SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2018 Power Guide for Beginners and Intermediate

In this review of SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2018: A Power Guide for Beginners and Intermediate Users, the book proves itself as a practical, classroom-ready textbook for engineers and designers learning finite element analysis. The single biggest reason to buy is its clear, task-focused progression through common FEA workflows in SOLIDWORKS Simulation, making it useful both for instructor-led courses and self-paced study. The reviewer found the full-color layout and chapter organization particularly helpful for following examples and applying techniques to real design problems.

Key Features

• Instructor-friendly structure: The textbook is organized into 10 chapters that support instructor-led courses and guided classroom exercises, enabling straightforward lesson planning.
• Comprehensive topic coverage: Chapters cover Linear Static, Buckling, Fatigue, Frequency, Drop Test, and Non-linear Static analysis so readers see a broad range of FEA methods.
• Stepwise workflows: The book details practical steps such as Preparing Geometry and applying Boundary Conditions so learners can reproduce analyses in SOLIDWORKS Simulation.
• Full-color presentation: Color illustrations and screenshots make model setup and result interpretation easier to follow during self-study or lectures.
• Targeted for engineers and designers: Emphasis on real-world engineering problems helps readers apply concepts directly to product design and validation tasks.

Who It's For

The book is best suited for mechanical engineers, design students, and CAD professionals who already use SOLIDWORKS and want a focused, practical guide to the Simulation module. It helps beginners learn foundational FEA concepts and supports intermediate users looking to expand into analyses like fatigue and drop tests.

Those seeking an exhaustive theoretical reference on finite element mathematics or a quick troubleshooting cheat sheet may need to supplement this textbook. Advanced FEA practitioners requiring extensive meshing theory or niche non-linear material models might look for specialized references in addition to this guide.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, classroom-ready chapter layout that simplifies course instruction and self-study.
• Wide range of analysis types covered, providing practical exposure to common FEA tasks.
• Full-color visuals and step-by-step setup guidance that improve comprehension for newcomers.

Cons

• Not a deep theoretical treatise on FEA mathematics, so users needing advanced theory should consult additional texts.

Specifications

Title	SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2018: A Power Guide for Beginners and Intermediate Users
Authors	CADArtifex, Sandeep Dogra, John Willis
Edition	Full Color Edition
Pages	392 pages
Chapters	10 chapters
Major Topics	Linear Static, Buckling, Fatigue, Frequency, Drop Test, Non-linear Static

Our Verdict

This textbook is a solid value for engineers, instructors, and designers who want a practical, example-driven route into SOLIDWORKS Simulation. Its full-color layout and comprehensive set of common analysis types make it a dependable classroom aid and a useful self-study resource for applying FEA workflows to real design problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for classroom instruction?
Yes. The 10-chapter organization and stepwise examples are designed to support instructor-led courses and lab exercises.

Does it cover advanced non-linear analysis?
It includes Non-linear Static analysis topics, but readers seeking deep theoretical derivations should pair it with specialized FEA theory texts.

Who are the authors?
The book is by CADArtifex with contributions from Sandeep Dogra and John Willis, focused on practical SOLIDWORKS Simulation workflows.