6 SolidWorks Books for Beginners That Build Strong Foundations

Expert recommendations from Matt Lombard, Alejandro Reyes, and Sandeep Dogra guide your SolidWorks journey with beginner-friendly resources.

Updated on June 24, 2025
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Every expert in SolidWorks started exactly where you are now—at the beginning, ready to tackle 3D design with curiosity and determination. SolidWorks remains a vital skill in engineering and product design, accessible through progressive learning and practical application. Whether you’re a student, hobbyist, or aspiring professional, building a solid foundation early on will smooth your path forward.

Matt Lombard, a mechanical engineer and renowned SolidWorks consultant, has authored key texts like the "SolidWorks Bible 2013" that combine deep understanding with clear guidance. Alejandro Reyes, a Certified SolidWorks Expert and longtime instructor, crafted the "Beginner's Guide to SOLIDWORKS 2018" to simplify the interface and core modeling techniques for newcomers. Sandeep Dogra, with decades of engineering and teaching experience, offers hands-on challenge books that promote confidence through practice.

While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized SolidWorks book that meets them exactly where they are. Tailored content can adapt to your focus areas and skill level, enhancing your learning journey.

Best for foundational SolidWorks concepts
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Matt Lombard is a mechanical engineer and independent SolidWorks consultant who has earned a reputation as a top resource through his popular blog and sessions at SolidWorks World. His expertise and teaching skill are evident in this book, which aims to make SolidWorks accessible without oversimplifying it. Lombard’s deep knowledge and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly make this guide an excellent starting point for anyone looking to develop their CAD skills with SolidWorks.
SolidWorks Bible 2013 book cover

by Matt Lombard··You?

1249 pages·SolidWorks, 3D Modeling, Part Modeling, Assembly Modeling, 2D Drawing

Matt Lombard's background as a mechanical engineer and his role as a SolidWorks consultant shine through in this extensive guide, offering a clear path for beginners to grasp not just how SolidWorks operates, but why it functions that way. The book carefully balances foundational topics like part and assembly modeling with advanced insights into file management and best practices, supported by video tutorials and downloadable example files. You’ll find chapters that demystify complex features like Pack-and-Go and search criteria, making it suitable for newcomers who want a solid start without feeling overwhelmed, as well as for experienced users seeking deeper understanding. If you want a resource that grows with your skills, this book provides a steady and thorough learning curve.

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Best for structured beginner learning
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Alejandro Reyes holds a BSME and a Masters in mechanical design, with over 25 years in CAD/CAM/FEA software and extensive SolidWorks teaching credentials. As a Certified SolidWorks Expert and longtime instructor, he crafted this book to simplify learning for beginners, focusing on practical modeling workflows and exam-relevant commands. His deep industry and teaching experience ensures that you get an approachable but thorough introduction to SolidWorks essentials.
2017·752 pages·SolidWorks, 3D Design, CAD Modeling, Assembly Modeling, Drawing Creation

After analyzing extensive teaching experience and industry demands, Alejandro Reyes developed a clear pathway for newcomers to grasp the essentials of SOLIDWORKS. He guides you through mastering the interface and core part modeling, assembly, and drawing commands, emphasizing process completion over isolated tool use. For example, the book includes chapters on creating components and their 2D drawings with Bills of Materials, preparing you for Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate and Professional exams. If you're starting from scratch and want structured, practical exposure to foundational SOLIDWORKS concepts, this book meets that need with a steady, approachable pace.

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Best for confident skill building
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This AI-created book on SolidWorks basics is crafted after you share your experience level, learning interests, and goals. It’s designed to guide you step-by-step through essential skills at a pace that suits you, helping avoid the common overwhelm many beginners face. By focusing on your unique journey, this book ensures your first steps in SolidWorks feel manageable and rewarding, setting a solid foundation for your future design work.
2025·50-300 pages·SolidWorks, SolidWorks Basics, User Interface, Sketching Techniques, Part Modeling

This tailored book offers a progressive and engaging introduction to SolidWorks designed specifically for beginners eager to build essential skills comfortably. It explores foundational concepts, core tools, and step-by-step modeling techniques that match your current background and learning pace. The content focuses on removing overwhelm by breaking down complex topics into manageable segments, enabling you to build confidence through hands-on exercises and clear explanations. By concentrating on your interests and goals, this personalized guide reveals a learning path crafted to your unique needs, fostering steady progress from novice to capable user. Whether you aim to design parts, assemblies, or drawings, this book supports your journey with tailored clarity and encouragement.

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Best for hands-on practice learners
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CADArtifex LLC, founded by mechanical engineer Sandeep Dogra with over 20 years of industry experience, brings a unique teaching approach to SolidWorks learning. This book encourages you to engage actively with 100 real-world mechanical exercises, helping you master 3D modeling through practice rather than passive instruction. Dogra’s expertise in engineering and education informs this flexible resource, designed to help beginners gain confidence and skill in SolidWorks and beyond.
2017·118 pages·SolidWorks, Engineering, Design, 3D Modeling, Mechanical Design

The breakthrough moment came when CADArtifex, led by mechanical engineer Sandeep Dogra, crafted this book not as a tutorial but as a hands-on challenge for learners eager to sharpen their 3D design skills. Instead of spoon-feeding step-by-step instructions, it pushes you to analyze real-world mechanical drawings and then create your own models, fostering deeper understanding and problem-solving ability. With 100 practical exercises, you develop proficiency in using SolidWorks’ powerful tools while also gaining the adaptability to apply these skills across other CAD platforms. This approach suits beginners who want to build confidence through practice and designers looking to elevate their modeling capabilities without being overwhelmed by theory.

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Best for progressive skill builders
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CADArtifex LLC, founded by Sandeep Dogra with over twenty years in engineering and design, created this textbook to provide high-quality learning solutions for engineering students and professionals. Dogra’s extensive experience and membership in the Autodesk Developer Network underpin the book’s clear, beginner-friendly approach to SOLIDWORKS. This guide focuses on teaching you how to create parametric 3D components, assemblies, and drawings, making it a solid starting point for anyone entering mechanical CAD design.
SOLIDWORKS 2020: A Power Guide for Beginners and Intermediate User book cover

by CADArtifex, John Willis, Sandeep Dogra··You?

2020·800 pages·SolidWorks, 3D Design, Engineering, CAD Software, Sketching

This book removes barriers for newcomers by breaking down the complexities of SOLIDWORKS 2020 into manageable lessons that build your skills progressively. Sandeep Dogra and co-authors, backed by decades of engineering and teaching experience, designed it to help you master the core environments like sketching, part modeling, assembly, and drawing. You'll find step-by-step tutorials in every chapter, including hands-on exercises that reinforce your understanding of parametric 3D design and configurations. Whether you're self-learning or supplementing classroom instruction, the book’s clear structure supports your journey from beginner to intermediate user without overwhelming you.

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Best for latest beginner features
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This book stands out as a straightforward introduction to SolidWorks 2021, designed specifically for those just starting out. It offers a clear progression through core topics like part modeling, assemblies, and technical drawings, paired with practical exercises that bring each concept to life. Whether you prefer to work chapter by chapter or jump into tutorials immediately, the book adapts to your learning style. Its focus on the latest software features makes it a useful companion for beginners looking to gain confidence and competence in SolidWorks without getting lost in complexity.
2021·376 pages·SolidWorks, 3D Modeling, Part Modeling, Assemblies, Drawings

What happens when clear structure meets practical learning? This book transforms the SolidWorks learning curve into manageable steps, guiding you through everything from basic sketching to complex assemblies. The chapters are arranged so you can either follow along systematically or jump straight into hands-on tutorials, such as extrude and revolve features in chapters 3 and 4, which demonstrate real design applications. If you're new to SolidWorks and want a resource that balances explanation with practice, this book lays out the essentials without overwhelming technical jargon. It's ideal if you aim to build foundational skills for part modeling, assemblies, and drawings.

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Best for personalized learning pace
Audiobook version not available
This custom AI book on SolidWorks basics is created based on your current skill level and specific learning preferences. It focuses on introducing key concepts at a comfortable pace tailored just for you. By addressing your unique goals and easing common beginner challenges, this book offers a personalized path through foundational SolidWorks skills that keeps you engaged and confident.
2025·50-300 pages·SolidWorks, SolidWorks Basics, 3D Modeling, Part Modeling, Assembly Techniques

This tailored book explores the fundamentals of SolidWorks with a focus crafted specifically for your learning style and background. It covers core concepts progressively, helping you build a strong foundation without feeling overwhelmed. By concentrating on your unique pace and comfort level, the book reveals essential techniques in part modeling, assemblies, and sketching, designed to build your confidence steadily. Through a personalized learning experience, it addresses the challenges beginners often face, offering a clear path through foundational topics that match your goals and interests. This approach ensures an engaging introduction to SolidWorks, making complex ideas accessible and tailored to how you best absorb new skills.

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Best for diverse exercise practice
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SOLIDWORKS 200 EXERCISES stands out by focusing on practical application rather than detailed tutorials, making it ideal for newcomers who want to deepen their CAD skills through doing. This book compiles 200 exercises that cover a wide range of difficulty levels, allowing you to practice both basic and complex designs independently. Its compatibility with multiple feature-based modeling software, including SolidWorks, CATIA, and Autodesk Inventor, broadens its usefulness for anyone working in 3D design. By emphasizing hands-on practice with engineering drawings and orthographic projections, it offers a clear path for learners aiming to build solid modeling foundations at their own pace.
SOLIDWORKS 200 EXERCISES book cover

by SACHIDANAND JHA·You?

2019·110 pages·SolidWorks, 3D Modeling, CAD Exercises, Engineering Drawings, Orthographic Projections

When Sachidanand Jha crafted this collection, he envisioned a practical tool for those eager to sharpen their CAD skills without the pressure of rigid tutorials. Instead of walking you through each model step by step, this book offers 200 varied exercises that challenge you to apply your SolidWorks knowledge in realistic scenarios. You’ll develop proficiency with orthographic views, projections, and feature-based modeling through diverse tasks suited for beginners to advanced users. This approach suits anyone looking to build hands-on experience and confidence in CAD software by tackling independent, dimensioned designs at their own pace.

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Conclusion

These six SolidWorks books share a commitment to guiding beginners through accessible, step-by-step learning combined with practical challenges. Together, they cover fundamental concepts, structured tutorials, and real-world exercises that build confidence and skill progressively.

If you're completely new, starting with the "Beginner's Guide to SOLIDWORKS 2018" offers structured exposure to core commands. For hands-on growth, "SOLIDWORKS Exercises" and "SOLIDWORKS 200 EXERCISES" provide varied practical challenges. Moving into current software features, "SOLIDWORKS 2021 For Beginners" helps you stay up to date. The "SolidWorks Bible 2013" serves as a foundational resource you can revisit as you advance.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized SolidWorks book that fits your exact needs, interests, and goals to create your own personalized learning journey. Building a strong foundation early sets you up for success in SolidWorks and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Beginner's Guide to SOLIDWORKS 2018" for a clear, structured introduction. It eases you into the interface and core modeling concepts without overwhelming you.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to SolidWorks?

No, all selected books focus on beginners. For example, "SOLIDWORKS 2021 For Beginners" balances explanation with hands-on tutorials tailored to newcomers.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with the "Beginner's Guide to SOLIDWORKS 2018," then practice with "SOLIDWORKS Exercises" and "SOLIDWORKS 200 EXERCISES." Use "SolidWorks Bible 2013" as a reference as you grow.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Both have value. Newer books like "SOLIDWORKS 2021 For Beginners" cover current features, while classics like "SolidWorks Bible 2013" offer solid foundational knowledge.

Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?

No prior knowledge is needed. These books assume you’re new and build fundamentals from scratch, focusing on practical skills and clear explanations.

Can personalized books help me learn SolidWorks faster?

Yes! Personalized books complement expert guides by tailoring content to your pace and goals. They help focus on what matters most for you. Learn more here.

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