Inch or Metric?

A recent discussion on eng-tips.com has prompted some interesting replies.  The discussion revolves around one individual asking for advice to help in the battle to promote metric at his company, despite push-back from their machine shop, and a lack of concern about the issue from higher-ups who have taken a pragmatic cost related approach. I believe that the responses received may have surprized this individual.

There are some who point out that the cost of switching to metric must be justified and explained to management.  The problem here is that there IS a cost associated with switching from a shop based on inch tooling to a shop based on metric tooling.  Is there savings associated with the switch?  The benefits of switching units of measure are likely limited, unless they are dealing with much more complex issues.  Once a company has a system in place, it is generally not economical to switch it midstream.

Several made the point that if the company is already standardized to inch, then any individuals at that company should adjust their methods accordingly.  This is the same if a person accustomed to inch joins a company that has standardized to metric.

What I personally questioned was the rather strange idea that metric is somehow some sort of default when it comes to making the choice.   The universe doesn’t know the difference between an inch and a millimeter.  For us in the engineering field, it is easier to think in metric than in inch, but what are the real world advantages of one system or another?  Unit of measure is completely arbitrary.  One person who responded to the posting even pointed out the advantages of using hardware from both systems at the same time.

“But the rest of the world is using metric!”  Umm, really? That, by itself, is an arbitrary point.

A counter arbitrary point, the United States of America has the largest economy on the planet by almost 2-fold.  It doesn’t really matter what rest of world does because the U.S. is so big. It’s like saying that the 800lb gorilla in the room should wear jeans just because all the chimps in the room are wearing them.  Maybe the gorilla is happy with his corduroys instead.

To this, there was a response about how the world combined outweighed the U.S. economy, and that the US is not 100% inch.  My point at that time was simple, “…Americans might be surprized by the number of countries that ARE NOT 100% metric, many of which are in Europe. ”

I was surprized by the responses that comment provoked.  There is apparently much less standardization going on around that planet that we’ve been lead to believe by hardcore metric proponents here in the U.S.  I know about the imperial gallon, the pint, and oddities like the metric ton.  However, I didn’t expect responses from the international community stating that there are significant fields and regions where standardization is in the old traditional imperial system and not metric.

The more I explore this topic, the more I’m convinced that it really just doesn’t matter.  Once a choice for a company is made, then they should stick to it.  I’m also learning that some strong proponents of metric here in the U.S. have a tendency to assume metric has greater adoption than what is true in reality.

New type of SaveAsPDF macro

SolidWorks is able to save drawings and current model views as a PDF format file.  SaveAsPDF with Folder SelectionThere’s been a lot of macros written over the years that cut the process of saving as PDF down to as few steps as possible. One of the long standing requests for this type of macro (and many similar types of macros) is to allow the user to pick the save location. Just uploaded is a macro (SaveAsPDF with Folder Selection) that does just this, and simplifies the location selection process for default folders. This new macro also uses more modern API techniques to save the file (using modelext::saveas instead of model::saveas4).

This macro does many things that previous macros haven’t.  While allowing the user to establish a default save location folder, it also provides automatic alternative choices when the default is not available.  Yet, even with all of these, the user can still override automated selection and pick a new location.  It does all of this without the use of VB6 forms.

As with other macros that do similar tasks, this will work best when assigned to a keyboard shortcut or a toolbar icon.   Also, as with all SolidWorks macros, there is a chance it will not work “out-of-the-box”.  This is normally due to the fact that SolidWorks updates core reference libraries with each release.  If errors are encountered, simply re-reference to the libraries that are available to allow the macro to function.  More information about that is available in this previous article.

3D Mice, who uses them?

[memedex:pollid#489615] So, I really don’t know when to stop beating a dead horse.  I’m going to talk about 3D mice again.  However, this time, I’ve created a poll to see how many people are even using them with their 3D CAD application.  The reason for this is two-fold.  First, I’m experimenting with the use of polls here at SolidWorks Legion.  Second, I’m curious to see the kind of response this poll will get.  (Note to fellow bloggers, if you have recommendations for WordPress polling plug-ins, please let me know.  For now, I’m using memedex.)

[memedex:pollid#489616] Anyway, back to the topic at hand.  This poll is open to anyone that uses 3D CAD software.  It is not limited to SolidWorks users.  Please respond to this poll.  Also, post any comments you might have about 3d mice or any other peripherals you use frequently.

Also, I have a second poll for those of us who have a 3D Connexion 3D mouse regarding how we obtained said 3D mouse.  For this poll, I’m interested in see the ratio of people who’ve purchased one (for themself or via their company) versus those who have received one through various other means.  Have fun with the polls!

SpacePilot PRO (overreaching? a short Part II)

I recently wrote a review questioning the fact that the SpacePilot PRO is a control device with an LCD screen.  As noted by my fellow blogger Jeff Mirisola of Jeff’s Tool Shed, 3D Connexion recently updated their drivers and software for the SpacePilot PRO.  This update fixed a few bugs in the software related to the saving of settings.  It should be noted that the problem I had with saving settings does not seem to be the same as others, and was minor by comparison.  The problem I found was with my programmable key maps being saved.  This issue was not fixed with the recent upgrade, but I’m not concerned because the workaround is already built-in.  The possible cause of all this is the strange fact that there are more than one program used to control the key mappings. Since I know which program to use to save my key maps, I’m not terribly concerned with it not working in their second program.  The second program doesn’t allow for as many functions to be assigned to the buttons too, which I find odd.

OK, back to the point.  As said, I criticized the existence of an LCD screen on the SpacePilot PRO.  I wondered why the device had one.  It didn’t seem to be of much use.  Well, with the recent update of the 3DConnexion drivers, I take this back.  The LCD screen is now very useful to display key mapping in a very clear and much better organized method.  Now obvious is the function programmed for a particular button.  With this, I’m now able to get use out of the LCD screen, and I am more comfortable with the use of the programmable buttons too.  It really expands the device’s user-friendliness.  So, the only question left (besides making the secondary key mapping program work 100% as expected) is whether this device is worth the $500 price tag.  The price does seem to be pushing the upper limit of what one might expect to pay for a control device, particularly one that doesn’t replace any other control devices (you’ll still need a mouse).

OK, I think I beat this dead horse long enough.  I’ll just close with saying, if you have the need for a 3D mouse, then this is certainly the king of them all!

SpacePilot PRO (overreaching?)

There’s a Simpsons‘ episode where Homer discovers he has a successful half-brother named Herb Powell.  Herb runs a car company.  Herb is convinced that Homer represents the average American and is therefore the perfect person to design a new car for his company.  Herb introduces Homer to his company’s design team.  The design team ignore Home and instead use their experience to design perfect vehicle.

Homer is at first intimidated by the design team, but Herb feels that Homer is not being forceful enough with his ideas.  Herb invigorates Homer.  Homer then rejects the designers’ ideas and instead implements strange ideas like dual bubble domes, fins and several horns that play “La Cucaracha”.  At the unveiling of new car, dubbed “The Homer”, Herb is horrified to discover that the car is a monstrosity that costs $82,000.  Herb’s company goes under and he becomes broke.

What’s the lesson here?  Have a focus when designing the next hot gadget.  The design of the 3DConnexion SpacePilot PRO isn’t like “The Homer” in that it is sleek and functional.  However, there does not seem to be a strong focus for the device.  Is it a 3D mouse, or an Outlook companion, or a keyboard replacement, or an RSS feed reader?  Right now, it is all of these things.

First, why does a control device have an LCD screen?  If there was a need for me to see a status of something, then I can see why some sort of visual feedback would be necessary.  There isn’t much of a need for that with this device, however.  (Please see P.P.P.S below for notice of an update to this criticism.)

Second, on that LCD, I’m given the ability to open Outlook email, appointments and tasks.  Given the fact that I have two monitors, this functionality is not needed for me.  I keep Outlook open and in view on my second monitor all day anyway.

Third, why does this device give me RSS feeds?  In my mind, the goal of a control device should be to not require the user to look at it while it is being used.  That LCD screen bags to be looked at.  Sometimes I feel bad that I’m not using it.

My criticism of the LCD is based solely on the fact that I have two monitors.  For someone with a single monitor, I can see why this functionality would be useful and a real time saver.

I think that a future device that 3DConnexion should develop is a more compact version of the SpacePilot PRO without an LCD screen.  Then bring in all the buttons closer to the control knob and place them under the most likely locations where one’s fingers will naturally land.  Make sure all of the buttons are multi-function programmable (just like the SpacePilot PRO).

My bottom line, this device is worth the $499 price tag if there happens to be a need for an LCD screen with the ability to launch Outlook tools and read RSS feeds.  I’m sure this device will save someone time and money (such as users with only one monitor).  However, if I were to spend my own money, I would want a simpler device that is geared towards controlling my views within the model and shortcuting tasking within the 3D CAD environment.  The SpacePilot PRO is a strong step in that direction, but it overreaches in other areas where there doesn’t seem to be much of a need (at least for me).  When I am in the market to buy another 3D mouse, I would be interested in the hypothetical SpaceExplorer PRO with a more compact design, more multi-function programmable buttons, and better placement for the buttons.  My price range would be in the area of $300, though 3DConnexion might hafta bring the price down to $199 (twice the price of high-end standard mice) to help sales take off.

I don’t represent the average American, nor do I feel I am the average 3D CAD user.  I like my SpacePilot PRO, and will likely continue to use it.  However, I can see where this might be a case of less is more.  I’ve looked at the current generation of the SpaceExplorer and I actually think that it would be more ideal for one’s home office.

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P.S., why hasn’t the 3DConnexion control knob not been turned into a gaming controller yet?  This seems like an obvious application for 3D mice.  Speaking of other applications, this might not be a bad idea as a control mechanism for a navigation and center console control system in a car.

P.P.S., this device works awesomely in the main mode of Google Earth (though it would be nice for it to work in all modes withing Google Earth).  They should really make a driver for Celestia.

P.P.P.S., I originally wrote this article before the recent update to the drivers for the SpacePilot PRO.  With the recent update, my opinion about the LCD has changed a little bit.  I’ll address this in a future article.