For courses in Mechanical Desktop and AutoCAD. A Tutorial Guide to Mechanical Desktop provides a step-by-step introduction to this software, with commands taught in context. Students make and assemble two complete projects as they follow step-by-step instructions to learn commands and techniques. As they progress, individual steps for common actions are no longer provided, so students can apply what they have learned by completing sequences on their own. This carefully developed pedagogy reinforces the cumulative learning approach and supports readers in becoming skilled Mechanical Desktop users. An excellent selection of exercises allows the student the opportunity to practice their skills.

Preface This tutorial guide provides a step-by-step introduction to the 3D modeling process and Mechanical Desktop 5, a powerful parametric 3D modeler for desktop computers. Novice modelers, as well as those who have experience with AutoCAD or another 2D CAD program, will experience the power of Mechanical Desktop as they complete parts, as3emblies, and drawings for two complete projects. Early tutorials get students started quickly with basic part modeling and drawing creation, then reinforce these Basics as students progress with more advanced modeling activities that introduce part modification, assembly modeling, working drawings, intelligent models using design variables, and using the model for visualization and analysis. Optional sections also introduce the use of Mechanical Desktop 5's Power Pack features for standard parts. Written for independent student use in the lab portion of a beginning engineering graphics course or in an introductory 3D modeling course, this guide's learn-by-doing approach will be useful to anyone who wants to get started using Mechanical Desktop 5 in the context of the modeling tasks encountered in engineering design. Proven Tutorial Approach Using a tutorial approach developed and refined for teaching AutoCAD, this manual guides students through the creation and assembly of two complete projects as they follow step-by-step instructions to learn commands and techniques. As students progress, individual steps for common actions are no longer provided, so students can apply what they have learned by completing sequences on their own. Each tutorial activity encourages students to relate the commands and techniques they are learning to the modeling process. Information about Mechanical Desktop is presented in a need-to-know fashion that makes it easy to remember. Tips and shortcuts are included where appropriate to help students become efficient and proficient Mechanical Desktop users. Help Reference boxes identify and locate topics in Mechanical Desktop's on-line Help where students can find more information for fixture projects. A Command Summary makes it easy to review and use the tutorials as a reference. Each tutorial concludes with exercises that allow students the opportunity to practice their skills with interesting and realistic models. Key Features Step-by-step tutorials written for the novice user Introductory chapter on configuring Mechanical Desktop for use with these tutorials Procedures follow and reinforce good modeling practice for engineering design Tips that anticipate common problems and offer suggestions for efficient practice Help References that identify and locate key topics in Mechanical Desktop Help Reference boxes refer students to discussion of graphics concepts in optional companion text,Engineering Design Communication. Challenging end-of-tutorial exercises keyed to the skills presented so far Command Summaries at the end of each tutorial and as a reference in the back of the book Glossary of modeling and Mechanical Desktop terminology Overview of the Tutorials Tutorials 1 through 3 introduce students to the basic components of parametric modeling: parts, assemblies, and drawings. Students become familiar with the 3D environment, tools for visualization, the basic sketching and modeling process, and making and printing a drawing as they complete the first part of the jack assembly. Tutorials 4 through 8 broaden this introduction with more techniques for modeling parts, assembling parts in an assembly, and creating drawings to document the assembly. Students learn more about sketching techniques and drawing aids, create revolved parts, pattern features, and placed features, and learn how to investigate and modify models created by someone else. By Tutorial 7, all of the parts for the ja