Yeah, you could use Solidworks to create 3D surfaces etc.
However, in all the years I've used Solidworks, I haven't done any surface modelling.
When I first started using Solidworks, back in 98, surface modelling was one of its weaknesses. I believe that over the recent years, it has progressed a lot.
To me, it seems that Solidworks is one of the more active companies in the CAD industry. I receive magazines in the post at work, such as M-Cad, Design Engineer etc, an
I might try and model something through lunchtime.
In my understanding, there is a big cost difference between the high-end Catia V5, Unigraphics & Ideas, compared to the more mid-range programs such as Solidworks, ProE, Solidedge, and inventor.