May Tech News:

This podcast covers the SolidWorks and CAD-related tech news that broke since mid-April covering the SolidWorks Blog, various tech alerts and other industry tech news. Topics covered:

SolidWorks Blog:

- Hats off to the most innovate SW users

- More interesting Simulation applications

- Tons of guest posts from SW AEs from around the world (awesome!)

- Indent tool tips (Josh Altergott, Support Manager CATI)

- New SW Freeze tips (Jerald Staley, Elite AE, CSWE at DASI Solutions)

- LABEL IT in EPDM (Jeff Sweeney, Data Geek, 3DVision Technologies)

- Gems in Templates (Brian VanderPloeg, AE at Fisher/Unitech)

- Cool Medical Simulation (Gordon Stewart, Elite AD , CSWE at TMS CAD Centre)

- Direct Edit/Move Face (Jeff Setzer, Training Coordinator at Graphics Systems)

- eDrawing for iPad ships

Tech Alerts:

- Enterprise PDM 2012 SP3 is available for Download

- Windows XP reminder that 2012 is the last supported version

- New Part Reviewer sample parts available

Support Monthly FAQ:

- XP Retirement & license entitlement server woes

- EPDM tips for title blocks and Toolbox

- SolidWorks Plastics Pro vs. Premium

- New Knowledge base articles 

Industry News:

- Google Drive launches

- 3D Search engine launched by Fujitsu ( I have seen this before with ShapeSpace ) - (source by SolidSmack)

- 3 Great articles on Cloud CAD ( 3D CAD Tips | Graphic Speak | to3Dnow )

The past month has been a great month for tech news in the CAD industry.  SolidWorks is bringing the content to their blog that users want by reaching out to the application engineer network across their reseller network.  These are the people in the trenches with users and use the software daily and have endless tips, trick and other great view on these tools.

With the launch of eDrawings for iPad, SolidWorks is going to get an influx of user response, both positive and negative about how they want to use their 3D CAD data via mobile.  The application has been patched since it's release but still is lacking the big features and device support that a vast majority of user that have responded are asking for.  Good start but long road ahead to awesome!

This month's SWSMFAQ is awesome, packed full of goodies for users across a number of products and aspects.  SolidWorks KB has improved so much over the past 4 or so years and is still a place I start when trying to solve issues.  Sometimes it has great examples, downloads and sample code snippets to help is almost every aspect of the SolidWorks product line.  This is a packed show, buckle up! ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

eDrawings for iPad:

This podcast cover the much awaited mobile move for DS SolidWorks to finally ship a native SolidWorks viewer on mobile devices.  Their decision was to move on eDrawings on one platform, the iPad.  Topics covered:

- A brief overview and first impressions

- What eDiPad does for iPad users

- What can be "seen" from a SolidWorks published eDrawing

- What can be "seen" from an a modified eDrawing from eDrawings Pro.

- What needs to be in version 2

- Future wish list

- Overall thoughts for this V1 app from DS SolidWorks

For years users have waited for SolidWorks to make a move on mobile and finally the start of this movement took place this past week.  Although shipping an iPad only app would have been fine 1.5 years ago, in today's mobile market where Android, a 50% market leader in mobile operating systems, was not addressed in their mobile strategy.  The decision to also not ship the new mobile app on phone platforms on either iOS or Android has also ruffled a few feathers as well.

eDrawings for iPad is a much need app to offer native viewing solutions for SolidWorks, DXF/DWG, DraftSight and Pro/Engineer files.  Support for the "Open In.." functionality, iPad users can open these data sets from Mail, Dropbox, SkyDrive, Box.Net and other application throughout the device.

Other then the overall out cry for support for Android, the real miss was not providing the productivity tool sets eDrawings users want like markup and measure.  I hope this application can be more operating system egoistic and provide the tools that allow "users on the go" to get productive work done.  I have done extensive testing and have posted my compatibility chart here.  ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SolidWorks CRUD:

This podcast covers tips and tricks on options for CRUD: Create, Read, Update and Delete (dropped D and substituted P for Pack and Go) methods in SolidWorks. Topics covered:

CREATE:

- New SolidWorks docs

- Customize Template Tabs

READ:

- Open SolidWorks docs

- Open dialog options (

- Open from recent list (and folder link)

- Drag and Drop (even Zip files)

UPDATE:

- Save and Save modified

- Save As (watch out, when it doubt, save as copy)

- Close and Close all

- Close from open documents menu

DELETE: PACK AND GO:

- Pack and Go vs. Save-As references

- Pack and Go from Windows Explorer

- Other SolidWorks WinEx options (Rename, Replace.... and now Move!)

CRUD is a methodology in programming that I believe applies to much that we do on the computer and so this show is a back to basics to refresh how you think about doing these interactions with SolidWorks.  For a few years now, SoildWorks has added some nice additions to the way we interact while doing these fundamental activities, as we do with most computer applications.

With new releases of software, many of us don't have the time to modify how we use SolidWorks.  We all just want to use SolidWorks to get things done and we fall into our "ruts" of how we interact.  Create, Read & Update actions are all we are doing so getting a refresh of alternative methods can give an an "ah ha!" moment.  This show talks about some of these new methods and other tips to make these frequent interactions more efficient.

Sometime getting back to basics allows us to re-evaluate new functions and methods to ultimately alter our (especially mine) set ways of using SolidWorks.  If you have some interesting modification suggestions, please leave a comment.  ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

Belt & Mechanism Tools Revisited:

This podcast covers some tools in SolidWorks to conceptualize mechanisms and other mechanical interfaces. Topics covered:

- Creating belts in sketches

- Inserting belts into assemblies

- Interface options

- Traction relation

- Make path options

- Applications

It has been a couple of busy weeks and I have not been able to sit down and dig into a few shows that I have been planning, but the show must go on.  In lieu of that, I have reached back into the archives, about 5 years ago, and pulled up one of my favorite tool sets in core SolidWorks.

For those of you who have to do R&D or any sort of "idea storming", the layout tools are great to help verify before any real heavy modeling has to take place.  I typically have used these tools for verifying things like range of motion and sketching seems to be the best way to tweak the design in the early stages.

Once in 3D many of these relationships can be utilized for easy of not only fit, form and function testing but also for animations and other visual content creation.  If it has been a while since you have tried them out, lookup "Layout Sketches" or "Belts and Pulleys" in the SolidWorks help. ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

April Tech News:

This podcast covers the SolidWorks and CAD-related tech news that broke since mid-March covering the SolidWorks Blog, various tech alerts and other industry tech news. Topics covered:

SolidWorks Blog:

- Multiple posts on Simulation products

- Announcing the launch of SolidWorks Plastics

- More posts from the new Demo Library

- More technical content posted via VARS!

Tech Alerts:

- Suggest more learning content to SW

- SolidWorks 2012 SP3 ships

- Activation server issue after SP3 launch (resolved)

- SolidWorks 2012 SP3 Release notes overview

- EPDM/Toolbox issue with Copy Part on

Industry Tech News:

- iPad/tablet market update

- Chromebook changes (web as a platform)

- Windows 8 Metro and CAD

Tax Day!... Ugg.  Here is the US the dreaded April 15th rolls around and for those of us who had to pay...a moment of silence.  Anyway, tech news can be a little thin during this time of year right before the hot beta season kicks off but still a ton going on.

SolidWorks has made some great strides to get more technical content into the SolidWorks blog by inviting some guest bloggers from their reseller (VAR) channel.  This has already brought some great posts into the fold and I hope to see more of it continue over the coming months.

With the release of SolidWorks Plastics, 2012 SP3 and more technical content, tech news is easier to come by these days.  I should get some time on SWPL over the coming weeks and recap the thoughts so far.  We did get it installed yesterday and the interface is really nice and workflow is simple with a lot of configuration options so stayed tuned! ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SolidWorks Plastics:

This podcast covers the newest SolidWorks product, Plastics, addressing mold flow simulation that was announced at the beginning of this week. Topics covered:

- Introduction to Plastics

- User Interface

- Functionality and application

- Profession vs. Premium packages

- Miscellanious info

SolidWorks Plastics is a new offering that brings back simulation to the mold space inside of SolidWorks that was lost to AutoDesk back after SolidWorks 2007.  You may remember when MoldFlowXpress was integrated inside of SolidWorks, which did very simple part filling simulation for free.  There have been partner product like Simpoe or Moldex3D that have been available for SolidWorks users for years providing mold simulation tools.

Although MoldFlow was available for years as a 3rd party product, it's UI and workflow was difficult to use but was a standard in the space for SolidWorks users.  SolidWorks Plastics brings that "easy to use" feel and adds some great high end simulation features to address common issues faced by mold designers.

I have yet to get this product installed to take it for a spin but it appears to be a great addition to the SolidWorks family of products and rounding out the mold design tools that SolidWorks provides on the CAD side.  I am surprised it took this long to respond but working with Simpoe was a smart move and users will be in for a real treat in the mold space. ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

Sunglass:

This podcast covers a browser-based 3D collaboration tool that give you live, 3D interaction, markup and other design review tools. Topics covered:

- Sunglass signup and overview

- Uploading content

- View navigation and object manipulation

- Live collaboration tools

- Markup and save options

- First impressions

I am always looking for the next web-based 3D tool for helping engineers and designers collaborate on ideas.  I heard about this tool a while back from SolidSmack and have been playing with it quite a bit.  This MIT startup based out of the bay area just received $1.7M in funding and is quite impressive in its early stages.

I am unsure, at this point, if Sungless is more beneficial to its users than using screen-sharing tools along with their CAD platforms, however it shows is the promise of browser-based tools that can be run from anywhere for hassle-free collaboration.  Hopefully as it develops they will add more native file formats (currently OBJ, 3DS and STL) and possibly launch simple upload tools directly from the CAD platform in order to remove the export step for collaboration.

The tool does require flash, which rules out many mobile platforms, however performance-wise the service ran pretty well and the collaboration experience was quite good.  Chat, markup, view saving and live 3D collaboration environment make this browser-based tool a service I will keep my eye on for months to come. ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

eDrawings Can Do That?:

This podcast covers a number of features of eDrawings.  Some you know and some you might ask "eDrawings can do that?".  Topics covered:

- eDrawings brief overview

- Open and save options

- Tools that publish to eDrawings

- Differences between standard and pro

- Features in the Mac version

- Auto-explode any assembly

- Other hidden gems

eDrawings was one of the features of SolidWorks that caught my eye back when I was buying SolidWorks years ago.  Every year SolidWorks ships updates to this ubiquitous viewing tool and after the past 10 years or so the features have stacked up.  

We all fall victim to using these tools the same way despite the introduction of new features so let's find a few nuggets! I'm sure many of you publish often from SolidWorks and forget that you can publish animations, simulation data, BOM, mass properties and many other aspects of the SolidWorks' toolsets.

eDrawings has become my default viewer for opening SolidWorks, DXF, STL, PRO/E and even SolidWorks templates.  I also use it from OSX to view and measure any of my SW documents with all the Professional features.  My favorite nuggets is CTRL+E... ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

March Tech News:

This podcast covers the SolidWorks and CAD-related tech news that broke since mid-February covering the SolidWorks Blog, various tech alerts and other industry tech news. Topics covered:

SolidWorks Blog:

- SWW12 Contest winners

- SW Interview with NAO Robot Father

- Riding the free CAM highway

- Saving $$$ on Books and Workstations

- Breaking the Hot Rod Baby Buggy

- New public Demo library

- DraftSight (2D 2M strong)

- 3D, Beer and Cloverleafs?

SolidWorks Tech Alerts:

- New Featured Content Blog (link broke on the alert site)

- Model Mania 2012 files posted

SW 2012 Release Notes (tech highlights):

- SW2013 will be the last version of EPDM to support server 2003

- How to repair equations from SW2011 (multiple instances and externally linked)

- Mirror Components bug squashed in SP2

- Sheet Metal menu rename in SP1

Industry Tech News:

- Experiences with Windows 8 after 2 weeks

- iPad and the tablet market views 

March tends to be a slow news month since the news from SolidWorks World has died down and it is before any of the products are in beta.  However, there are always things to talk about and there were a few good nuggets in the SolidWorks blog worth mentioning as well as some technical alerts and release notes tidbits.

I also share my experiences with Windows 8 Consumer Preview after using it for 2 weeks and the aspects of this new OS that I am looking forward to.  I hear a lot of push back from some users but the reality is, Windows 8 is almost the same as Windows 7 with some nice navigation options and a new platform that can be used across all platforms and input devices (Desktop, Mobile, Tablet, Touch, Mouse and Keyboard).  I call that flexibility.  I am anxious to see how developers will use the Metro UI and what types of applications lend themselves to the full-screen, web tech, touch friendly environment.

I also wonder how the new iPad launch with superior screen and hardware/form factor specs will impact the tablet market.  My fear is the iPad, as a whole, has marked its position at the top of this category like the iPod did before it in the MP3 market.  I hope Google enters into the market with their own device (like they did with the Nexus brand in phones) to show the OEMs how to do it right.  In the end, competition is good for us, consumers, so manufacturers are always on their toes and innovating. ~Lou 

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SolidWorks on Windows 8:

This podcast covers the new release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, what is really different, what is the same, and how SolidWorks current lineup installed on the OS.  Topics covered:

- Downloading, installing and testing 

- More Windows8 resources

- Building Windows 8 (Steven Sinofsky's blog)

- WinSuperSite (Paul Thurrott's blog)

- AllAboutMicrosoft (Mary Jo Foley's blog)

- Windows Weekly (TWiT podcast)

- Major differences with Windows 8 vs. Windows 7

- What has stayed the same

- Installation experience of SolidWorks current product line

- Thoughts about how SolidWorks could use the new Metro UI

Last week Microsoft launched the consumer preview of their next operating system, Windows 8.  Since the launch of XP, I have installed early builds of these operating systems, testing the install of the current line up from SolidWorks for compatibility.  Back in October I installed the Developer preview of Windows 8 but the product was not as far along and much could still be tweaked so I opted to wait to test out SolidWorks.

With Windows 8 bringing the "touch first" approach to the user with the new Metro UI, this changes the experience and removes something many users have gotten used to since 1996, the Start button.  With the start menu being removed and replaced with a Metro Start Menu, there is a lot of potential to positively change the way we think about finding, launching and using applications in the new operating system.

The SolidWorks product line faired well, especially since it is considered a "classic" application and would run in the desktop mode, essentially feeling right at home as though it was Windows 7.  I talk about the install and the little differences as it installed into Windows 8. ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD!