SolidWorks:Heard! 2006

SolidWorks Daily Tips 2006:This podcast wraps up the year of podcasting and talks about all types of tips that can be used in your daily usage to boost your productivity for 2007!  Topics covered:- Quick Document Property shortcut- Sketching tips- Plane tips- Window splitters (graphics and feature manager)- Tips for parts- Tips for assemblies- Happy New Year!!!

Pictures In SolidWorks:This podcast details how to import pictures in SolidWorks to use in your designs.  Topics covered:- Background Pictures- Sketch Pictures- Decals- Adobe Illustrator Import

SolidWorks Communication Folders:This podcast coves two powerful communication folders inside of SolidWorks. Topics covered:- Design Binder- Design Journal- Attachments- Embeded vs. Linked- Comments- Updates to podcasts.ddicad.com

COSMOSXpress:This podcast coves how to push COSMOSXpress beyond the myth that this powerful free tool is nothing more than a teaser product. Topics covered:- What capabilities COSMOSXpress comes with- How to create more complex boundary conditions- How to use it with weldments- How to use it with assemblies- Where to find materails- When you need COSMOSWorks- Tech news

SolidWorks Rx:This podcast coves the SolidWorks Rx diagnostic program.  This tool can assist in pinpointing issues that surface in your installation. Topics covered:- Where to find it- Diagnostic features- Problem capture features- Addition links and features- Tech news

SolidWorks Resources Pane:This podcast coves the SolidWorks Resources tab in the Task Pane.  This first tab contains many useful tools and links that are many times passed over in our rush to get work started. Topics covered:- Getting Started- Community- Online Resources- Work Flows- Tip of the Day- Customization?

SolidWorks Interface Efficiency:This podcast coves simple interface customizations that can improve your usage efficiency eliminating extraneous searching and clicking.  Topics covered:- Repeat & recent commands- Menu management- Toolbar customization- Keyboard shortcuts- Workflow options- Mouse shortcuts- Tech news

Fastening Features:This podcast coves the fastening features in SolidWorks for the further automation in plastic and thin feature part design.  Topics covered:- Mounting Bosses- Snap Hooks- Snap Hook Grooves- Vents

SolidWorks on a Mac:This podcast coves options to run Windows on a Mac in order to get SolidWorks running.  Topics covered:- History behind the myth- Windows in Mac options- Apple's BootCamp software- Why?- Concerns- Limitations?- Ben Eadie Video Podcast- Steve Woz speaking at SolidWorks World Conference

SolidWorks x64 Editions:This podcast coves the benefits of 64 bit technology and how SolidWorks has taken advantage of this.  Topics covered:- Hardware supported- Operating systems supported- Applications supported- Why switch?- Concers for switching- Common questions- SolidWorks x64 products

SolidWorks Scan to 3D:This podcast covers the features of the SolidWorks Scan to 3D options uncovering everything that comes with this new functionality in Office Premium.  Topics covered:- Next Engine Scanner- Scan Studio Integration- Mesh Prep Wizard- Surface Wizards- Additonal import options

SolidWorks Backup & Recovery:This podcast covers the features of the SolidWorks Backup and Recovery options.  Topics covered:- Auto Recovery Options- Backup Options- Save Notifications- Pros and Cons

SolidWorks Installation Manager:This podcast covers the new features of the SolidWorks Installation Manager.  Topics covered:- Where to find it- How it works- Interface- First impressions

SWIFT - Sketch, Mate & Dim Xperts:This podcast covers the remainder of the SWIFT tool set.  The following tools are covered:- SketchXpert- MateXpert- DimXpert

SWIFT - FeatureXpert:This podcast covers the how SWIFT technology works within the FeatureXpert.  Topics discussed:- Options- Limitations- FilletXpert- DraftXpert- Best practices

SolidWorks Pack and Go:This podcast covers the new Pack and Go functionality added to SolidWorks 2007.  Topics discussed:- Where to find it- What it can "Pack"- "Go" Options- Other capabilities

DDi Tech Tip #25 - SolidWorks Search. This podcast covers the new search functionality in SolidWorks.  This is a very useful tool powered by Windows Vista technology and utilizes an indexing service called Windows Desktop Search.  Topics coved will include:- Interface- Options- Capabilities- Search criteria- Wildcards & Keywords

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Cosmos Products:-COSMOSWorks-COSMOSMotion-COSMOSFloWorks

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Office Components - Part2:-PDMWorks Workgroup-ScanTo3D-SolidWorks Design Checker-SolidWorks Routing-SolidWorks Task Scheduler

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Office Components - Part1:- General Enhancements- eDrawings- FeatureWorks- PhotoWorks- SolidWorks Animator- SolidWorks Toolbox- SolidWorks Utilities

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Sheet Metal & Other Functionality: Sheetmetal:- Corner Trim- Edge Flanges on curved planar edges- Lofted bends with bend lines- Transform sketches from flattened to bent state Other Functionality:-Installation-API-Display-Import/Export-Solidworks Explorer-Weldments

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Detailing:- Annotation views- Arrows- Balloons- Blocks- Center marks- Datum feature symbols- Dimensioning standards- Dimensions- DimXpert- Leaders- Moving and copying annotations- Notes- Tables- Text alignment- Undo- View lables

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Drawings:- Broken views- Deleting views- Drawing sheets- Relative views- Section views- View Palette

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Assemblies:- Belt/Chain- Display and selection- Mates- Smart components- General enhancements

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Parts & Features:- General- Boundary surfaces- Feature, Fillet, and Draft Xperts- Freeforms- Hole Series- Surface Fills

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Sketching:- 3D sketching- Blocks- Copy dimensions and relations- Define sketch patterns- Fully define sketch- Relations with midpoints- Sketch orientation behavior- Sketching options- SketchXpert- Spline

DDi - SW2007 What's New Series - Fundamentals:- Add to library- Auto-recover, backup, save notification- Background images- CommandManager- Documentation- Error reporting- FeatureManager design tree- Keyboard shortcuts- Numeric input- Open and save dialog boxes- Pack and Go- Performance feedback- Screen Capture- Select other- Task Pane- Triad- Undo- Units and Dim standards- View menu

DDi - Newsflash - July 30, 2006 - SolidWorks Releases 2007 SP0.0 on 7/25/06. The next handfull of podcasts will be highlighting the What's New in 2007 document which can be found in the Help pulldown in SolidWorks 2007. Please read this document if you get a chance. I know we are all so busy so I will be breaking this document into sections and posting about 2 casts a week to get through it in the month of August.

DDi Tech Tip #24 - SolidWorks 2D to 3D. This podcast covers the tools that are available in SolidWorks for assistance in 2D to 3D conversion. These tools make translating DXF and DWG files much easier. Even if you only want one profile so you don't have to re-sketch it. Topics covers are: -What is translated? -What tools are available? -How the tools work?

DDi Tech Tip #23 - SolidWorks Import Diagnostics. This podcast covers what built in import diagnostics are inside of SolidWorks. Topics covered: -What does it detect? -How it detects? -What it repairs? -How it removes gaps -Overall layout of the tool.

This podcast covers DDi monthly news for July 2006. Some highlights are: -Next Engine Scanner Beta Test Review -SolidWorks Pre Release 1 (Now Early Visibility) available -Human Powered Vehicle 24 hour record attempt -Information about a video podcast done by Ben Eadie from Mountain Wave up in Canada. Ben has great tips and is the only other podcast out there spreading his knowledge of SolidWorks. You can find his podcast in iTunes as well as Yahoo or visit his blog at mountain-wave.blogspot.com.

DDi Tech Tip #22 - SolidWorks Curve Tools. This podcast covers curve tools that can take help create curves to aid in complex cros-sections, guide curves, and even surface recreation.  The tools covered in this podcast are:-Projected Curves-Composite Curves-Intersection Curves-Face Curves

DDi Tech Tip #21 - SolidWorks Multibody Tools. This podcast covers tools that can be used to take advantage of the multi-body environment of SolidWorks The tools covered this episode are: - Move/Copy Bodies - Combine Tool - Save Bodies / Create Assembly - Split Part

DDi Tech Tip #20 - SolidWorks Layout Sketches. This podcast covers how to use layout sketches and the new functionality introduced into SolidWorks 2006 to use blocks in the layout sketches to automate creating dependent parts. This is a great tool for automation of assemblies and their associative parts.

DDi Tech Tip #19 - SolildWorks Measurement Tools. This podcast covers how to use:-Measure tool-Mass & Section Properties-Feature & Assembly Statistics-Deviation AnalysisI share a few tips in these tools that many people many not know about!

This podcast covers DDi monthly news for June 2006. Some highlights are: -American Inventor finalists used SolidWorks -PDMWorks Workgroup and Enterprise licensing changes -Cosmos Companion is released --Beta update -SolidWorks 2007 updates -Next Engine Scanner -Information about a video podcast done by Ben Eadie from Mountain Wave up in Canada. Ben has great tips and is the only other podcast out there spreading his knowledge of SolidWorks. You can find his podcast in iTunes as well as Yahoo or visit his blog at mountain-wave.blogspot.com.

DDi Tech Tip #18 - Cosmos Design Scenarios. This is the final part of the four part series on Cosmos Tips. Topics discussed are: -Parameters: -Linking Values -Design Scenarios Setup -Running Scenarios -Design Scenario Results

DDi Tech Tip #17 - Cosmos Adaptive Methods & Effects. This is the third of the four part series on Cosmos Tips. Topics discussed are: -Adaptive Methods: -H Adaptive -P Adaptive -Flow/Thermal Effects: -Input Temps -Import Thermal studies -Import COSMOSFloWorks Temps -Import COSMOSFloWorks Pressures

DDi Tech Tip #16 - Cosmos Solvers & Mesh Options. This is the second of a four part series on Cosmos Tips. Topics discussed are: - Solvers - Solver Options - What solveres to use when - Mesh Selections - Mesh Options

DDi Tech Tip #15 - Cosmos Task Pane This is the first of a four part series on Cosmos Tips. These are user interface options that have been added that have made design analysis and verification easy! Topics discussed are: - Analysis Research - Analysis Library - Analysis Advisor ***Update: I attached a new file since the old one had about a 5 min silence. Sorry about that. The content is the same just without the long silent ending! ~ Lou***

This podcast covers DDi monthly news for May 2006. Some highlights are: -SolidWorks acquires GCS Scandinavia, the makers of Conisio -Cosmos Companion is released -36 Mil-Spec hardware on 3D Content Central -Beta update -SolidWorks 2007 updates -Information about a video podcast done by Ben Eadie from Mountain Wave up in Canada. Ben has great tips and is the only other podcast out there spreading his knowledge of SolidWorks. You can find his podcast in iTunes as well as Yahoo or visit his blog at mountain-wave.blogspot.com.

SolidWorks Tip #14 - SolidWorks Explorer. This podcast covers how to use SolidWorks Explorer and the tasks it can perform. Topics covered are: -Replace Documents -Rename Documents -Copy Documents -Edit Configurations and File Properties -Property Search. Once used, this tool will become part of your everyday routine.

SolidWorks Tip #13 - Assembly Shortcuts.. This podcast covers topics of assembly shortcuts that are built into SolidWorks. The topics covered are: -Selection -Move/Rotation -SmartMates -Component Reorder / Maintenance -Display States -Display Pane -Appearance Callouts -Portability These are just a handful of ways to sharpen your assembly modeling techniques. Sorry this one got a few minutes longer than I anticipated.

SolidWorks Tip #12 - 3D Content Central. This podcast covers topics of how to search, download, and share 3D models on the online resource hosted by SolidWorks called 3D Content Central. It's free, anyone can register, and you can drag and drop models right into SolidWorks!

SolidWorks Tip #11 - Split Lines. This podcast covers topics of how to use the Split Line command in SolidWorks. Uses and applications for the following: - Projected Split Lines - Silhouette Split Lines - Intersection Split Lines Breifly touch on the differences of intersection split lines and the wrap feature using the scribe option.

SolidWorks Tip #10 - Matweb Export. This podcast covers topics of how to utilize and export your searches on www.matweb.com so you can import it into SolidWorks. With 56,000 material data sheets the selection is pretty good!

This podcast covers the DDi monthly news for April 2006. Some highlights are: -Cosmos Motion in SolidWorks Premium, Cosmos Professional and Advanced Pro out now in SP4.0 -64 Bit SolidWorks and Cosmos released in SP4.0 - SolidWorks 2007 Beta1 released today. Get signed up! -Webcasts -Assessment Tests! -DDi Referral Program -Congrats to the Slab Crabs!

SolidWorks Tip #9 - Memory Allocation. This podcast covers topics of recommended RAM, virtual memory settings, how to take advantage of Windows /3GB switch, as well as the benefits of using the 64-bit version of SolidWorks. Memory, will we every get enough?

SolidWorks Tip #8 - Weldment Customization. This podcast covers the following topics:-Creating custom weldment profiles-Weldment custom properties-Customizing weldment drawings-Customizing weldment cut lists

SolidWorks Tip #7 - Task Scheduler This podcast explains what the SolidWorks Task Scheduler is and what automation it can bring to you the user. The topics span from where to find it to what each task type is and what it can do. This is a great tool to set and forget!