Product Review Archives - Page 7 of 12

Up in the clouds at SolidWorks World 2010

A new game has taken SolidWorks World 2010 by storm. Count how many times the word “cloud” (as in cloud computing) is spoken. At one point, it might seem that entire speeches consist entirely of the word “cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud.” There’s a message somewhere. Oh, that’s right. Cloud computing is the future of SolidWorks and the rest of the Dassault Systemes applications (maybe even for high security customers).

Cloud computing has many advantages over traditional installed software, according to Jeff Ray, CEO of SolidWorks. No matter how good SolidWorks is, it is still limited by the computer upon which it is installed. A significant investment is required to purchase computers that are powerful enough to get the most out of 3D CAD software. Also, installed software tends to be limited by computer operating systems. SolidWorks, in its current form, will not likely to be ported over to run natively on a MAC OS. Instead, SolidWorks will bypass these limitations with cloud computing. With cloud computing, “SolidWorks” (in whatever form it takes) may run on any platform. In fact, the user’s computer power will play very little roll. CAD files (even hugh assemblies) can be accessed instantly and edited on practically any platform, such as Microsoft, MAC OS, Google OS, Firefox, and iPhone. This is all accomplished without installing any software. They even discussed SolidWorks running seamlessly with ENOVIA V6, maybe even sometime this year.

According to Ray, the new cloud technologies will be rolled out as they are ready. The customer will choose when (if ever) to implement. These improvements represent a “completely new design environment”. Ray also stated that these new techologies where developed in secret and “run like a start up”. Technically, all this cloud talk represents nothing more than vaporware right now. However, if Dassault Systemes delivers, they may have a massive game changer on their hands.

Enterprise PDM for Word?

Ever wish Enterprise PDM specifically supported Microsoft Office products? Well, actually, EPDM already does support the files from Word, Excel, etc. So, of what value is an application that runs EPDM from within MS Office products? According to Extensible CAD:

Without Office2PDM, Enterprise PDM users who want to manage their Microsoft Office documents in their PDM vault must close their files and then operate on them in Windows explorer. This can be time consuming and requires extra steps. Office2PDM provides access to common Enterprise PDM functions as well as timely access to document status information, all without requiring you to open up a separate interface.

There’s really not much else for me to say without seeing a demonstration. I’ll follow up on this after SolidWorks World 2010.

Here’s some press images of Office2PDM:

Structure steel design in SolidWorks with AMV SteelWorks

AMV is a developer that publishes software solutions for structural engineering. They have joined the Bentley Developer Network for their AMV SteelWorks application. According to AMV, AMV SteelWorks was “conceived to streamline the workflow from general structural modelling, to detailing, fabrication, drawing and BOM.”

It appears the partnership of AMD SteelWorks 2010 with Bentley is aimed to move their application towards easier and smoother interaction between mechanical and sructural engineering, with full interoperability with STAAD, structural analysis and design software from the Bentley product line.

AMV predicts that training time for both Bentley and SolidWorks users will be short and competitive. Additionally, they claim designers will be able to create models, analysis and documentation in less time.

New 3D Printer under $5000!

Solido has announced that they will introduce a new commercial 3D printer that will sell for “considerably less than $5000″, at SolidWorks World 2010. If the announcement holds true, this has the potential to be a game changer in the industry.

Helping Solido to showcase their product are Scott Harris, co-founder of SolidWorks, and Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates. This will be at a press conference on Monday, February 1st (day 2 of SolidWorks World 2010).

Solido states that their goal for this product is to provide casual 3D printing of CAD models, just as one might print out a paper document. They claim that their product, called Solido SD300 Pro, will print models quietly, accurately and inexpensively right in the office with no toxic or messy materials.

They also claim that the SD300 Pro is suited for all stages of production with accuracy within .004”, including flexible living hinges. Printed parts could be drilled and finished, all without any outsourcing. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to check out their product and claims.

Direct CMM programming from SolidWorks

PAS Technology plans to exhibit a new application called PAS CMM for SolidWorks at SolidWorks World 2010. According toe PAS Technology, PAS CMM for SolidWorks enables the user to automatically create CMM programming directly from the SolidWorks Environment. It will take information “off line” from either the 3D Model or the drawing and convert it to CMM programming. The claim is that this add-on reduces task that used to take hours or days down to just minutes in three easy steps (reduction of “97% of CMM programming time”). Automation of CMM programming is definitely taking CAD in a new direction that leverages the 3D Model and drawing information to speed up even more tasks. Here are some press photos:

Solid Works Model converted automatically from Solid Works menu to CMM programming

Solid Works Drawing converted automatically from Solid Works menu to CMM programming

A complete CMM program from Solid Works Model, Drawing which both included GD&T

3D Connexion continues to develop SpacePilot PRO

An important feature for any electronic gadget is continued expansion of its capabilities (without having to buy a new replacement device). SpacePilot PRO is getting considerable support from 3DConnexion. The SpacePilot PRO, and the rest of the current 3DConnexion 3D mice line-up, now supports both SolidWorks 2010 and CATIA V6R2010.

According to 3DConnexion, their 3D mice now complement new SolidWorks 2010 functions such as Rapid Dimension Tool and Mouse Gestures. I’ve personally not had a chance to evaluate these improvements with my SpacePilot PRO (which was, as I stated in a previous article, given to me without any strings attached by 3DConnexion in April 2009).

For CATIA V6, 3DConnexion doesn’t seem to really add any new support for functionality, but rather it is simply fully compatible with it.

One additional note, there was a recent price reduction! SpacePilot PRO price was reduced from $499 to $399! Although this is still expensive for some, it does make the device more accessable for others.