…Purchase a new computer.

What is the life span of an engineering work station?  Some people say up to five years.  I have been working at CATI for almost nine years.  In that time frame I can think of at least seven different computers that I have had.  I know that it seems really high, but let’s take a closer look.  Most techs will say that you can figure that the average engineering work stations with SolidWorks will last three years.  If I went back three years and found that machine it would have been a Dell M70.  It at the time was a great machine.  SolidWorks 2007 installed (great release), 2 gb of RAM, that thing was great.  Now let’s take that same machine and put it into use today.  While it will still run SolidWorks, it is no longer certified.  2gb looking back seems like nothing.  Good luck finding a graphics driver let alone a certified one that works well.  Is it going to run, yes.  Is it going to run well and put me in a position to be productive? Absolutely not.  I hate to say it, but three years for an engineering PC is pushing it.  By now most companies are taking the computers that are rotating out of engineering and trickling them down into sales, or purchasing.  While they are on the low side for engineering, they are most likely perfect in their new sales or purchasing roles.  Keep reading, next time we will start to look at some of the options for hardware and software in new engineering machines.

Dimension Palette Disappears when I try to select it.

 

When SolidWorks 2010 released we got a great tool for modifying dimensions fast, the dim palette. SolidWorks Help says, "The dimension palette appears when you insert or select a dimension so you can easily change the dimension's properties and formatting. You can change the tolerance, precision, style, text, and other formatting options in the palette without going to the Property Manager." Learning about the tool from the What's New doc, I tried it out. But it didn't work for me. When I created or selected a dimension the palette would appear, but then disappear when you hovered your mouse over it. I did a lot of things to my system to try to narrow it down. I went as far as blowing away my windows user profile. After its demise the dimension palette worked once again, puzzling.... So I adjusted my screen resolution back up to a level higher than 1024 x 768 and the problem came back. WHAT CHANGED OTHER THAN THE STINKING SCREEN SIZE! I was a little angry at this point. I found that when I changed my resolution, Windows changed the font size to compensate for the larger resolution. Making Windows use the default font size of 96 dpi solved the problem. So we call SolidWorks informed development team about it and they issued an SPR number of 535800 "Unable to use dimension palette (disappear or does not appear) when using Large DPI display settings". So here is how you solve this problem in the each supported OS. Window XP 1. Right mouse button click on your desktop. 2. select "Properties"   3. Click on the "Settings" Tab and click the "Advanced" button in the bottom right hand corner

 4. Change the DPI Settings to "Normal Size 96dpi" and reboot your system.

Window Vista

1. Right mouse button click on your desktop.

2. select "Personalize"

3. Click on "Adjust font size (DPI)"

 
4. Change DPI Scaling to "Default (96 DPI)" and reboot your system

 

Window 7

 

1. Right mouse button click on your desktop.

2. select "Personalize"
 

3. Click on "display" in the lower left hand corner.

 
4. Change the DPI from Medium - 125%  to Smaller - 100%

Enjoy using your dimension palette.

Bob McGaughey, CSWP

Computer Aided Technology.

 

No Internet Connection Activation

Eventually you’ll have to get to the internet somehow to activate your Solidworks products. Let’s face it, how would we live without it at this point? Solidworks is completely activation based now for all products which requires some sort of connection to the big bad web somewhere sometime.

Some users do not wish to have their workstations connected at all do to various reasons. The main one’s being security threats, resource suckers and general distractions from the main goal which is productivity. However you still need to activate your Solidworks within the 30 day grace period to get it to fully function.

Here is the process:

1.   When prompted to activate your products, Solidworks will always default to the “Automatically Over the Internet (recommended)” check box.

2. Select the Manual via email option.

3. Press the Save button on the next screen and save the file.

*Important Tip Here-REMEMBER WHERE YOU SAVE THE FILE

4. Get a copy of the saved file to a flash drive or some other removable media.

5. Send the file that was generated to activation@solidworks.com

6. Wait for the response file to come back. This will not be instantaneous!

7. Once your response file has been emailed to you repeat the process listed above in reverse. This time pressing the “Open” to read the response file.

That should do it. You can now concentrate all your efforts on designing which is why you have Solidworks in the first place.

Todd Werginz

CATI

Power Tools for Free.Ninety.Free

www.3dvia.com I spent a little time on 3dvia site today and was amazed by all of the powerful tools this branch of Dassault is putting out for public beta. "Whether you're a game developer, industry professional or simply a 3D enthusiast, turn any concept into lifelike 3D fast and easy with 3DVIA's product offerings. Find the software that best fits your needs in our suite of consumer and professional products."

here are a list of the free betas you can get your hands on.

 
Build and publish breathtaking online games, simulations and visualizations fast.

 
3D design made easy. Free modeling software simple enough for anyone to use

 

 
Add 3D models to Photoshop® compositions.

 

Have Fun,

Bob McGaughey, CSWP

CATI

 

 

Details of Instant 3D's Interface

If you've run SolidWorks since version 2008, you've undoubtly run into Instant 3D since it's toggled on by default right out of the box. (Unless you have a savvy Admin who's setup your installs to have it off.)

The purpose of this blog article is to explain as simply as possible, the what, where, & how's.

WHAT is Instant 3D? It is an optional(toggles on/off) interface for changing sketch and feature values dynamically by dragging. If you're in need of making the fasted what if changes to a model, it's the hot ticket.

WHERE is Instant 3D? It's found on the Features Toolbar (no where else, not even in the menu's) If you use the Command Manager w/Text it would look like this.

If you'd like to Add this Icon to your toolbar of choice, the icon can be found here:

HOW to Use Instant 3D? It

With Instant 3D Off:
--One double clicks a face to see dimensions, double clicks a dimension to see the modify box. (Simple, standard stuff from way, way, back.)   
 

With Instant 3D On: (SolidWorks Default) It's a bit more complex.
--One single or double clicks a face to see dimensions.
--Drag those blue dots! Heck yea!

----Keep your cursor on the ruler to snap to the ruler increments.
----Keep your cursor off the ruler to get values inbetween the ruler increments.
--If one double clicks a dimension, they see the modify box.
--If one single clicks a dimension, they see only a small box to change the value.

It gets more confusing with configurations: (w/Instant 3D On)
--The modify box provides an icon to determine if the dimension is All, Specified or This configuration.
--The small box doesn't provide any icon or clue if the dimension is All, Specified or This configuration.
--Dragging the Blue Dots, doesn't provide any icon or clue if the dimension is All, Specified or This configuration.
--It all boils down to how is the dimension across the configurations right now?
----If the dimension is common to All Configurations, changing the value by dragging or small box affects ALL CONFIGURATIONS.
---If the dimension is This Configuration or Specified Configurations changing the value by dragging or small box affects just THIS CONFIGURATION.

Adding a Serial Number - SolidNetWork License Manager

Ok, this shouldn't be so hard, but it's got several little hurdles, thus this blog posting ;)

(Ref. This is SolidWorks 2010 as of SP 2.1)

1. AT THE SERVER (the actual SNL server that's running the service.)


2. We need to change the program: SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager
   


3. The Setup Wizard should come up and we choose Modify
   


4. A License Information window should come up, this is where we add the new serial number.
   


5. Note the Hint in the window - very important!


6. Hit the Next button. This will add the new serial number to registry properly. On the next screen, hit the Cancel button. This is the only change we needed to make.


7.  Run the SolidNetWork License Manager


8. On the Server Administration Tab, pick the Modify button.
   


9. A SolidNetWork License Server Information window should come up, pick the Next button.


10. A Activate/Transfer Your SolidWorks Product window should come up, select the Pulldown for Serial#: and pick your newly added serial number.
    


11. Pick the appropriate activation option. (Automatically over the Internet)


12. Pick the Next button, wait for the activation to complete.


13. As with any change, verify that the product license changes show as available on the License Usage Tab of the SolidNetWork License Manager. - Viola!

Jim Krivoshein

Avast! an issue with SolidWorks

Off of a recent support call we learned that Avast! Internet Security has been found to cause a problem on x64 machines while installing SolidWorks. Even though SolidWorks does not required to us shut down the anti-virus programs anymore during installs, it is still common place during trouble shooting to turn it off to rule it out. In this case it was a culprit in producing a SolidWorks environment that was unstable. This system exhibited these symptom:

Could not save any new part file, assembly file, or drawing document. Crash during save.

Avast! 5.0 AV was the culprit.  It had to be uninstalled completely, just stopping it from the services wasn't enough.  After that, SolidWorks would save again.  It didn't even have to be repaired.  SolidWorks is tested for version 4.0, but apparently not 5.0.  SolidWorks is going to do more testing with it, and has issued an SPR 544717. The only work around so far is to not use it, or install 4.0, or a new AV package.

Here is a list of the currently supported/tested Anti-virus programs found on SolidWorks Knowledge Base S-045741.

Q: What are the most current anti-virus (AV) applications have been tested (install and usage) with SolidWorks?

A: http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/AntiVirus_SW.html

The following Anti-Virus (AV) applications have been tested (install and usage) with SolidWorks.  For the applications listed below, it is not necessary to turn off or disable the anti-virus (AV) during installation. These applications have been tested for the current supported version(s) of SolidWorks.

If installation issues with one of the listed AV applications are encountered, report the issue to your Reseller and follow the recommendations given by Technical Support.

If an application is not listed, SolidWorks cannot verify whether the application will block the installation of SolidWorks software or Windows® components. This means it may be necessary to turn the anti-virus off during the install and then re-boot the system.

Note: Always keep the anti-virus pattern file up-to-date. See the vendor for details.

avast! Professional Edition 4.x - Pass 

AVG Anti-Virus - 8.x Pass

CA eTrust™ AntiVirus - 8.1 Pass

eScan AntiVirus - 9.x Pass 

ESET NOD32 - 3.x Pass 

iolo AntiVirus™ - 1.5 Pass 

Kaspersky®  AV - 2010 Pass 

McAfee® VirusScan - 8.7 Pass  Only "Normal mode" is supported.

Norton AntiVirus - 2009 Pass 

Panda AntiVirus - 2009 Pass 

Sophos™ Anti-Virus - 7.6.x Pass  Warning message on install/uninstall (see SPR 516307)

Symantec™ Endpoint Protection - 11.x Pass 

Trend Micro™ OfficeScan™

Until next time!
John Van Engen
CATI Tech Support

SolidWorks World 2010 Proceedings Website

SolidWorks released all of the sessions for SolidWorks World 2010 today. If you were not able to attend this year or if you did attend SWW but were not able to get to all of the presentations you wanted you can now go online to download all of the presentations. Some of the sessions even have a video of the PowerPoint and the audio of the presenter.

 
Below is the link to the conference proceedings site: http://www.solidworks.com/swworld/index.htm. Unique log-ins are not being provided, you can log into the site by using your SolidWorks Customer Portal log-in. If you do not already have a log-in you can create one by clicking on the log-in button at the top of the page.  If you have any problems accessing the site please email swworldinfo@solidworks.com   

Hope to see you in San Antonio, TX at SolidWorks World 2011

Josh Altergott

CATI Support Team Leader

It's Just Time to ...Let XP Go

   I liked XP,  I really liked XP.  Who didn’t?  The OS as a whole has been and still is a main stay in our company.  I talked to a customer on the phone a couple of days ago that just ordered a new machine.  He was reciting the specs of this machine to me almost as if he was a proud father.  This guy was amped.  Sweet video card, lots of ram, and then he said it.  He ordered the machine preloaded with a XP 64bit downgrade.  I had to stop him.  You did what?  Why on earth at this point in the game would you take a new 64 bit system and not put Windows 7 on it?  He likes XP.   I know, I like XP too, but at some point we have to let go.  Embrace the new OS.  I like XP. I really like XP.  But I love my Windows 7.  The new features and functions in this OS are awesome.  I think that you will see more than a few blogs from Todd talking about new features and functions of 7.  (We have yet to upgrade Todd’s machine to 7, so I think that he is using the blog to try and create a justification.)

From God mode, to XP mode, (have I mentioned that I like XP?) there are some many new features and functions.  The upgrade is simple, and if you haven’t yet, you have to try it.  I think that you will agree that it is the way that everything is going to go.  If you need to take that XP install disk, say a few words, maybe a moment of silence.  In the end you are going to need to ease it on down into the bottom drawer of your desk.  No, not next to the Cheetos, the other bottom drawer, the one that houses the old Windows 2000 disk and the NT disk. The ME disk that is still in the wrapper, and the Vista disk that was used for one install, followed shortly by the XP disk again.  But it is just time to let XP go. 

Blank RX

With everyone moving to 64 bit operating systems, we are starting to see a different range of issues.  One of these is with the SolidWorks RX tool.  We often refer to this to check the system when customers call in with problems.  On some 64 bit systems, the RX tool will only show icons with a few lines.  When you drag your cursor across the window, you will notice that the cursor changes when you get to a link or option. It appears like all the functions still work, you just will not be able to see all of what you are selecting.

One would think that this would be a result of an incorrect graphics driver.  I double checked mine and was indeed using the recommended driver.  It actually has nothing to do with the graphics card.  It is the Adobe add-on for 64 bit systems called "Acrobat 3D 64-bit Add-On" that causes the problem.   If this x64 Adobe add-in is removed through add / remove programs, the RX tool appears and runs as it should.  Adobe should still run correctly with the add-in removed.  On my machine, I did get an error when I started Adobe stating something to the effect that Adobe is missing some critical components and a repair needs to be run.  However, I have not had any issues with Adobe or the toolkit that allows you to open 3D models.  Everything seems to be running just fine.  I should also point out that Adobe Acrobat 8.x, which is what I am using, was never developed for x64 systems.  Here is the link to the Adobe Tech notes... http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/333/333360.html 

SolidWorks has verified this issue and reported it in SPR 543888.

Adding a Macro to your Menus

So, you have a really cool macro that automates everything... Here is how you can add it to your SolidWorks menu structure.

 

 

Below is an example of creating a menu item macro in the Tools top menu.

 

...To create a macro menu item in the "Tools" top menu, please follow the steps below:

·         Create a folder called Macros in your SolidWorks installation directory (the same as the SLDWorks.exe).

o   Nothing below works without this folder!

·         Copy the macros you want to use into this directory you just created.

·         Open SolidWorks.

·         Select Tools -> Customize

·         Select the Menus Tab.

·         You will now see a “Macros” entry in the Categories section (It was not there before).

·         Select Macros from the Categories.

·         Select a macro command from the “Commands:” listbox.

·         Select &Tools from the “Change what menu:” dropdown.

·         Select Auto, or Top/Bottom (whichever you prefer) from the “Position on Menu:” dropdown.

·         Change the “Name for Command:” to whatever you like.

·         Click the Add button.

·         Click the OK button to clear the dialog.

 

Below, you can see that I created a "Custom Props" menu in the "Tools" top menu.

 Computer Aided Technology, INC

CHANGE THE OIL IN SOLIDWORKS AT 3,000 MINS.!

Yes! It’s been 3,000 Minutes!

(About a week. 60min/hour X 9hrs/day X 5days/week = 2,700 minutes.)

Have you changed the Oil in SolidWorks like you would in your automobile? Probably not, but you’d be unlikely to go too much further in your car (unless you use the synthetic’s maybe) so it’s time to "Change the Oil in SolidWorks”.

How do you do this?

Well SolidWorksRx of Course!

(See Start/Windows Icon, All Programs, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Tools, SolidWorksRx)

 Just like in a car, you should shut the engine off to change the oil, shut SolidWorks down before running SolidWorksRx.

This is what SolidWorksRx looks like:

 

Turn the following on and set the paths appropriately:

You run this right now / on demand!

 Or you could set it and forget it.

(Do this at least weekly for daily users of SolidWorks.)

Ahhh, the good feeling of necessary maintenance taken care of!

 

Jim Krivoshein

Render Contest.com a fun competition

 This last month I finally got make a submission to the PhotoWorks/PhotoView 360 Rendering contest at www.rendercontest.com.  This contest used to be hosted by Rob Rodriguez at http://robrodriguez.com. It is now hosted by Chris Thorn, a SolidWorks user for several years.  He like your feedback on contest.

 

With that, more about the contest.  Each month a SolidWorks model is selected to be rendered in either tool you would like in the SolidWorks suite of tools, PhotoWorks or PhotoView 360.  You have 30 days to render and submit your models.  At the close of the contest there is five days of voting open to the public.  The winner is then announced and the winner's entry is placed into the Winner's Gallery.

I've done my share of rendering over the years in SolidWorks, 3d Studio, Maya, POV-Ray and many others.  With that I've acquired a pretty good knowledge of the technology and techniques used in rendering.  So, today I'm starting a new category here at blog.cati.com, PhotoView 360. 360 will be our vessel of choice over the next few months, but the topics will lean more towards rendering in general.

We are going to cover topics such as preparing your model, materials, environments (HDRI and Non), outputs, and post production. I hope you enjoy it.

At the beginning, middle, and end of this I hope you take the time to download and try these techniques on the models at www.rendercontest.com. Upload your images, get feedback, and be creative.

I'll close with what James Cameron (YES the AVATAR guy) said at SolidWorks World this years. Follow these and submit your renders.

Hope is not a strategy

Luck is not a factor

Fear is not an option

By the way I WON!!!!!