I started learning solidworks. I noticed definite benefits in memory and learning, as long as I wasnt being “coached” by my supervisor or his boss. They moved so doggone fast I couldn’t keep up.
I get that. I’m an NX guy. I hadn’t worked in CAD at all between mid-2016 and Dec. of last year. I’m back now with a local company but the re-learning curve has been intense because I was using NX9 then and now I’m using NX12-something...Plus, I’m working in an area I never was an expert in. However, the group leaders and some who are experts are always there to help out but sometimes they just rush through their “demo” or only tell you what clicks to make without giving time to let it sink in as to why it matters. I’m glad to be back in the saddle and to have that thought process reemerging after the 5 1/2 years I spent doing other things. I must have needed it because it feels good to have my brain firing on all cylinders again.
Good for you. I am sure that your efforts will be rewarded with both the satisfaction of learning something new and the ability to work with the industry standard 3D Design program. However, there are other programs that allow you to do the same thing with less expense and effort depending on what you are hoping to accomplish.
I purchased a 3D Printer several years ago and like to design parts and assemblies to print. I have tried lots of 3D Design programs. Microsoft's free 3D Builder, Microsoft 3D Builder is simple and fun to tinker with, and is useful for using as a viewer for designs you can find on https://www.thingiverse.com/ etc... But it has very limited design features if you are trying to print precise parts that fit into an assembly.
There are a wide range of programs available both paid and free. Unfortunately, most are not particularly intuitive. My favorite quick and dirty program was discontinued by Autodesk... it is called 123D Design. Autodesk was giving it away on Amazon before they pulled their support completely. There are currently still legit free downloads for it if you just do a search. There are also many tutorials on YouTube and from other sources that show how to use it... The primary minor irritation is the nag to sign in when you can no longer actually create an account to save your designs on Autodesk's servers. You just save your files locally and ignore the nags.
I like 123D Design it because it is very easy to import 3-D SAT files from parts suppliers such as https://www.mcmaster.com/ and incorporate them into your design without going to a lot of trouble. As an example, if you want threads in your part... instead of going to all the trouble of figuring out how to draw 3-D threads in your design you just import the 3-D SAT file of a bolt or screw with the correct sized threads from www.mcmaster.com, place them precisely in your design where you want them, then instead of merging them into the solid you subtract them... Extremely simple and extremely intuitive.
If you want to do the same thing in Solidworks even though it is designed to do just that; it is more work. Here is a tutorial to demonstrate. Not difficult, but less intuitive and more time consuming. https://youtu.be/SZ7AJTW6MEw
Most of the more advanced 3D Design programs can be very frustrating for beginners to figure out even using step by step tutorials.