One thing I forget to mention about eDrawings for Android in yesterday’s article is how wonder something simple like an actual standard Back button is with this (and any) app! In eDrawings for Android when you have a document open, your device’s Back button takes you out of that document back to the list of documents loaded onto your device. Of course, there is a hidden UI back button too if you have a document open: the eDrawings logo in the upper left corner.
eDrawings for Android ( #edrawings #edrawingsforandriod )
Overview
This initial release of eDrawings for Andriod represents the first time that you can inexpensively open and view native SolidWorks files on an Andriod device. Not just on tablets, but pretty much any device with 4.0 or higher Andriod OS. I have eDrawings running on my ancient Galaxy S2 smartphone. All images in this article are direct screenshoots of eDrawings from my phone.
As with other mobile version releases of eDrawings, this app provides familiar functionality. You can now access and use 3D CAD models and 2D drawings anywhere you can take your Android device! This provides a great tool to communicate 3D data with co-workers on the road, or quickly reference a drawing without lugging around a laptop (or printouts). This app can be used all the way up and down a supply chain from vendors to end-customers.
User Experience
Once you launch the app, a list of currently available models and drawings is shown, with thumbnail previews. You can select from the standard selection of Samples or from the files you’ve uploaded to your device. As with other mobile releases of eDrawings, the sample files provide greate examples to try out eDrawings functionality.
When you open a supported 3D model, you can rotate, pan, zoom in and out, zoom fit (double-tap), and zoom home. Also, the play button will take on a tour through the standard views of the model.
Usability and Performance
eDrawings for Android is very intuitive for amyone familiar with multitouch screens. One finger drag rotates the model. Two fingers initiate a pan. Pinching two fingers is zoom in and out. Switching between configurations and sheets is fast using the dropdown menu.
Loading files onto an Android device is even easier than with iOS devices. You can simply connect your Android device with your computer using a standard USB cable and then copy the files over to the eDrawings folder on your device using Windows explorer (for PCs).
Assemblies
For assemblies, you can highlight an individual component with the options to immediately set to hide, make transparent, isolate and show all.
Of course, configurations are supported for eDrawings files, allowing you switch between them with a drop down menu. And then, what would eDrawings be without the ability to explode assemblies? I think there is actually some entertainment value to watching assemblies explode out to their individual parts.
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Disclaimer – Though this article was not reviewed by SolidWorks, nor its parent company Dassault Systemes nor any other entity, the author of this article is an employee of Dassault Systemes and is internally familiar with eDrawings. As such, this article should not be understood as being from an uninvolved and neutral third party.
Keep Shooting Bugs – SolidWorks 2014 Beta Week 2
SolidWorks 2014 Beta testing is in full swing with SolidWorks users and VAR employees from all over the world are enjoying shooting the Beta bugs.
Not only that, they are also competing with each other in various SolidWorks 2014 Beta Contests.
So how about you? Have you join in the force for the Beta testing or still need some good reasons for Beta Testing? Here are some of my reasons for being a part of Beta testing Force:
See New Features/Options: Get information of what new features are coming up.
Test New Features/Options: And not only the information but you’ve a real chance to test the New Features/Options before the software is released. And you can see how the New Features/Options will affect your productivity.
Learn Something New: The New Features/Options give you an opportunity to learn new things and be ahead of other users. You can be a pro in your team when your company upgrades to new version.
It’s like playing an online game with competing to other beta testers.
And the most favorite one; Win Prizes. There are a lot of prizes to be won by participating in various contest. Isn’t that cool.
So what else you need!! Go and shoot some bugs today..
P.S. Your SolidWorks Subscription Service status must be valid and active in order to participate in Beta Programs. Also during the beta testing you’re under an NDA. Do read “OFFICIAL RULES FOR SOLIDWORKS 2014 BETA CONTESTS”
Change Note 2
Author: Deepak Gupta
Source: Boxer’s SolidWorks Blog
Macro to change a selected Note in the active document.
Precondition: Any active document is open and a note is selected.
Postcondition: Selected Note is changed as per user input.
New in SolidWorks 2013 – Enhanced Section View Interface – Adding offsets
What’s New in SolidWorks 2013: Section View Assist Part 2 – Shortcutting cutting line creation
Section View Assist automatically comes up when you start the Section View tool without preselecting a sketch. Section View Assist allows you to create very complex section views very quickly. It also allows you to make the simplist section views faster than before, without the need to draw sketches on your drawing view. Included in the new tool is the ability to shortcut the creation of simple section views even more!
If you do not use more complex section view cutting lines very often, you can by-pass the Section View Pop-up by checking the “Auto-start section view” setting. This will allow you to place the cutting line and then immediately place your section view. The setting is sticky, so you wouldn’t need to choose it again. If many cases, you can create your section views with just two quick mouse clicks.
