SolidWorks Corp has a Facebook page. Become a fan to receive updates on SolidWorks related events, news and SolidWorks World. There are photos, videos, connections to other SolidWorks users. The page currently has almost 2000 fans as of today. It is updated about as frequently as their twitter account, with more information previewed. What? You didn’t know that SolidWorks has a twitter account? And that’s not all! Check out the SolidWorks social connections webpage for details on blogs, flickr, etc.
Move your head!
There is some press recently on Apple’s application for a patent covering a technology that moves a 3D model based on head movement or hand gesturing. A demonstrative video is included which shows an individual moving their head to peer around a model from different angles. This is pretty cool, expect for one minor detail. Are they really marketing this to CAD users? This is about as silly as voice command. Can you imagine this combined with voice command, with engineers weaving and bobbing about as they bark off orders “line!”, “extrude!”, “measure!”, “change my bed pan!”? I would start feeling like I’m playing one of those boxing games on PS3 or Wii.
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This is a great tool when applied to the right application. Gaming comes to mind (as noted above). Remote control of deep-sea robots may be another application. Sales gimmick, er, I mean sales display in a department store may yet be another. But CAD? Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be to have to move your head from right to left just to rotate a model during a design review, or with your CEO looking over your erratic shoulder?
You know where this would be useful in CAD? When we finally have the type of display that Ironman has (from the recent Ironman movie). By the time we have that sort of thing, I fear the patent on this technology would have expired.
I asked Houston Neal of Software Advice about how CAD users would use this application. I ask this because Apple is developing this application and we all know how Apple is about stuff they develop (it only runs on Macs).
Unfortunately CAD users would likely have to run Bootcamp, Parallels or some other application to run Windows on the Mac, thereby allowing them to run their CAD app.
iTunes did eventually run on PCs, but Apple may have lost early market share and revenue by limiting their iPods and iTunes to Mac in the initial release.
If Apple is serious about supporting the CAD industry on its platform, this new head-bobbing application is welcome, but not nearly enough. Further, use of this technology shouldn’t be limited to just Mac usage at any time.
Real Rewards program has ended
At the SolidWorks World 2008, there was an announcement of a program that would reward users for bringing in new customers. Though this program involved more than one facet, the spearhead effort appeared via their Real Rewards website. Real Rewards gave rewards to individuals who submitted the emails of their colleagues. These colleagues would then be given the opportunity to receive a free trail of SolidWorks. If SolidWorks was purchased as a result of the referral, the user would receive one of various rewards. The first tier was a box full of goodies. The second tier (for two successful referrals) was a sound system. The third tier was an all-in-one HP printer/copier/fax/scanner. I believe the fourth tier was a fancy monitor. For five successful referrals, the reward was a middle of the road computer.
Due to my previous articles, I submitted over 100 referrals (all of which were requested by commenting on my blog). Out of those, there was 2 actual sales. This is actually more than I expected. Though a modest success for me, the program was not so successful overall. According to Bill Taylor of SolidWorks Corp., the volume of participation was very low. Though SolidWorks did conduct market research with promising results before starting this program, they found that participation was no where near expectations.
So the program ended in mid-2009. Unfortunately, the Real Rewards website was not taken down until December 2009. This means that I was merrily submitting a few requests for trial copies that never received a response.
There are new offers available from SolidWorks Corp. There is an education trial version of SolidWorks which is available for students. Also, a recent discount program was selling SolidWorks Premium practically for half price. Check out the SolidWorks website for current offers.
We are SolidWorks
A real life demonstration of the capabilities shown in this video would be awesome!
James Cameron keynote speaker at SolidWorks World 2010
I don’t normally just republish press releases, but this news is so big, it’s hard for me to add anything to it, so here’s the press release in full:
‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Headlines SolidWorks World 2010
Visual Effects Pioneer Will Share Stories
of Overcoming Daunting Technical and Business Challenges
CONCORD, Mass., Dec. 21, 2009 – A machinist, a truck driver, and then a winner of 11 Oscars, Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron is now a featured special guest at SolidWorks World 2010, taking place Jan. 31 through Feb. 3 in Anaheim, Calif.
Cameron’s films, including Titanic, Aliens, and the Terminator franchise, have amassed over $3 billion in box office receipts. Not every tinseltown luminary could inspire an audience of 4,000-plus SolidWorks® software users, but Cameron is an innovator’s innovator. As part of his Hollywood resume, he has invented a plethora of technology for exploring the depth of the seas and outer space, including Mars.
“James Cameron does magnificent things with technology and imagination. But in a way, he does exactly what every SolidWorks user does: confronts technical challenges, works out solutions, brings them to reality, and enjoys the success,” said Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. CEO. “We’re thrilled to have him at our event.”
Cameron’s films have blazed new trails in visual effects and set numerous performance records. Among Cameron’s inventions:
- Filming, lighting, and robotic equipment for use in the extreme pressures of the deep;
- A 3D digital camera system to enable shooting of 2D and 3D film versions in parallel; and
- Mini fiber-spooling remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for deep sea use.
The making of Cameron’s new 3D feature film “Avatar,” a science fiction epic set in the virgin ecosystem of a distant planet, has required more than two years of new production technology development. Innovations include image-based facial performance capture, a real-time virtual camera for computer-generated production, and the SIMULCAM system, all of which help weave computer-generated characters into live-action scenes. These techniques are combined with stereoscopic photography to create a hybrid CG/live-action film.
…and much, much more
Cameron’s appearance will be one of many rich learning, networking, and entertainment opportunities at SolidWorks World 2010. Attendees will present more than 150 in-depth training sessions with an unprecedented number of popular hands-on sessions. More than 100 SolidWorks-designed products will be on display in more than 6,000 square feet of space within the Partner Pavilion exhibition hall. More than 100 partners will demonstrate technology products that complement SolidWorks software, and there will be dedicated time for birds-of-a-feather networking.
SolidWorks World provides a tremendous opportunity for users to network and share best practices. Nearly the entire DS SolidWorks R&D staff will be on site to talk to attendees, learn about their experiences, and demonstrate interesting projects. As always, the general sessions will stimulate and entertain. The sessions will include a sneak preview of SolidWorks 2011 software and presentations from DS SolidWorks CEO Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes President and CEO Bernard Charlès, and DS SolidWorks Co-Founder and Group Executive Jon Hirschtick.
There are numerous ways to follow SolidWorks World 2010:
| SolidWorks Blog – SWW 2010 topics | http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/solidworks_world/ |
| DS SolidWorks on Twitter | http://twitter.com/solidworks |
| SolidWorks World 2010 account on Twitter | http://twitter.com/solidworksworld |
| SolidWorks World 2010 hashtag
(#SWW10) |
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23SWW10 |
| DS SolidWorks on Flickr | http://www.flickr.com/photos/solidworks |
| SolidWorks World 2010 Flickr group | http://www.flickr.com/groups/sww10/ |
| DS SolidWorks on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/solidworks |
| SolidWorks World 2010 YouTube group | http://www.youtube.com/sww2010 |
| SolidWorks World blogger & Twitter feed | http://www.solidworks.com/swworld/2589_ENU_HTML.htm |
Also, Chris McAndrew of the 3D Engr blog will be SolidWorks’ first official Internet Correspondent. He tweets at http://twitter.com/Cbmcandrew and will be blogging about SolidWorks World 2010 on the main SolidWorks blog http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/.
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About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. subsidiary, is a world leader in 3D solutions. The company develops and markets software for design, analysis, product data management, documentation, and environmental impact assessment. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing software that helps them design better products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks, and 3D VIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2009 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
New SolidWorks World resource
There is a new SolidWorks World 2010 resource that which attendees may take advantage. It is the SolidWorks World 2010 mapyourshow.com website. It allows you to view the facilities, plan your booth visitations, search and contact exhibitors, and plan attendance for events. The only major drawback is that it doesn’t seem to link events with MS Outlook. However, the maps of the convention center are worth the price of admission to the website (free). 🙂