Workaround to edit Macros that are locked on network drive

Question:  I have macros on a network drive and need to edit them.  Unfortunately, someone has them locked (open).  How do I unlock them without going to that computer to manually unload the macros?

Answer: There is a live workaround.  While you cannot edit the files while locked, you can change their folder name! This allows for a sneaky little trick that doesn’t require going to the offending computer.

Simply rename the folder on the network drive where the macros are located. Then copy that folder (files and all) to the same drive. Rename the new folder to be the same name as before the original folder was renamed.

The macros in the old folder with the changed name will still be locked out, but the macros in the new folder with the original name will be free to edit!

In a day or so, the files in the old folder will be unlocked again.  Simply delete the old folder at that time.

Addendum: It should be noted that this method will not always work.  However, it is worth a try before taking any other action.

That Kindling in my Heart

I must confess.  Up until just very recently, I considered Amazon’s Kindle to be a bit of a joke.  Think about it. Who wants to get a device whose only purpose is to read books?!  Well, I may have been wrong about this little gadget.

This is a feature packed tool that looks to be a serious attempt at moving books into the electronic realm without strapping the reader in front of a computer screen.  That said, I’ll reserve further comment about this gadget until I’ve actually tried one  Of course, this is where the first problem arises.  It’s a $400 gadget.  So the decision to buy it may be delayed by my willingness to pay that kind of price for a book reader.  However, even at that price, I am now tempted.

Why am I talking about the Kindle on a SolidWorks related blog?  Well, I recently came up with the idea (jokingly) to put the SolidWorks manual on the Kindle device in a sarcastic comment criticizing SolidWorks’ lack of printed manuals.  However, after looking into the gadget, and reading Matt Lombard’s insightful insider comments regarding this matter, I’m changing my consideration.  I seriously think it is a good idea, at least in principle.

If I do get this device, I will post a review.

Survey on new Customer Portal for SolidWorks

In an effort for continuous improvement, SolidWorks is conducting two surveys regarding the Customer Portal, and unification of such areas as 3D ContentCenter, Knowledge Base, etc.

The survey is like 10 minutes long, so it goes by quick. 😉  There will be a second survey in a couple of weeks.

http://www.solidworks.com/swx050608_cust_commsurvey

(Originally posted by Richard Doyle here.)

ctopher’s SolidWorks Material Database

*New database is now available.  Links in this post have been updated.  See new post here.*

The new ctopher’s Material Database (offsite link) is here! The long anticipated update of my material database.

The new database version 041008 has been updated with more materials.

Because of conflicts with some of the materials between SolidWorks 2008 and older versions, we created two versions. One version is for 2007 and older and the other is for 2008 and newer. Both are included in the same file.

Also added is a text file with instructions.

Thank you to Matt and others for your help and contributions.

Chris (ctopher)

Download page: ctopher’s Material Database (onsite link)

Better Modeling using Pencil and Paper

I am finding more and more posts on engineering related forums as well as discussions with industry professionals that cannot believe that designers and engineers have little to no idea how to sketch using a pencil and paper.

Personally, sketching helps me reduce my modeling time anywhere from 20-50% while at the same time increasing the simplicity and accuracy of my model.  In my Advanced Modeling course at NTI I start off the course by asking the students to define advanced modeling.  Those who do not know me yet will answer with functions like Surfacing, Sweeps, Lofts, Sheet Metal, Weldment so on and so forth.

Then I pull out my soap box and tell the students that these are actually industry specific standard tools.  If you are working on sheet metal day in and day out then those are generally the core set of tools you use son on and so forth.  Same goes for Mold Tools.

The next part of my presentation talks about advanced modeling being about modeling using the most basic tools possible to accomplish a manufacturable component, assembly that 2 years down the road the next newbie can immediately open and make the necessary changes for the next design.  I talk about taking the time to model as best you can in a manner that will allow you to import you model dimensions to the drawing to save time in the detailing process.  Model so that your drafts, fillets, chamfers (dare I say it “extruded text”) are at the bottom of the feature manager tree so they can be easily suppressed.  Use the hole wizard to aid not only in assembly but also use you companies standard hole callout format.  Try to limit the parent child nightmare by relating back to datum planes, origin or you base feature.  These are tangible items in which i can immediately show the results and demonstrate the value.

Being able to sketch your part before modeling is proving to be more of a challenge.  I cannot tell you how much time I have saved throughout my career by sketching before I model.  It is a great way to spend those countless hours in drawn out design reviews (cat fights).

What value do I find in Sketching?  It allows me to envision how my model will be constructed (is this a cast to machined part? will this become a progressive die stamped part? how can I ensure my design intend in understandable?), add notes to features that may associate to other parts of the assembly (this hole is related to part B, the connection is a shaft the will be pressed into 2 bearing what was that fit again?  Oh yeah it is right here in my sketch), list our drafts, minimum radii, wall thickness, materials to select from, I can add all kinds of research to a sketch that will reduce my time at the computer and increase my productivity while I am at it.

This is proving to be a challenge to convey to students.  They want to work on the computer all the time.  I even talk about my time in Florida (the highest number of lightning strikes per inch capital of the world) and how there is often times you can not have a computer with you.  Or how about when one of your machines is on the brink of failure but we can only take it offline for a given amount of time to reverse engineering the no longer existing replacement parts needed to over haul the machine.

Anyone else in the Legion have some examples of how they use sketching to improve modeling productivity?  Any one out there think that sketching is the dumbest thing next to the pet rock.  Let me know.  My student will benefit from all views.

User Interfacing with SolidWorks (Make it faster, stronger, better)

Setting up one’s computer for using SolidWorks on a regular basis is a matter of personal preference in the extreme.  There is almost literally as many ways to set up a SolidWorks station as there are SolidWorks users.  SolidWorks provides many methods for user interface, including toolbars, peripherals, shortcuts keystrokes, menus, command manager and other assorted on-screen functions.  The most important element is the human in the real world using SolidWorks in the electronic realm.  The following is just some of my thoughts about things that can be done to make interfacing with SolidWorks easier.

Monitors

For me, I have found that two monitors works well.  I set up one monitor as my primary where I run SolidWorks and other high-end software.  I use the second monitor for reference and interfacing, to run such programs as Adobe Acrobat (PDF), PLM/ERP software, Internet, MS Office applications, commonly accesses desktop icons for these and other links of various type, etc.  I also place less frequently accessed SoildWorks toolbars on the second monitor.  Additionally, I place my SolidWorks command manager just on the edge of the second monitor where it is close enough for quick access, but removed from the main screen.  This opens up space for my model view pane.  It should be noted that I’m currently using SW 2007.  Moving the command manager is currently not possible on SW 2008, from what I understand.  I would like the ability to move the FeatureManager pane from the primary monitor as well.  I hope this is a feature that will be added in SW 2009 or 2010.  The goal for me is to have as much space as possible on my primary monitor dedicated to the view pane.

Also, I now recommend new widescreen flat LCD monitors of the 24″ variety or bigger.  The prices have fallen drastically, while the quality has improved radically.

Mouse

I have found that a lot of people are perfectly happy with very low movement settings on their mice.  This I cannot understand.  It amuses me that people will drag a mouse halfway across their desk surface just to have access to a corner of their Windows desktop.  They move their mouse 8″ just to click a toolbar icon, and them move their mouse another 8″ to get back to were they where.  This is a bad time waster.  It is also horrendous ergonomics, for which they will ultimately pay the price.

A mouse should be set to as sensitive a setting as needed to give the cursor arrow access to all portions of your monitor(s) within a very slight movement.  I have my mouse set so that I can access any point on my primary monitor within a 2″ diameter of movement using a medium threshold.  The threshold is the speed one moves their mouse to trigger faster movement of the cursor arrow.  More detailed local movement of the mouse should also be as sensitive as possible.

This allows the user to control their entire desktop with very little movement.  It increases speed of operation.  It is also more ergonomic, being better for a person’s long term arm, wrist and hand health.

Shortcuts

To reduce the need to move the mouse around even more, use a lot of single stroke shortcut keystrokes.  A lot of people may not like shortcuts for various reasons.  I believe one of the most common reasons is that they are too hard to remember.  However, they are worth remembering.  The time savings from using shortcuts verses moving the cursor arrow around is tremendous.  With the right sort of shortcuts set up, you can be working on one particular portion of your model and access several functions without having to move your cursor arrow back and forth from the toolbar back to your operating area.  You can be in a sketch, switching from line to dimension to circle to trim, all without having to move your cursor arrow off of the view pane.  This allows for much greater efficiency.

To make it easier to remember shortcut keystrokes, only add one or two at a time.  When familar with those, as a couple more based on what you use the most.  This allows you to learn/remember a couple at a time instead of a bunch all at once.

Of course, programming functions into the mouse itself will save even further movement of both your hands.  This usually requires setting up shortcut keystrokes in SolidWorks that are then mapped to the peripheral.  In this case, use very complex shortcuts such as CTRL-SHFT-F1.  It doesn’t matter how complex because it’s still just a push of a button on your peripheral.  Save the single stroke shortcut keys for other functions.

Strategy for Good Interfacing

A way of looking at interfacing with CAD software (particularly SolidWorks) is to think of functions in terms of how often you use them.  The more often one uses a function, the easier and quicker that function should be accessible.  One methodology is to work in the following way.  The top 5% of functions used should be accessible with very little movement.  If possible, they should be mapped to buttons on your mouse or other peripheral.  The next 15% of functions should mapped to single stroke shortcut keystrokes.  The next 25% of functions should be accessed through actual clicking of on-screen icons.  Any remainder functions should be accessible through the pulldown menu scheme.

Also, if you find yourself using a series of functions routinely, then create a macro that accomplishes those tasks.  Map that macro to a single or multistroke shortcut.  Always be mindful of repetitive tasks and the ways they can be simplified to save time and improve ergonomics.

Knowing how to implement this strategy doesn’t come over night.  It comes from working with SolidWorks over time.  As you work with the software and pay attention to your own actions, you will become aware of what can be done to improve your efficiency.  For me, if I repeat the same action over and over, I work to reduce the number of the steps it takes to perform that action until I get it to a point where it doesn’t bother me anymore.  Use whatever means necessary to this end.