- Difference between DriveWorksXpress and Configurations (blog post)

- Introduction to the Configuration Publisher (CP)

- Using CP with files with and without existing design tables

- Tips for building option tables in CP

- Caveats to CP adding configurations automatically

Over the past couple of years, I have been digging into DriveWorks related products, from DriveWorksXpress, to the full DriveWorks Live and recently DriveWorks Solo, which I covered on the show a month ago.  While presenting at webinars, seminars and hands-on test drives with DrivewWorksXpress, the question that comes up often is, what's the difference between DriveWorks and configurations in SolidWorks. Almost exactly 2 years ago I wrote a post of the blog, "DriveWorksXpress vs. Design Tables" addressing this common question.

SolidWorks 2010 introduced Configuration Publisher which extends the PropertyManager to the process of dropping in parts and assemblies into an upper level assembly to configure them on the fly.  The best part about this new addition is it works with files that have existing design tables as well as files without them.  The customization tool is modeled after the Property Tab Builder, introduced in 2009, which has a built in preview option and the ability to publish up to 3D Content Central. ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP247.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

- Poll results for SolidWorks 2010 adoption plans

- Introduction to Design Studies in SolidWorks 2010

- Creating Design studies

- Evaluation vs. Optimization (without Simulation)

- Tip to save iterations into SolidWorks Configurations

I am still trying to recover from an extremely busy October and it is still all a blur.  SolidWorks 2010 has now shipped and available for download, most of the VAR rollouts are over around the world and now it is time to dig into the new functionality with a fine tooth comb and actually see how well it all performs!  After a month of events, I have talked with a lot of customers from all walks of design and the feedback is pretty positive to the lack of "new features" and focus on core functionality.

Another area that attracted a lot of attention was the fact that SolidWorks 2010 worked so well on Windows 7.  All of us were running it and nobody crashed running Pre-release 1 and even SP0 during any of the events (It usually happens at least once!) Knowing that SolidWorks is not "officially" supporting it until service pack 1, it is good to see this level of stability now since many customers are anxiously awaiting the upgrade!

Design studies is a great addition to core SolidWorks as well as SolidWorks Simulation and marries the best of Design Scenarios, Sensors and Optimization into one slick interface.  I wanted to talk about this new feature since so many SolidWorks users will think it is part of Simulation only (since the rollout demo focused on that part).  Hopefully many of you will try out the What's New Tutorial on Design Studies and see how it can give you greater design insight.

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP246.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

- October 1: Vuuch V1 ships

- October 5: SolidWorks Asia/Pacific Innovation Day 2009

- October 6: MicroWind Technology gets National Attention

- October 7: SolidWorks World user agenda available

- October 19: SolidWorks 2010 SP0 ships

- October 22: SolidWorks LABS Treehouse 2 & Microsoft Windows 7 ship

- Quick bit on Google Wave

As you can see October was not packed with the most stories but it was definitely the month for releases!  The month started out busy and full of news then it dropped off for the week 12th and then earlier than expected, SolidWorks posted 2010 SP0.  A few days later Microsoft launched Windows 7 on the 22nd, as expected, followed by a huge group of CAD users beginning to collaborate on Google Wave, playing around with all of it's HTML5 goodness!

I encourage you, if you are interested in installing SolidWorks 2010, to check out the Release Notes for 2010 first to make sure you are aware of some last minute info about the release.  I talk about some of it briefly in the podcast but I think it is always a good place to scan before doing a major update.

It has been a very busy month, after doing 12 casts in the What's New Series and being in the middle of Launch Month for DDI, I am looking forward to getting all of my new technology installed and ready.  I am currently running Windows 7 RTM with SolidWorks 2010 SP0 and all is running great.  I know official support for Windows 7 on SolidWorks 2010 won't be until SP1 but when has that stopped me...especially since I am doing all this on my Macbook Pro, which by the way, is also not officially supported either! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP245.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks.  Topics covered:

- DimXpert

- Cut list items

- Drawings views of weldments

- Materials in cut lists

- Property tab builder

- Support for virtual componenets in SolidWorks Explorer

- Support for the /3GB switch

This covers the last 3 chapters 25 - 27 of the What's New PDF (link provided by Ricky Jordan) and I recommend that you read this document to fully understand what is to come in SolidWorks 2010.  This document is written for those who have used the previous release in order to bring awareness to those new features and improvements added.

The goal of this series is to give you a portable, audio version of What's New to let you get up to speed on the go.  Maybe you will hear about something that will help you and when you get into the office, you will take a look.  We all get into our routines and typically don't venture out to find alternative, possibly more efficient ways of using this tool in our jobs.

I will be trying to release a show or two more a week (3 shows total) in order to try to get as much of the What's New delivered before the official download of SolidWorks 2010 FCS (First Customer Ship).  I will also try to still place the monthly Tech News cast on Sunday, once a month, to keep you up to all that is happening in the SolidWorks community.  This is the busiest time of year for SolidWorks with the launch and all the events around the new release so brace yourself for a month or so of constant SolidWorks content! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP244.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks.  Topics covered:

- Sketch fillet tool

- Fit spline tool

- Configurable # of instances in sketch entity patterns

- Linking sketch text to file properties

- Convert entities sketch tool

- Equation-driven curves

- Dimensions in 3D sketches

- SolidWorks Sustainability overview

- Compare BOM utility

- Simplify utility

- Utilities usability improvements

- Toolbox & Enterprise PDM integration

- Australian standard

- Toolbox custom properties

This covers chapters 21 - 24 of the What's New PDF (link provided by Ricky Jordan) and I recommend that you read this document to fully understand what is to come in SolidWorks 2010.  This document is written for those who have used the previous release in order to bring awareness to those new features and improvements added.

The goal of this series is to give you a portable, audio version of What's New to let you get up to speed on the go.  Maybe you will hear about something that will help you and when you get into the office, you will take a look.  We all get into our routines and typically don't venture out to find alternative, possibly more efficient ways of using this tool in our jobs.

I will be trying to release a show or two more a week (3 shows total) in order to try to get as much of the What's New delivered before the official download of SolidWorks 2010 FCS (First Customer Ship).  I will also try to still place the monthly Tech News cast on Sunday, once a month, to keep you up to all that is happening in the SolidWorks community.  This is the busiest time of year for SolidWorks with the launch and all the events around the new release so brace yourself for a month or so of constant SolidWorks content! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP243.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks.  Topics covered:

- SimulationXpress

- NAFEMS benchmarks

- Simulation interface

- Simulation Studies

- Connectors

- Mesh

- Contact

- Result viewing

This covers chapter 20 of the What's New PDF (link provided by Ricky Jordan) and I recommend that you read this document to fully understand what is to come in SolidWorks 2010.  This document is written for those who have used the previous release in order to bring awareness to those new features and improvements added.

The goal of this series is to give you a portable, audio version of What's New to let you get up to speed on the go.  Maybe you will hear about something that will help you and when you get into the office, you will take a look.  We all get into our routines and typically don't venture out to find alternative, possibly more efficient ways of using this tool in our jobs.

I will be trying to release a show or two more a week (3 shows total) in order to try to get as much of the What's New delivered before the official download of SolidWorks 2010 FCS (First Customer Ship).  I will also try to still place the monthly Tech News cast on Sunday, once a month, to keep you up to all that is happening in the SolidWorks community.  This is the busiest time of year for SolidWorks with the launch and all the events around the new release so brace yourself for a month or so of constant SolidWorks content! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP242.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks.  Topics covered:

- Manufacture-style flattening

- Adding components and assembly fittings to routes

- 180-degree elbows or bends for piping

- Access to pipe, tube, or electrical harness coverings

- Multiple CPoint enhancements

- P&ID data import and modeling process

- Reference designators

- Pipe and tube route export enhancements

- Routing library enhancements

- Multibody sheet metal parts

- Closed corner improvements

- Hem improvements

- Flat pattern improvements

- Exporting sheet metal parts to DXF or DWG

This covers chapters 18 - 19 of the What's New PDF (link provided by Ricky Jordan) and I recommend that you read this document to fully understand what is to come in SolidWorks 2010.  This document is written for those who have used the previous release in order to bring awareness to those new features and improvements added.

The goal of this series is to give you a portable, audio version of What's New to let you get up to speed on the go.  Maybe you will hear about something that will help you and when you get into the office, you will take a look.  We all get into our routines and typically don't venture out to find alternative, possibly more efficient ways of using this tool in our jobs.

I will be trying to release a show or two more a week (3 shows total) in order to try to get as much of the What's New delivered before the official download of SolidWorks 2010 FCS (First Customer Ship).  I will also try to still place the monthly Tech News cast on Sunday, once a month, to keep you up to all that is happening in the SolidWorks community.  This is the busiest time of year for SolidWorks with the launch and all the events around the new release so brace yourself for a month or so of constant SolidWorks content! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP241.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks.  Topics covered:

- Materials & multipbody parts

- Features

- PhotoWorks decals in PhotoView 360

- Controlling scenes

- Support for background images and custom environments

- Video tutorials

- Saving custom views

- Camera effects

This covers chapters 16 - 17 of the What's New PDF (link provided by Ricky Jordan) and I recommend that you read this document to fully understand what is to come in SolidWorks 2010.  This document is written for those who have used the previous release in order to bring awareness to those new features and improvements added.

The goal of this series is to give you a portable, audio version of What's New to let you get up to speed on the go.  Maybe you will hear about something that will help you and when you get into the office, you will take a look.  We all get into our routines and typically don't venture out to find alternative, possibly more efficient ways of using this tool in our jobs.

I will be trying to release a show or two more a week (3 shows total) in order to try to get as much of the What's New delivered before the official download of SolidWorks 2010 FCS (First Customer Ship).  I will also try to still place the monthly Tech News cast on Sunday, once a month, to keep you up to all that is happening in the SolidWorks community.  This is the busiest time of year for SolidWorks with the launch and all the events around the new release so brace yourself for a month or so of constant SolidWorks content! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP240.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks.  Topics covered:

- DXF/DWG Output PropertyManager

- Importing Rhino files on 64-bit

- Importing and exporting Adobe Photoshop files on 64-bit

- Importing Autodesk Inventor files

- Importing Adobe Illustrator files

- Saving TIF, JPG, or PSD files to a custom size

- Event-based Motion analysis

- Rigid groups

- Structural Simulation analysis for Motion

- Contact

- Setting the exact time for key points and the time bar

This covers chapters 14 - 15 of the What's New PDF (link provided by Ricky Jordan) and I recommend that you read this document to fully understand what is to come in SolidWorks 2010.  This document is written for those who have used the previous release in order to bring awareness to those new features and improvements added.

The goal of this series is to give you a portable, audio version of What's New to let you get up to speed on the go.  Maybe you will hear about something that will help you and when you get into the office, you will take a look.  We all get into our routines and typically don't venture out to find alternative, possibly more efficient ways of using this tool in our jobs.

I will be trying to release a show or two more a week (3 shows total) in order to try to get as much of the What's New delivered before the official download of SolidWorks 2010 FCS (First Customer Ship).  I will also try to still place the monthly Tech News cast on Sunday, once a month, to keep you up to all that is happening in the SolidWorks community.  This is the busiest time of year for SolidWorks with the launch and all the events around the new release so brace yourself for a month or so of constant SolidWorks content! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP239.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks.  Topics covered:

- Managing tasks

- Enterprise PDM and Toolbox integration

- File Explorer and SolidWorks add-in

- Item management

- Administration tool

- API

- Installation

- Documentation

This covers chapter 13 of the What's New PDF (link provided by Ricky Jordan) and I recommend that you read this document to fully understand what is to come in SolidWorks 2010.  This document is written for those who have used the previous release in order to bring awareness to those new features and improvements added.

The goal of this series is to give you a portable, audio version of What's New to let you get up to speed on the go.  Maybe you will hear about something that will help you and when you get into the office, you will take a look.  We all get into our routines and typically don't venture out to find alternative, possibly more efficient ways of using this tool in our jobs.

I will be trying to release a show or two more a week (3 shows total) in order to try to get as much of the What's New delivered before the official download of SolidWorks 2010 FCS (First Customer Ship).  I will also try to still place the monthly Tech News cast on Sunday, once a month, to keep you up to all that is happening in the SolidWorks community.  This is the busiest time of year for SolidWorks with the launch and all the events around the new release so brace yourself for a month or so of constant SolidWorks content! ~Lou

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

{audio}http://media.libsyn.com/media/gol10dr/SWH-EP238.mp3{/audio}

Download Episode