pink border and a blue border, respectively, and a blue line through the center of the top view.

When I attempt to proceed I end up deleting my effort and wasting more time.

Like I said: The tutorials are useless and worthless, as is SolidWorks.

[Gabi]

From what you say, it seems like you are in the 30 min tutorial. I really can't see why you're stuck. I went through the exercise myself just now and everything happens according to the instructions. Maybe there's an option you may need to adjust in Tools, options, System options or Document options. If not, well, try the books I told you. That particular tutorial has a lot of information in it, perhaps you need to go little by little. If everything else fails, tell your boss to pay for training with a VAR.

Venting helps to release some of our stress and frustration, but it's not a long-term solution to our problems. If your boss wants you to learn SW2008 and you like your job, you better start looking for ways to do just that, instead of looking for reasons not to do it. But I do understand frustration... Maybe you'll have better luck with the books or with the VAR.