Rolling it out.

We have been doing the rollouts for SolidWorks 2010. There are some great new features.

I will post a series of nice enhancements for this coming version.

Rolling it out.

Check your Graphics Card!

Because SolidWorks relies heavily on a solid graphics card to produce all those great looking visuals of your 3D part, you can crash often if your card is not running at it's best. The best thing to check for your card is to install the recommended driver.

Go to http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html

Then type in the Card that you have in your machine. If you don't know....

In Windows - Start Menu - Programs - Accessories - System information

Once you find your card and find it in SolidWorks it will tell you if it is a recommended card or not.

Now download the driver it recommends.

Smart Mates

To use an automate mode hold the alt key and drag one component near another.



See video for example.

Copying a component in assembly

To quickly copy a component in the assembly hold control and drag the part and a copy will be made.

You can rotate just one component

Rotating only one component in an assembly is possible by choosing the rotate component command on the assembly toolbar or holding your right mouse button down on the component and moving it.

Deleting External References

Dealing with External References

When creating a component within an assembly it can become quite tricky. This is refered to what is called top down modeling and we devote a good deal of time to it in our advance training course.

It can be very useful but dangerous when you dont know what you are doing.

I will post a video that explains how to remove these external references once you have added them.

Simulation Tips- Quick and Painless

Simply double clicking on your Color Plot will get you into chart options.

Also, double clicking on the deformation scale will get you into edit definition to make changes.

Getting the mate in place -

Do you ever need to get your assembly positioned correctly but dont want to keep the mate. If you keep the mate it might lock the assembly down which can be undesirable.

Use the option in the mate dialog, "use for position only". It will put in place but not save the mate.

Need a break...?

I was turned onto this website called "people of Walmart." I have laughed myself right out of my chair and into oblivion. It is definitely PG-13 or worse so please be advised but some of the captions are excellent.

Google people of Walmart to find the site.

Print the list of shortcuts

If you like having a printed sheet with all the shortcuts it easy to do.

Tools - Customize - Keyboard

You can also assign new ones and change existing as needed.

Alt + Tab - Windows Trick

Do you keep a couple applications open. Do you need jump from a pdf with dimensions back into SolidWorks?

Do you need to jump from Solitaire to SolidWorks?

ALT + TAB makes life easier.

Welcome Back-

Well, I have taken some time off in the recent weeks not only from work but also from posting. I am back and since school is starting, I figure it is a great time to get back to posting everyday. It was terrific summer full of biking and getting outside.

If you have a second be sure to check out the archive of posts for any tips that are already there and might be helpful in your daily work.

If you would like to discuss any topics or ask questions, shoot me an email at :
tbeck@goengineer.com

Showing some more shortcuts

Mouse traps

I have been asked what type of mouse do i like to use. Some users love the power mouse and the space pilot(an addtional 3D input device - http://www.3dconnexion.com/3dmouse/spacepilot.php ) - i talk more about that later. I have to travel often with my laptop so i try to keep it simple. I use and love the basic optical mouse from Microsoft.




On the left button I like to program the left button for the "S" key and the right I program for "enter". This enables me to do 90% of my sketching with my right hand.

Adding a dynamic note

New Tips Starting August

Sorry for taking a break from posting.

I have been traveling like a crazy person. I will have some new tips for August.

How to create an Automatic Meter!

Lets say you would like to have a measurement like weight or length on your part update as you go but continue to let you know. This can be done with a sensor or a note. Lets look at the note method.

First.

Lets add material to our part and find the mass.

-Right click on Material in the Design Tree and choose Edit Material.

Now Find Tools- Mass Properties to find the mass.

Tomorrow we will discuss how to add the note.

Quick Measure

Most people know about the measure tool, this is a great tool but for quick distance measurements nothing beats the selection method. Simply Click to different edges or faces and in the bottom right corner you will find the distances!