3D CAD software chosen for its ease of use and short learning curve

Citation

(2001), "3D CAD software chosen for its ease of use and short learning curve", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773aab.025

3D CAD software chosen for its ease of use and short learning curve

3D CAD software chosen for its ease of use and short learning curve

Keywords: SolidWorks, University of California at Berkeley, CAD, Computer software, Mechanical engineering, Education

SolidWorks Corporation recently announced that it has installed SolidWorks software for 105 workstations at the University of California at Berkeley to be used in teaching mechanical engineering students during the academic year 2000-2001 in Berkeley's College of Engineering.

Berkeley's Mechanical Engineering Department offers approximately 50 undergraduate courses divided into a lower division and an upper division. Students are introduced to SolidWorks in lower division courses, such as the Basic Engineering and Design Graphics class, and then use their knowledge of the software throughout the upper division courses. In Basic Engineering and Design Graphics, students are introduced to engineering design processes, graphics communications tools, conceptual design techniques, tolerance analyses, and spatial reasoning skills.

"SolidWorks' ease of use and short learning curve are two essential reasons why we use the software in our engineering courses", said Hami Kazerooni, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley. "We have other CAD packages available in our design labs, but the students have shown a strong preference for SolidWorks due to its ease-of-use, speed, power and flexibility."

"When students are first learning the basics of engineering, CAD software shouldn't impede the learning process – it should facilitate it. That's exactly what SolidWorks does", said Rosanne Kramer, manager of SolidWorks' worldwide education markets. "We are proud to be a part of Berkeley's top-notch curriculum. The combination of SolidWorks software and Berkeley's engineering courses gives graduates the essential skills they need to be successful."

Details available from: SolidWorks Corporation. Tel: +1 978 371 5000; E-mail: sabine@solidworks.com SolidWorks UK. Tel: +44 (0) 118 931 9800; Fax: +44 (0) 118 931 9801; Web site: www.solidworks.com