Enhancements planned for SolidWorks 2011

There were a lot of new SolidWorks 2011 functionalities that were demonstrated in today’s general session.  There’s a long list of improvements.  SolidWorks presented most of these improvements as part of an on-stage skit, so it was difficult to keep track of all the discussed changes.  However, this is my best attempt to give a nearly complete list:

Parts

• Revolve will be extrudable “up to surface”
• Defeature feature allows for the removal of internal features of a part to protect IP.
• Real View is “fully customizable”
• Display Manage that controls settings such as color, transparency, etc.
• Photoview 360 now has a preview menu within SolidWorks Works
• Animation can be pre-rendered
• Further improvements have been made to memory usage and optimization
• Within Non-linear simulation, planar simulation allows the user to run simulation on a 2D slice of a part to save time; also, that 2D slice can be projected back to the 3D part.
• Feature lock!

 Drawings

• Dimensions spaced evenly and in the right view (on new views, or to correct existing views)
• Thumb wheel to change spacing of dimensions
• Dual dimensions allowed in hole table
• Weld tables now available in drawings
• Weld callouts can be automatically added to a drawing

Assemblies

• Chamfers and fillets can be used for weld prep
• Cut sweep allowed
• Weld gaps with actual geometry
• Walk thru function, just like video games
• Multiple piping enhancements

Author: fcsuper

As a drafter, mechanical designer and CAD engineer, I've been in the mechanical design field since 1991. For the first 8 years of my career, I was an AutoCAD professional. I utilized AutoLISP and many other AutoCAD customization features to streamline drafting activities for 6+ drafters and designers. I authored several custom functions, one of which was published in the March 1997 issue of Cadalyst Magazine. Since 1998, I've been used SolidWorks non-stop. I've worked to utilize the SolidWorks' user environment to simplify drafting and design activities for 20+ engineers. I've created this website to provide current information about SolidWorks from a variety of contributors. More recently, I am now employed by Dassault Systemes as SOLIDWORKS Sr. Product Definition Manager to improve drawing, annotation and MBD related areas. View all posts by fcsuper