New Section View Assist tool in SolidWorks used as example of teamwork

I was recently interviewed by Entertainment Engineering, an online magazine that covers technologies used in many types of entertainment devices and events such as movies, concerts, theme and amusement parks, electronic games, etc.  The November 2012 issue focuses on the value of individual contributors and also of teamwork in the design process.  Here’s the kicker, I’m quoted in the issue’s editorial article along side the great Steve Wozniak.  Kinda cool.

The article for which I was specifically interviewed is called Teamwork Improves Section-View Options in SolidWorks 2013, which leads-off a series of interviews with various individuals from all over the engineering discipline.  In my interview, I talk about the new SolidWorks section view functionality (now called Section View Assist) that has a whole new user interface that changes the way section views are created on drawings in CAD.  This includes how I originally developed the concept which was then improved and refined via teamwork within the SolidWorks organization.

Section View Assist replaces the need to first create sketches before being able to create a section view.  Instead, you can directly place cutting line on the original view and have the section view generated automatically.  If you want to use aligned section view, you can add offsets to the cutting line directly in the Section View Assist interface (without the need to draw lines or edit sketches).  Same goes to notch and single offsets.  The new user interface saves time and steps.  The improvement is nearly exponential.  The more complex your cutting line, the quicker you can create it versus old methods using sketches.

Submit your ideas for SolidWorks World 2013 Top Ten List

It’s that time of year again!  Time to submit your ideas on how to enhance SolidWorks for the SolidWorks World 2013 Top Ten list!  Please sign on the SolidWorks Forums website and goto SolidWorks World 2013 and the Top Ten List.    This is a list of enhancements you would like to see in future releases of SolidWorks.  It’s under the Ideas tab.  Starting on November 7th, the list is open for idea creation only.  To add an Idea for voting, click on the Create an Idea link in the upper right menu on the Ideas tab.

Starting December 5th the list will close to idea creation and will open up for voting. You are allowed to vote for as many ideas as you like. Voting will close on January 5th and the Top Ten List will be announced at SolidWorks World 2013!

This is an easy way to tell us how you use SolidWorks and how we can improve it to meet your needs. So please start thinking of what new functionality you would like to see, post your idea, and vote on it! We look forward to seeing you in Orlando!

SolidWorks 2013 Rollout in Lancaster, PA

What’s in Lancaster, PA in October? One of the largest SolidWorks new release rollouts in the U.S. At a quaint resort, a large auditorium is nearly filled with SolidWorks customers eagerly watching a half day of presentations about what’s new in SolidWorks in the newest version.  They covered a multitude of topics from the What New’s document to a clever parody of Mythbusters, called Featurebusters.

 

The was even a bit about how to use SolidWorks to improve your golf game.

The event was hosted by DesignPoint.  Even though Lancaster, PA seems to be a far-flung place (just try to get a direct flight, or even a reasonable 1-stop flight to there), the area has a lot of enthusiasm for engineering, and SolidWorks.

My adventures didn’t end with this event.

.

.

 Need I say more?

Sneak Peek SolidWorks 2013: Better Interference Detection

From the SolidWorks Blog:

…you can exclude selected components in Interference Detection. You can filter components with matching cosmetic threads from Interference Detection results and place them in a separate folder. You can exclude interferences involving hidden components, as well as…

Sneak Peek #SolidWorks 2013 : Insert Multiple Components in Assemblies

From theSolidWorks Blog:

Here’s another new feature for 2013. In the Insert Components PropertyManager, you can select multiple components at a time and then insert each one in succession without returning to the PropertyManager. Also, if you double-click