News Archives - Page 28 of 52 - SolidWorks Legion

Real Rewards program has ended

At the SolidWorks World 2008, there was an announcement of a program that would reward users for bringing in new customers. Though this program involved more than one facet, the spearhead effort appeared via their Real Rewards website. Real Rewards gave rewards to individuals who submitted the emails of their colleagues. These colleagues would then be given the opportunity to receive a free trail of SolidWorks. If SolidWorks was purchased as a result of the referral, the user would receive one of various rewards. The first tier was a box full of goodies. The second tier (for two successful referrals) was a sound system. The third tier was an all-in-one HP printer/copier/fax/scanner. I believe the fourth tier was a fancy monitor. For five successful referrals, the reward was a middle of the road computer.

Due to my previous articles, I submitted over 100 referrals (all of which were requested by commenting on my blog). Out of those, there was 2 actual sales. This is actually more than I expected. Though a modest success for me, the program was not so successful overall. According to Bill Taylor of SolidWorks Corp., the volume of participation was very low. Though SolidWorks did conduct market research with promising results before starting this program, they found that participation was no where near expectations.

So the program ended in mid-2009. Unfortunately, the Real Rewards website was not taken down until December 2009. This means that I was merrily submitting a few requests for trial copies that never received a response.

There are new offers available from SolidWorks Corp. There is an education trial version of SolidWorks which is available for students. Also, a recent discount program was selling SolidWorks Premium practically for half price. Check out the SolidWorks website for current offers.

James Cameron keynote speaker at SolidWorks World 2010

I don’t normally just republish press releases, but this news is so big, it’s hard for me to add anything to it, so here’s the press release in full:

‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Headlines SolidWorks World 2010

Visual Effects Pioneer Will Share Stories

of Overcoming Daunting Technical and Business Challenges

CONCORD, Mass., Dec. 21, 2009 – A machinist, a truck driver, and then a winner of 11 Oscars, Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron is now a featured special guest at SolidWorks World 2010, taking place Jan. 31 through Feb. 3 in Anaheim, Calif.

Cameron’s films, including Titanic, Aliens, and the Terminator franchise, have amassed over $3 billion in box office receipts. Not every tinseltown luminary could inspire an audience of 4,000-plus SolidWorks^® software users, but Cameron is an innovator’s innovator. As part of his Hollywood resume, he has invented a plethora of technology for exploring the depth of the seas and outer space, including Mars.

“James Cameron does magnificent things with technology and imagination. But in a way, he does exactly what every SolidWorks user does: confronts technical challenges, works out solutions, brings them to reality, and enjoys the success,” said Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. CEO. “We’re thrilled to have him at our event.”

Cameron’s films have blazed new trails in visual effects and set numerous performance records. Among Cameron’s inventions:

Filming, lighting, and robotic equipment for use in the extreme pressures of the deep;
A 3D digital camera system to enable shooting of 2D and 3D film versions in parallel; and
Mini fiber-spooling remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for deep sea use.

The making of Cameron’s new 3D feature film “Avatar,” a science fiction epic set in the virgin ecosystem of a distant planet, has required more than two years of new production technology development. Innovations include image-based facial performance capture, a real-time virtual camera for computer-generated production, and the SIMULCAM system, all of which help weave computer-generated characters into live-action scenes. These techniques are combined with stereoscopic photography to create a hybrid CG/live-action film.

…and much, much more

Cameron’s appearance will be one of many rich learning, networking, and entertainment opportunities at SolidWorks World 2010. Attendees will present more than 150 in-depth training sessions with an unprecedented number of popular hands-on sessions. More than 100 SolidWorks-designed products will be on display in more than 6,000 square feet of space within the Partner Pavilion exhibition hall. More than 100 partners will demonstrate technology products that complement SolidWorks software, and there will be dedicated time for birds-of-a-feather networking.

SolidWorks World provides a tremendous opportunity for users to network and share best practices. Nearly the entire DS SolidWorks R&D staff will be on site to talk to attendees, learn about their experiences, and demonstrate interesting projects. As always, the general sessions will stimulate and entertain. The sessions will include a sneak preview of SolidWorks 2011 software and presentations from DS SolidWorks CEO Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes President and CEO Bernard Charlès, and DS SolidWorks Co-Founder and Group Executive Jon Hirschtick.

There are numerous ways to follow SolidWorks World 2010:

SolidWorks Blog – SWW 2010 topics	http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/solidworks_world/
DS SolidWorks on Twitter	http://twitter.com/solidworks
SolidWorks World 2010 account on Twitter	http://twitter.com/solidworksworld
SolidWorks World 2010 hashtag (#SWW10)	http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23SWW10
DS SolidWorks on Flickr	http://www.flickr.com/photos/solidworks
SolidWorks World 2010 Flickr group	http://www.flickr.com/groups/sww10/
DS SolidWorks on YouTube	http://www.youtube.com/solidworks
SolidWorks World 2010 YouTube group	http://www.youtube.com/sww2010
SolidWorks World blogger & Twitter feed	http://www.solidworks.com/swworld/2589_ENU_HTML.htm

Also, Chris McAndrew of the 3D Engr blog will be SolidWorks’ first official Internet Correspondent. He tweets at http://twitter.com/Cbmcandrew and will be blogging about SolidWorks World 2010 on the main SolidWorks blog http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/.

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About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. subsidiary, is a world leader in 3D solutions. The company develops and markets software for design, analysis, product data management, documentation, and environmental impact assessment. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing software that helps them design better products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).

CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks, and 3D VIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2009 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Stump the Chumps submission form

See if you can stump the chumps with your SolidWorks questions at our session in SolidWorks World 2010:

Stump the Chumps question submission form

Also, if you have files to submit as part of your question, please email your question and files to stumpthechumps@gmail.com.

Stump the Chumps II (update)

There is a sizable group of suckers who volunteered to be your humble servants in the second Stump the Chumps session. At Stump the Chumps, you are given a chance to ask just about any SolidWorks questions you want. Preferably your questions will be about some issue you are currently addressing, which we can help solve.

The first Stump the Chumps session at SolidWorks World 2008 got bogged down with very complex model specific questions that were asked during the session. This time around at SolidWorks World 2010, we will not likely address those types of questions in session UNLESS you submit them via email to us prior to the session (with models or at least provide substantial detail). I would recommend submitting such questions by the end of the first week of January 2010.

That said, questions will be taken live at the session as well. But for best results, I highly recommend that your questions be submitted before hand. The more obscure your questions, the better for everyone! In the words of Jeff Mirisola, go ahead and make our day! Our goal is to fit as many answers as possible into the 90 minutes we’ve been allotted.

Please attempt to stump the chumps by emailing your SolidWorks questions to stumpthechumps@gmail.com.

Just so you know that we are real people, here’s the faces of your chumps:

UPDATE: We now have a submission website set up where questions can be asked and voted upon!

*Submit here*

MD&M’s BIOMEDevice show 2009

BIOMEDevice in San Jose, CA is a bit bigger and more populated that I suspected. It appears to get bigger and better each year. The booth displays are very snazzy too. The quality of booth backdrops was great, even compared to my memory of the big MD&M show in Anaheim.

Of note, Autodesk had a booth showing off their new version of the old Moldflow software. It still isn’t integrated into Inventor, though. Results of mold flow analysis can be exported as a .stl file for use with other 3D CAD softwares, and it does import Inventor and other files readily, at least according to the guy at their booth. That said, it doesn’t seem like there is a publicly discussed plan to increase integration beyond just improving how Moldflow Adviser talks to Inventor.

San Jose Convention Center is small. Its not likely to house any SolidWorks Worlds in its current state. Even the Santa Clara Convention Center (next to California’s Great America; and also next to the future home of the 49er’s) has much more convention space (even before SCCC’s expansion this year). ::hint hint to the SWW Committee::

I did walk away with far less swag than I expected at BIOMEDevice. There is this one over-designed pen from the Autodesk booth. Oh, J&J was giving out “Clean & Clear” facial cleanser. Kinda an odd choice, given the likely demographic of attendees.

Stump the Chumps II

After a one year hiatus, Stump the Chumps is returning to SolidWorks World in 2010. I’m pleased to announce that I’ve volunteered as one of the chumps this year.

In an effort to answer even more questions, the Stump the Chumps II breakout session will take on a slightly different format. Instead of spending the entire period fielding questions from the audience, questions should be submitted prior to the conference. If you would like to challenge the chumps with your question, please email us at stumpthechumps@gmail.com. More information about presenters and the breakout session can be found at Jeff’s Tool Shed.