When it comes to SOLIDWORKS, many seasoned users assume they have a comprehensive grasp of the software’s capabilities. They might feel confident navigating the interface, tackling complex designs, or troubleshooting issues independently. However, even the most experienced users often don’t realize how much more there is to learn, simply because they "don’t know what they don’t know."
Continued learning and mentoring can provide a world of benefits, opening up new features, more efficient methods, and even creative approaches that can transform daily workflows. Here’s why training is valuable at every stage of expertise.
SOLIDWORKS releases yearly updates packed with new features, improvements, and tools designed to enhance user experience and expand design capabilities. With each release, the software evolves to improve performance, add functionality, and address user feedback. However, unless users actively engage in training or have a mentor who can guide them through these changes, they’re likely to miss out on key updates that could save them time and frustration. A few hours of update training can unlock features that might take weeks to learn alone.
Even experienced users can fall into routines, relying on the same tools and methods out of habit. While this approach may be effective, it can limit creativity and efficiency. For example, a user might be proficient in modeling certain things but unaware of advanced techniques like configurations, boundary features, or advanced lofts and sweeps. With mentoring or targeted training, users are introduced to these advanced features, pushing them to think outside their typical workflows and reach new creative heights. There is an assortment to classes to choose from as well, so you can choose which areas would be a best fit for you. You see available classes as well as dates at cadimensions.com/training.
SOLIDWORKS offers various shortcuts, customizable settings, and advanced features that, when used correctly, can drastically cut down project time. But without training, even advanced users may miss out on small, game-changing techniques, or the "tips & tricks" as we like to call it. Training and mentorship can reveal lesser-known tools like “Replace Entity,” “dynamic reference visualization,” or best practices for making changes to existing models. This knowledge not only streamlines individual projects but also creates a ripple effect, making collaboration smoother and faster.
Many experienced users don’t explore some of the lesser-known specialized tools in SOLIDWORKS, often because they’re focused on design tasks. However, these tools add valuable capabilities that can transform how designers approach complex projects. For instance, if you are making organic models, traditional solid modeling might not do the trick. Surface modeling for instance, offers alternative tools and techniques that can help achieve the specific form or curvature you are striving for. Learning from an expert can help users understand when and how to use these specialized tools effectively, empowering them to take on more complex projects or streamline cross-functional collaboration.
If you’re working on a challenging part or need extra support to meet a deadline, our team of designers and engineers offers one-on-one mentoring to help you succeed. Collaborating with experts exposes you to fresh perspectives, alternative approaches, and innovative methods and tools that might not be obvious alone. An experienced SOLIDWORKS designer can optimize your workflow, applying best practices, leveraging advanced features, and improving efficiency to save time and avoid costly mistakes. Moreover, an industrial designer can enhance your product’s aesthetics, ergonomics, and user experience, ensuring it not only performs exceptionally but also aligns with brand standards and current market trends.
In the world of SOLIDWORKS, learning is a continuous process. Even seasoned users can fall into the habit of sticking to familiar methods, but this limits growth and creativity. By actively pursuing training and mentorship, users can stay on the cutting edge of the software, enhance workflow efficiency, and maintain a fresh perspective on what’s possible. So, even if you’re a pro, remember: in SOLIDWORKS, there’s always something new to learn.