SolidWorks:HEARD!

3DVIA Composer 2013:

This podcast covers the release notes of the newest build of 3DVIA Composer V6R2013 that shipped this past week.  Topics covered:

- Overview of the 2013 Release Notes

- New Image Workshop

- New "Align Magnetic Line" feature

- Updates to Rights Manager

- New Default Document options

- New Advanced Application Settings

3DVIA Composer has been releasing on a ~6month schedule, twice as much as the SolidWorks product line. Although these releases are more frequent, the tally of new features doesn't even compare to the 200+ enhancements from SolidWorks, which is not a bad thing.  The Dassault Systems composer team seems to be of the "iterate and ship" mentality, getting updates to users fast.

The last release of 3DVC was V6R2012X, which had a lot of focus on cameras, animations and rendering, 2013 seems to focus on productivity and application settings.  I'm sure as the user base grows they are beginning to get a lot of feedback on shortcomings and workflow.  They even added 8 more methods to the API, which as you know, any love to programmers is welcome here!

The download is approximately 512MB and the CATIA importer seems to eat up the bulk of the installation time but it appears it has a baked in 30 day trial period, which I don't remember seeing in the past.  It also cannot be launched in a remote desktop session, which drives me insane!

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SWH Episode 289

3DVIA Composer 2011x:

SWH Episode 328

2011 What's New - Assemblies, CircuitWorks, Configs & Design Checker:

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks. Topics covered:

Assemblies:

- Assembly Features & Visualization 

- Defeature for Assemblies

- Equations

- Interference Detection

- Mates

- Rebuild Report

- SpeedPak

CircuitWorks:

- User-defined Coordinates for Component Orientation

- Interface & Workflow Improvements

- Comparing Boards

- Export to PADS PowerPCB Format

Configurations:

- Configuration Publisher

- Modify Configurations

- Parameters

- SpeedPak

Design Checker:

- Building checks from SolidWorks Files

- File location, dimension precision, feature positioning & standard template checks

- Design Checker Report

- Summary report for Task Scheduler

- Design Checker Task in Enterprise PDM

This covers chapters 5-8 of the What's New PDF which outlines changes/enhancements to the SolidWorks product line since the previous release.  If you have not done so, please download this PDF and walk through the areas that are most important to you.

The goal of this series is to provide a portable, audio version of the 2011 What's New so users can have a quick way to evaluate the features that have been changed/added/removed in SolidWorks' product line.  We all fall victim to the "ruts" of using SolidWorks and knowing what's to come brings awareness early.

I will be releasing an additional show a week as well as the usual monthly Tech News shows (up to 3 a week) in order to cover the entire What's New PDF in September before FCS (First Customer Ship). Between the podcast, blog and other posts around the web, there will be no shortage of SolidWorks 2011 content to come! ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD!

SWH Episode 292

2011 What's New - UI, Fundamentals, 3DCC & Administration:

This podcast is an audio version of the What's New PDF included with every major release of SolidWorks. Topics covered:

User Interface:

- SolidWorks Search

- PropertyManager Icons

- Error Reporting

SolidWorks Fundamentals:

- API

- Pack and Go

- Documentation

3D ContentCentral:

- Defeature Tool

- Configuration Publisher

- 3D ContentCentral for Suppliers

Administration:

- Converting Files to SolidWorks 2011

- Installation Improvements

- SolidWorks Rx

This covers the first 4 chapters of the What's New PDF which outlines changes/enhancements to the SolidWorks product line since the previous release.  If you have not done so, please download this PDF and walk through the areas that are most important to you.

The goal of this series is to provide a portable, audio version of the 2011 What's New so users can have a quick way to evaluate the features that have been changed/added/removed in SolidWorks' product line.  We all fall victim to the "ruts" of using SolidWorks and knowing what's to come brings awareness early.

I will be releasing an additional show a week as well as the usual monthly Tech News shows (up to 3 a week) in order to cover the entire What's New PDF in September before FCS (First Customer Ship). Between the podcast, blog and other posts around the web, there will be no shortage of SolidWorks 2011 content to come! ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD!

SWH Episode 291

3dvia Composer V6R2011:

This podcast details the new enhancements in the latest release of 3dvia Composer V6R2011 outlined in the release notes.  Topics covered:

- Enhancements to product structure (Assemblies and import)

- Updates and changes to authoring (Views, hatching, linking, collaboration)

- Changes in system properties and workshorps (FKA task panes)

- User Interface streamlining (Gizmos, modes, tool tips, etc)

- Documentation enhancements

- Changes to API, Removed features, system requirements

After a few weeks of using this newly released version of 3dvia Composer V6R2011, it is apparent to me that SolidWorks and Dassault are making strives to add uniformity to the interfaces of their various product lines. 2011's updates to the UI have brought familiarity and consistency to the software, especially for those of us who use both 3DVC and SolidWorks.

I listed my top 5 enhancements on the blog this week and even mentioned that one of my favorite additions, Magnet Lines, I hope to see within SolidWorks in the next few releases.  With interactive icons like drag handles, fly up cursor menus, tooltips, and even drag rulers, SolidWorks and 3dvia Composer feel like sister products.  The sharing of technology between these two products, I believe, will bring greater adoption in the long run and the more recognition of CAD-specified attributes will lower the barrier to those who are tasked to use both tools.  2011 seems to bring with it enough "needed" features to warrant anyone using 2010x or earlier to migrate to it. ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD!

SWH Episode 284