Getting What You Paid For

In some cases where you have either upgraded or purchased a higher level of SolidWorks you may be missing some features. In most cases you probably have what you should but here is a way to fix it if you don’t.

For starters we need to open the installation manager. The most consistent way is to go to your control panel, add/remove programs (for XP) or programs and features (for Vista, Win7). Locate SolidWorks and choose change. This will launch the Installation Manager as seen below.

 

You may need to select your package type from here:

 

Next review your package inclusions and make sure they are all checked. Below is a sample of premium and it is currently missing Routing and Tolanalyst.

Once chosen SW will install them. In respect to the SNL based licenses, SolidWorks defaults to installing premium options to cover whatever license types might be on the network license. This doesn’t mean you actually can use them. Same thing would apply to a Stand Alone seat set to Premium, sure you will be able to install the options, but your license type will determine if you can use it. So don’t install anything you don’t have you will only be taking up space on you machine.

Click next and then modify now to install your selections.

John Van Engen
CATI Tech Support

SolidWorks 2011 SP5!

Hey all, 

2011 sp5 is out.  It is now possible to 'Exclude from cut list' property of a WeldmentCutListFolder (Cut List Item) through the API, change transparency of sub-assembly component/part from top level assembly, the global contact no longer fails between certain shell edges and shell faces, and the flat pattern of simple lofted bend sheetmetal part is no longer distorted.  For a complete list of fixed SPRs, see the following link.

https://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/subscription/ServicePackMaintenanceNotes.html

Just set up the filter as follows.

Brian Adika

Technical Analyst

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

 

Why do I see "< MOD-DIAM>" instead of the Diameter Symbol?

Every so often we see cases where we see strange syntax instead of the diameter symbol or other similar items. See image. Most often this issue can be quickly resolved by simply shutting SolidWorks down to the desktop, giving it a few seconds rest and then restarting SolidWorks and reopening your file. If this doesn't work then a complete reboot would be the next thing to try and if that still doesn't work?! Then it's time to capture this behavior with SolidWorksRx and send that zip file package in to support!

Simulation and Motion Optimization

SW Motion is a great tool to understand kinematics of a mechanism. The  2012 version of Motion has a great new feature. If you use actuators and sensors to control the movement of a mechanism, you can optimize the entire design virtually. Typically, to get the system correctly configured would take many trial and errors on an actual machine or many hours of hand calculations.

 

A user can simply input sensors as a variable and the optimization tool to study range of motion. In addition constraints can be given to ensure SolidWorks motion find an optimum design for you. Check out this video…let me know how this will help your design processes.

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager - Design Validation

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

Time to check you graphics card driver

With the release of SolidWorks 2012 SP0.0 and companies updating to 2012 most people forget to check and make sure there graphics card driver is updated to its latest version.  So after you install the new version of SolidWorks  check to make sure your using the latest graphics card driver as well.  

This can be done a couple different ways but the easiest in my opinion is to utilize the SolidWorks RX tool. To run the RX tool follow the path below.

Start Menu-All Programs- SolidWorks 2012 – SolidWorks Tools - SolidWorks RX

Once you have it running simple check the diagnostic tab at the top and look at the first status marker. If your driver is up to date you will see a green check mark like the image below.

 

If for some reason you do not have a green check mark then you mostly likely need to update to the latest graphics card driver. If you do need to update simply follow the link provided by the SolidWorks RX tool or check the SolidWorks website at https://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html

One final note on updating your graphic card driver is to download the new driver then uninstall the old driver, reboot your computer and install the new driver.

 

Nick Jansen, CSWP

Application Engineer

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custom Broken-out Section Views

Sometimes you may want to show a broken out section view in a drawing to see the inside of an assembly.  The broken-out section view tool that you have in the view layout tab can be difficult to control and doesn’t show well in an isometric orientation.  This can easily be done by creating an assembly feature cut.

I this case, I want to see the inside of the grill…

First create a sketch where you would like the cutout:

 

When you create the assembly cut, you have the ability pick and choose the components to be cut by using the feature scope.

 

Final results:

 

Now you can see the steaks cooking on the grill…

Enjoy,

Nathan Brunner, CSWP

Technical Analyst

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

SolidWorks 2012 SP0.0 is available for download

Good Afternoon

SolidWorks has released SolidWorks 2012 SP0.0 for download today.

If you are currently active on subscription/maintence you can download the software from the SolidWorks Customer Portal (https://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/downloads.htm).

You can also learn more about the 2012 release of the software by watching the video on the SolidWorks Website (http://www.solidworks.com/launch/register/solidworks-2012-b.htm).

You can also attend one of the CATI Design Summits that are going on throughout the Midwest this October to see What’s New in 2012. To register for one of these events go to http://www.cati.com/events/design-innovation-summit/cati-design-innovation-summit.php

Thanks and Enjoy SolidWorks 2012

Josh Altergott

CATI Support Manager