Some say the world will end in 2012. There are a lot of books being rushed to market right now that make some amazing claims about what’s going to happen just 22 months from now (Dec 21, 2012). SolidWorks Corp seems gleefully oblivious to all of this hoopla, as they have put a lot of effort to bring new capabilities to SolidWorks 2012. Here are some highlights.
There’s a few generic user interface capabilities to be added:
- A pushpin function will be added to allow users to put choice drawings, models or assemblies in a quick access flyout menu.
- Users can now switch between units of measure via a selection tool added to the status bar.
- A new command filter search will be added to allow users to search for SolidWorks commands on-the-fly (has opposed to stumbling around the Help file).
- Selecting an item in the graphics view will highlight it and zoom to it within the feature tree (finally!).
Sheet metal will see several improvements:
- Users will be able to choose faces to ignore in flat patterns.
- Swept flange feature will be available. They will be flattenable.
- Tangent Flange position function.
- Users will be able to set flanges parallel to a sketch.
Big news about equations:
- Improved equation editor, with solve order and sort.
- Global variables are now editable via the equation editor window.
- Auto-rebuild for immediate implementation of changes.
On drawings:
- BOMs will be insertable without having a pre-selected view.
- Exploded views will be an option in the View Pallet.
- Balloon order sequencing will be available, with the ability to number around a view from any start location.
- Magnet Lines!!! (someone at SolidWorks Corp. was listening)
- Unused View Label letters will be automatically reused.
- Ability to add center marks to entire view.
Assembly will have a new Design Review mode that allows users to open and explore large assemblies without all the overhead lag. This function will include the ability to conduct walk-throughs.
In an apparent extension of functionality added with SustainabilityXpress, SolidWorks 2012 will give users the ability to conduct manufacturer part costing.
New motion sensors will be added for actuator forces, baring loads and travel limits.
And now, the much hyped changes to be made in SolidWorks 2012:
- Feature Freeze (they are going to try implement it again).
- Complete Uninstall, with new options that allows for more control. Also, uninstall function will be available from Admin Image.
- Files will be cleared from memory when they are closed.
- Dual monitor support will allow SolidWorks to span across two displays in a logical manner.
I was suprised at SWW this year with the 2012 preview, the things I look forward to the most are simple interface and system features that seem like we should have had 5-6 years ago. Even though I have templates for almost every setup I ever use, being able to switch units from the status bar is going to be convenient. Several of the actual improvements look like they will be great to use, but we’ll see how they work when we get the beta to play with.