Latest Blog posts from SolidSolutions.co.uk

SolidWorks Part Reviewer

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:18:00 UTC

In SolidWorks 2012 (specifically SP1.0) you may have seen a new add in appear in the list (Tools > Add Ins). The SolidWorks Part Reviewer is designed to help you understand the methodology adopted for a SolidWorks Part. The Reviewer allows you to "step through" the model's history and using the comments function, you can add descriptive text at each step which is great when collaborating with suppliers, customers and even internally with your colleagues.

As well as the SolidWorks Help Topics, and the SolidWorks Forum we have a couple of useful videos uploaded on our Solid Solutions TV website. Check them out using the links below:

SolidWorks Part Reviewer- Quick Start Video

What's New 2012- The Hidden Bits

Adam Hartles

Training Manager

eDrawings is now available for the iPad

Tue, 01 May 2012 10:16:00 UTC

Dassault Systems today announced the launch of the long awaited and much anticipated eDrawings App! This new App is only available for the iPad and costs £1.49. View, share, and collaborate from anywhere with this easy-to-use, email-enabled software trusted by engineers and non-CAD users worldwide.
>>DOWNLOAD TODAY


Key Capabilities include... Review AutoCAD® DWG and DXF files, native SolidWorks® parts, assemblies, and drawings Open files from email, iTunes® File Sharing, or internal network Zoom, pan, and rotate 2D or 3D CAD data with the touch of a finger View 3D animations, 3D standard views, and 2D drawing views Browse assembly components tree, configurations, and drawing sheets View designs in full screen – just double tap to expand it on the screen Store files on your iPad through iTunes Files Sharing
>>DOWNLOAD TODAY

SolidWorks Training- Bristol

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:52:00 UTC

We are always looking to give our customer base more access to our SolidWorks training faciities and with this in mind we are pleased to announce a new training venue in Bristol. Just a short walk from the floating harbour we have based oursleves in the Orega building off Victoria Street, with fantastic board room facilities and refreshments. You will find details of the up and coming training schedules via the following link.

Adam Hartles

Training Manager

Certify Your SolidWorks Skills

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:00:00 UTC

SolidWorks has always had a fantastic certification program, designed to test the most proficient of users' skills. In recent years SolidWorks has revamped its Certification Program to allow users to specialise in key areas of the software.

The most popular and established of exams is the CSWP (Certified SolidWorks Professional). This has been around for a number of years and has gone through a number of revisions. Currently the exam is split into 3 segments, ranging between 40 and 90 minutes. Worldwide there are just over 20,000 CSWPs, and in the UK nearly 700 (21 of which are Solid Solutions staff).

More recently, SolidWorks have expanded the program- we now have the ultimate test, the CSWE (Expert) which requires a deep knowledge of not only core functionality but niche areas like surface modelling, mold tool design, sheet metal and weldments.

Not only are these exams a great addition to CVs, they prove your depth of knowledge of applying key skills to typical design problems, and designing products that can accomodate design changes.

Check out the SolidWorks Certification web page here, and if you are a currently subscribed customer, keep a look out for the promotional offers to take the exam free of charge.

And that's not all- we always like to help our customers improve their knowledge of our great products, so we have put together a webcast to help you prepare for these exams. See it on our Solid Solutions TV website (link) presented by yours truly!

Adam Hartles

Training Manager

Searching for Configuration Names in EnterprisePDM

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:39:00 UTC

A call into the Helpdesk last week had me scratching my head until I noticed this nice little option added to the Complete Search Form in EPDM 2011.

The caller wanted to be able to search for files based on a known configuration name, they have a number of 'master' parts each with many configurations that relate to particular products in their catalogue. As "Configuration Name" isn't a standard Variable in Enterprise we can't use a typical 'edit' box linked to a Variable to search for them. Instead we use the 'History' Search combined with a new(ish) option that allows us to Search in Configuration / Sheet names.

If you installed your Enterprise originally at version 2011 or 2012 then you don't have to change anything, but if you created your Vault using an earlier version (or you want to add the functionality to a Custom Search Card) then you may need to open the Card Editor and load up the 'Complete Search' Card.

On the History Tab you can see a Combobox linked to 'History Text' - this is where you will type your Configuration Name. What you also need to enable is the 'Configuration Names' modifier.

Add a 'Check Box' and label as shown

Link this 'Check Box' to 'History Text - Configuration Names' and you are done.

If you are customising an existing Search Form then be sure to Copy / Paste both the ComboBox and the Checkbox Modifier to your own Search Card.

Hope you find this useful

Wayne Marshall

PDM Product Manager

SolidSolutions Management

Getting the most out of what you do

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:11:00 UTC

“Motivation is what you need to keep going to achieve short term goals. Inspiration changes your perception about what you want out of life. Work towards a goal simply because you believe it is the right thing to do.”

Craig Hudson

Applications Enginee r

Nonlinear Reaction Force Response Graph

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:12:00 UTC

I have just discovered a neat extra in Simulation 2012 that is not described in any of the 'What's New' literature - but could save you time.

In a nonlinear study there is often a need to report the Reaction Forces across all the time steps. For instance if you were to deform a rubber bushing by applying a prescribed displacement you might want to know how much force needs to be applied at each step - and preferably plot this on a graph. In 2011 this could not be done directly. You needed to use 'List Result Force', pick 'Update', write down the value and step through each time step. In 2012 this is dead easy - just pick the 'Response Graph' button and you get the forces plotted on a graph.

Andy Fulcher

Technical Manager

Solid Solutions Management Ltd

Here is a screenshot ...

Vote for New SolidWorks Functionality

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:25:00 UTC

Each release SolidWorks adds hundreds of new enhancements. Most of these (over 85%) are those requested by the customer base. In preparation for the SolidWorks World event next month in San Diego, ideas have been proposed to the SolidWorks developers and voting has now commenced. Have your say on what should be added to future releases by voting now (link).

Adam Hartles

Training Manager

Reduce your workload in one click

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:08:00 UTC

How symmetrical is your part? If you knew, then you could work on the smallest segment and mirror the body after you've made your changes for easy part modifications. Or for Simulation, you could work with that segment alone to speed up an analysis.

Let SolidWorks find out for you.

If you have SolidWorks Professional or Premium, go to the command search at the top right of the window and type 'Symmetry Check' (will filter as you type).

Then just choose the button below - this is your one click!

Oliver Duncan

Presales Manager

Solid Solutions Management

SolidWorks 2012 Training Schedules

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:33:00 UTC

We now have the SolidWorks 2012 training schedules online and available for bookings. We start teaching from the 2012 release straight after the Christmas break so book now to ensure you have your place during January which is a busy time for the training team.

Next year we are running more courses than ever to meet the growing demands of our customer base. To gain the full benefit of training enquire about our SolidWorks Training Passport- this gives you access to almost all of our course offerings over a 12 month period with huge price savings compared to the standard day rate. Contact your account manager or our main phone number for details.

Another exciting addition we are rolling out in line with the 2012 training program is the use of Qwizdom remote feedback systems. This will make courses more interactive and engaging for attendees to ensure you get the most out of each module. If you have any specific training enquiries or requirements contact us at training@solidsolutions.co.uk.

Adam Hartles

Training Manager