Here are still more photos from SolidWorks World 2011.
SolidWorks Live Buildings announcement
At SolidWorks World 2011, a new AEC product was announced. It’s called SolidWorks Live Buildings. It is a 3D conceptual design tool focused on integrated planning and early cost estimation for building design. SolidWorks hopes that this new tool will improve collaboration between architects, engineers and builders.
SolidWorks Live Buildings is based on the ENOVIA V6 online platform. The interface should look familiar to current V6 users. The product will enable any team member to access models from anywhere and anytime. According to SolidWorks,
There is no need to transfer large data files via email or FTP sites. Since everyone has access to the same model, there is no chance of working on the wrong version of a project.
The presentation of SolidWorks Live Building was impressive. Its easy of use was demonstrated on SolidWorks’ future headquarters. Stairs, walls, cubical clusters, doors, and stair tools were all added quickly. They also showed off a sundial feature which tracks the sun’s position and time of day (or night) to change shades and analyse lighting.
SolidWorks is planning general availability for the second half of 2011.
More photos from SolidWorks World 2011
Breakout Sessions at SolidWorks World 2011
Because of my concerted effort to keep my schedule under control, my experience at SolidWorks World 2011 was a little more sane. I was able to make more time for breakout sessions.
I enjoyed the informal format of Devon Sowell’s presentation, Demonstrating Workgroup PDM to Enterprise PDM Migration. In his session, he involved the audience in the discussion. Questions from the audience where frequently fielded, along with suggestions and ideas. The presentation talked about utilities that simplify the migration process, including one that is only available from a VAR.
Other sessions I attended include information on VB.NET programming, ASME Y14.5-2009, and other PDM topics.
I also encountered a couple of breakout sessions by individuals that did not seem as prepared as they should’ve been. There seems to always be some sessions like this each year at SolidWorks World, unfortunately. Of course, it’s not completely unavoidable. Sometimes things just don’t seem to work during the presentation, even if they did work flawlessly during practices.
Overall, I had a fruitful experience at this year’s SolidWorks World. I’ll talk a bit about my own presentation in a later article.
More about Bionic Builders
In a previous article, I mentioned stunt expert Casey Pieretti and engineer Bill Spracher on their show, Bionic Builders. In his presentation during the Tuesday General Session of SolidWorks World 2011, Pierretti declared, “I don’t want to be enabled; I want to be super-enabled.”
Later, at the press conference that followed the General Session, I asked Pierretti and Spracher if they thought about making everyone super-enabled. Pierretti said they thought about the broad range of possibilities but focused on prosthetics for amputees.
Additionally, Pierretti and Spracher are trying to make prosthetic limbs that are inexpensive as possible. Medical insurance wouldn’t even apply to the types of prosthetics they produce, nor would it need to if the cost is in the right price range. One thing that has helped reduce costs is the standardization of the pyramid fitting. The standard connection also makes marketing prosthetic limbs easier.
I’m glad to see this topic getting this type of attention. One thing I would like to see on Bionic Builders is something similar to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where they could dedicate one of the stories in each episode to help a new person who has a need for a special prosthetic. That would be great!
SolidWorks World 2011 in quick review
SolidWorks World 2011 offered attendees a unique experience. The Apollo 13 sub-theme to the General Sessions was a treat. The Monday General Session included a recounting of the Apollo 13 mission from an engineering perspective. Kevin Bacon’s appearance during the Wedsnesday General Session was an added bonus, as he talked about the vomit comet used in the making of the Apollo 13 movie (among other things). The cool customer profiles on Tuesday added a degree of depth as well. Although there was a thorough What’s New in SolidWorks 2012 presentation, it does not seem (at this point) that new features will be added to the next version. Instead, SolidWorks is getting some long requested user interface and performance improvements.
As a matter of full disclosure, for my attendance to SolidWorks World 2011, I was provided a Press Pass. Though the Press Pass as no direct monetary value, it does include access that is equivilent to the Full Conference Pass. Through various events, I received some additional value, usually in the form of meals. SolidWorks Corp did not cover or reimburse me for additional costs, such as travel expenses, but did pay for my hotel stay. I am under no obligation to write any material, nor present a particular point of view. The content of my articles is solely my own.