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Chapter 1: Introducing SolidWorks
SolidWorks 2011 also creates a folder in the My Documents folder called GaBi which appears to only
have empty folders, but you should not remove it. Also in My Documents are two folders called
SolidWorks Downloads and SolidWorks Visual Studio Tools for Applications. Both of these should
also remain where they are. The SolidWorks Downloads folder is a good place to look for items that
are downloaded automatically from the Background Downloader or the SWIM.
When installing any software, it is best practice to exit out of all other software first, turn off antivirus
software, make sure you have enough hard drive space and otherwise meet the system requirements
outlined on the SolidWorks System Requirements Web page, and reboot when the installation is
complete.
You can also install without a DVD, using downloaded data instead. To do this, you need a subscrip-
tion account for the Customer Portal area of the SolidWorks Web site at
www.solidworks.com/sw/
support/Subscription
Services.html.
Trial installations, network licenses, student versions, administrative images, and other special cases
may require that you contact your reseller for technical support.
Starting SolidWorks for the First Time
SolidWorks has many tools for beginning users that are available when the software is installed. A
default installation presents you with several options when the software is started the first time.
Following is a description of these options, and how you can most benefit from them.
If you plan to go to formal SolidWorks reseller-based training classes, it is a very good idea to go
through some of the tutorials mentioned in this section first; this way you are prepared to ask edu-
cated questions and have a leg up on the rest of the class. You will get more out of the training with
the instructor if you have seen the material once before.
Examining the SolidWorks license agreement
It is useful to be familiar with what this document says, but the agreement does not have any bearing
on learning how to use the software other than the fact that it allows for a Home Use License. Many
users find this part of the license agreement helpful. The primary user of the license at work is also
allowed to use the license at home or on a portable computer. This is often a good option for learning
techniques, doing additional practice, or completing the design of that deck or soapbox derby car. If
your employer uses floating licenses, the rules are somewhat different. Contact your reseller for
details.
Viewing the Welcome to SolidWorks screen
The Welcome to SolidWorks screen, shown in Figure 1.2, is the next thing to greet you. This helps you
establish what type of tools you would like to see in the interface and gives you some help options.
You may not get the chance to see this dialog box if someone else, such as an IT person, has installed
and done an initial test on your software for you.
If you make a choice that you would like to change later, the options presented in this dialog box are
also available elsewhere. Although you will not see this dialog box again, the interface is highly cus-
tomizable and options exist for most things you might want to change. Chapter 2 covers interface cus-
tomization in more detail.
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