SolidWorks World 2014 is right around the corner

Register to attend

There’s still time to register to attend online.  On-site registration is also available.  Check out the video highlights from SolidWorks 2011, 2012 and 2013.

CAD Manager’s Boot Camp

Don’t forget you can also attend the CAD Manager’s Boot Camp to explore a wide range of topics and issues to help you effectively deploy and manage SolidWorks software to learn methodologies to reduce the total cost of ownership and maximize your investment in SolidWorks software. (Pre-registration required; first come, first served.)

SolidWorks World 2014 Top Ten Ideas

If you have a login account for the SolidWorks Forum, there is still time to have your say by voting for SolidWorks World 2014 Top Ten Ideas.  There is a record number of ideas to vote upon.  Login to the SolidWorks Forum and goto the Ideas tab of the SolidWorks World 2014 and the Top Ten area.  Results will be revealed at SolidWorks World.  You do not need to attend in order to vote!

Model Mania

Back for its 16th year, the SolidWorks Model Mania Contest, will give you a chance to display your talents. Model Mania pits user against user and reseller against reseller in a battle of wits to see who can model and analyze a part faster, more accurately and more efficiently. Winners receive prizes. Any attendee is welcome to enter!

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As a matter of a discloser reminder, the author of this article is a DS SolidWorks employee, though this article does not represent an official work of DS SolidWorks nor was it reviewed by DS SolidWorks. Please note the FTC 16 CRF Part 255 notice in the right menu of this website for further details.

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Senseless Sunday: A little dreamt out

    1. Only five words in the English language actually end with the letters “mt”: dreamt, daydreamt, undreamt, redreamt, and outdreamt.
    2. The invention of matches (rubbing a chemical dipped stick to create a flame with friction) came about in 1826.  The invention of the lighter (mechanical device to produce a flame) was first developed in the 1500’s.1
    3. As of 2008, the USA has more golf courses than the rest of the world combined.2

Reminder: SolidWorks World 2014 Top Ten is accepting Votes (what ideas do you want others to vote for?)

SolidWorks World 2014 Top Ten voting is open until January 15, 2014.  Get your votes in soon!  Time to promote the ideas you like so that they make it into the top ten list!

SolidWorks World 2014 Top Ten voting

To share which ideas you like the most, please post your personal top ten list in the Forum here: What ideas do you want others to vote for?

Preparing for the SolidWorks Certification exams (version 2)

This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series SOLIDWORKS Certification

Certificate on the shelfThere continues to be a lot of interest in getting certified as SolidWorks Expert (CSWE).  Through there are no official accolades that go long with passing the CSWE, the certificate can garner employer and industry recognition of your established skills.  Even as the number of Certified SolidWorks Professional grows (CSWP), the number of those with the higher CSWE certification is still small by comparison.  Right now, there’s just over 1500 CSWEs.  To earn your opportunity to take the CSWE exam, you have to pass the CSWP and also pass four advanced exam modules from a selection including topics like Weldments, Surfacing, FEA, etc.

Applian Way Technologies has a blog with several articles that are brief preparation guides for various exam modules. A Very Swell Idea, Inc has some good advice for taking the modules in their discussion of CSWP Weldment exam. 3D Dimensional Engineer also has a great series on CSWP Preparation.

SolidWorks website itself has great information for each exam, including the core, advanced and the expert exams.

  • CSWA – Certified SolidWorks Associate
  • CSWA – Acedemic – Certified SolidWorks Academic Associate
  • CSWP – Certified SolidWorks Professional
  • CEPA – Certified Enterprise PDM Administrator
  • CSDA – Certified Sustainable Design Associate
  • CSWSA-FEA – Certified SolidWorks Simulation Associate – Finite Element Analysis Advanced Exam
  • CSWSP-FEA – Certified SolidWorks Simulation Professional – Finite Element Analysis Advanced Exam
  • CSWP-Sheet Metal – Certified SolidWorks Professional – Sheet Metal Advanced Exam
  • CSWP-Weldments – Certified SolidWorks Professional – Weldments Advanced Exam
  • CSWP-Surfacing – Certified SolidWorks Professional – Surfacing Advanced Exam
  • CSWP-Mold Tools – Certified SolidWorks Professional – Mold Tools Advanced Exam
  • CSWP-DRWT – Certified SolidWorks Professional – Drawing Tools Advanced Exam
  • CSWE – Certified SolidWorks Expert

Once you’ve earned your certificate, you can exhibit it in a number of ways.  The certificate with a unique code is provided to you in the form of a PDF file, which can be printed out or shown on your mobile device.  You can use your unique code number to allow others to verify your acheivement.  Banner images are also provided so that you can add a certificate badge to your emails or website.  You can also add your certification information to your Linkedin account.  Don’t forget to notify your employer and colleagues.

Going to SolidWorks World 2014 and wanna know where to tell others?

Are you going to SolidWorks World 2014 and want to know where you can brag tell others about it?  Once long ago, Linkedin used to have a function that allowed you list events you attended.  No more.  However, Facebook still has such functionality.  So, although you cannot cleanly add SolidWorks World 2014 to your pseudo-resume on Linkedin, you can certainly add it to your social network on Facebook at the SolidWorks World 2014 event page.

SolidWorks World 2014 on Facebook

SolidWorks World Survival Guide has been updated

SolidWorks World is big.  Really big.  OK, not at big as ComicCon, but it is as big as they come in the 3D CAD industry.  Even still, it’s easy to get as much out of it as you possible can.  There are tons of sessions available for each day, plus many other opporutnities to get together with others at the conference to learn, network, and even have fun.

Did you know there’s a SolidWorks World Survival Guide?   It gives a brief overview how to get the most out of your experience at SolidWorks World.  The guide has been updated for SolidWorks World 2014.  Check it out.

The SolidWorks World Survival Guide