Below is a list of training materials, hardware, and shortcuts and tips that helped me pass the CSWP and CSWA on my first try. I hope these resources help you guys the way that it helped me. For the books I recommend buying the CSWA first and then trading it back in to Amazon if you'd like to buy the CSWP one next, so that you can save a bit of money.
Books and DVD training:
1. If you are a student you can purchase the student edition software of solidworks which includes simulation and analysis modules similar to what you get in the premium version.
2. Official Guide to Certified SolidWorks Associate Exams - CSWA, CSDA, CSWSA-FEA (SolidWorks 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012): This well-written CSWA guide came with a DVD with all the practice parts, and very easy to follow chapter layout. You can easily practice and follow the examples in the book. One thing that I really liked was that it had pictures of the real CSWA test, which helped me get familiarized with how the test layout would work. This is a valuable companion. I owe this author for the ease with which I passed the test.
3. Infinite Skills Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) Exam - Training DVD: This was the final tune up for me right before I took the test since it included practice parts and video instruction that was clear and concise. I recommend this if you want to practice and learn by doing.
4. Official Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) Certification Guide with Video Instruction: SolidWorks 2012-2014: For the CSWP, I used this manual made from the same author that made the previously stated CSWA guide. It proved to be just what I needed to pass the test with great ease once again.
Hardware:
1. Logitech Mk520 Wireless Keyboard/ Mouse Combo: I found that using a wireless bluetooth keyboard and mouse made a big difference in adding much needed speed for my tests. I prefer logitech for the perfect balance of affordable price and quality. It still works flawlessly after two years.
2. ViewSonic VA2246M-LED 22" 1080p LED Monitor DVI, VGA: Double monitors are actually recommended by SolidWorks for the tests in order to have the test program showing the part that you are making on one screen and SolidWorks on the other monitor. This is a bit of a luxury, but I managed to use my living room Viewsonic PC monitor which was the same size and found it to be a very useful tool for speed. Make sure you have a computer that supports double monitors.
3. Dell Precision T3500 Workstation Xeon Quad-Core L5520 2.26GHz 12GB 250GB DVD±RW Windows 7 Professional w/RAID: Most importantly for me, I needed a cheap computer to run SolidWorks efficiently. I found the old dell t5400 and dell t3500 to be a very good and affordable PC that wont break the bank. So far I have used these PCs for rendering video and pictures, animation, and medium sized assemblies all without any issues.
Solidworks Keyboard Tips and Tricks:
These keyboard shortcuts will help any student or professional be faster for the certification test that SolidWorks offers, such as the CSWA and CSWP. These tests require you to know certain tools in order to create models given different dimensioned and annotated drawing views. I passed both exams with great ease on my first try thanks to the extra speed I gained by knowing and applying these shortcuts. This extra speed is often needed in a real job, especially when deadlines move forward unexpectedly
To pan model: hold ctrl+ hold rotate wheel
To rotate model: hold rotate wheel
Zoom fit all: type “ f ”
Magnifying glass: type “g”
Special shortcut key menu: type “s” remember that you can customize this at any point.
Zoom specifically: hover over area with mouse + rotate mouse wheel
Normal view in sketch mode: ctrl+8
Normal view with respect to any axis: click on the axis in the lower left corner to quickly orient a part
Normal view + other views: spacebar
To Assign Keyboard shortcuts: Rclick on black space on ribbon> go to “customize”> click “keyboard” tab> search for command
Shortcut Menu: use the “s” key to get quick access to commonly used tools. User Customizable
Change dimension precision: 1) For part file only: Rclick on part name> document prop’s> select dimension and change precision. 2) Global change: click units and modify as needed
To customize top menu: Rclick on top bar> choose customize> common tab> sketch> centerline> drag and drop
To add material to part: go to tree> Rclick on material > edit material
Rollback bar: temporarily undoes feature under the bar (similar to define in work object in catia)
Overall Drafting Standards: tools> options> document properties> ANSI or ISO
To change drafting dimensions: tools> options> document properties> expand dimensions
To change units: dropdown menu “tools”> options> “document properties” tab> units> choose MKS (SI) or IPS (british) OR in the lower right corner.
Hold the CTRL KEYTAB: use this in assembly mode to insert components quickly from the part tree by highlighting the part and pressing ctrl and drag into the view space.
To change the name of a feature: Click on the feature name in the tree and hit F2
To create a tangent arc when sketching a “line mode”: Either type the “A” on the keyboard OR hover over the last point made with the line tool until you see a circle appear. If you need the arc in the opposite direction you can hover once more over point until it changes.
Rotate a component in an assembly: point mouse over part and hold and drag the right mouse key.
Move a component in an assembly: point mouse over part and hold and drag the left mouse key.
Move a component with the triad: right click on a component choose “move with triad”
Select unseen faces to mate in an assembly: Rclick and choose “ select other”, and then hover mouse over each name in the dialog box until you find what you want to select.
To specify exact coordinates where you want to go with the triad: rclick on the triad, and choose “translate xyz box”
Float a fixed component in an assembly: right click in design tree and choose “float”
Fix the first component to the assembly origin: turn on “origins or temporary axes” in the heads up toolbar, and then drag the component over the assembly origin until you see that they snap to each other.
Select a different dimension for a circle or arc: insert smart dimension and then go to dim manager on the left side, go to “leaders” tab, and choose the option for either “center”, “min”, or “max”
Using one layout sketch to make multiple features from one sketch: Use the select contour to choose one specific contour region in the feature manager on the left side.
Fillet making rule: make larger fillets first and leave fillets for last in a design tree
Best sketch drawing practice: always add sketch relations first and then add dimensions.
To quickly show all dimensions for a part: Rclick on annotations folder in the design tree and choose “choose show all feature dimensions”
To create multiple bodies in a part file: uncheck the “merge” box when adding a feature and you will now see a “solid bodies” folder in the part tree.
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