Mike Puckett's Blog

Are You About To Get Vista'ed by Solidworks???

Earlier this year when Microsoft released their Vista operating system, there was, lets say, minor issues with hardware and software compatibility.  So much so, Microsoft developed a downloadable program that you ran on your computer to see just how your current computer would do if you were to invest in Vista.  As a whole, the software side of the issues mainly dealt with drivers not being compatible.  This was an easy fix once the manufactures released new drivers.

Now hardware on the other hand was a different issue.  If you have visited an electronics store in the recent past, and looked at computer hardware, you have undoubtedly noticed the "Vista Ready" logo on many products.  Heck, even the new keyboards have a remodeled Windows key!  So who really cares about replacing a $6 keyboard, or a $10 mouse?  What if you had to start replacing major components like motherboards, hard disk drives, or even your graphics card?  You've just been Vista'ed!

For kicks, I ran the Microsoft utility on my laptop that I use for Usergroup meetings, and to work when I'm on the road.  As I guessed, everything pretty much passed, except my video card.  Well that meant that I wouldn't be able to get to use the new 3D window 'flipping' feature that looks so cool in Vista, along with all the other cool graphics changes.  So I will pass on upgrading my laptop for now.

So what does this have to do with Solidworks.  Well much like Vista, SW 2008 has major user interface upgrades which are heavily reliant on graphics performance.  For years, the number one response to just about any issue submitted to tech support at Solidworks is "what video card and driver are you using?"  So like all good people who rely on our computers to complete our daily tasks, we all went out and bought Solidworks Certified video cards.  Heck, many people that went to Solidworks World this year took advantage of those huge savings on nVidia cards they were blowing out in New Orleans.  So now SW 2008 comes along, and guess what?  Video card selection is more important now than ever.  Take a look at the images below.  These are the same model.  One is open on a machine with a SW 2008 supported video card, the other isn't.

Supported Video Card

Non Supported Card

There isn't a ton of difference there, but the performance suffers dramatically.  Well you might be saying "Whew, good thing I have a certified video card!"  Well take a look at the current list of approved video cards listed on the Beta site:

Is yours on there?  When I first joined the beta program a few months back, and saw this on the site, I instantly checked the cards in the shop, and all of them were listed.  I then compared the list to the cards that were severely marked down at SW World, and most of those didn't make the cut either.  Now I may be risking certain things by posting this screen shot, but I think it's important information to get out there as soon as possible.  I'm a firm believer that as technology progresses, the hardware in our computers must progress along with it.  How long ago did a 120gb hard drive sound like overkill?  Sw2008 will most likely take up about 3-4% of that drive!

So the question is, are these the only cards they decided to use during beta?  In years past, the list was never any shorter than normal, so the question looms.   I'm putting this out there in hopes that SW will address this issue before we all start to discover that this list wont be getting much longer!  Also, it's meant to give a chance to all the managers out there to start submitting  capital  expenditure  requests  so they can get their hands on some new cards before the DHL guy shows up in September with SW 2008.

In the near future, the inevitable discussion will arise that SW is in bed with the video card manufacturers in order to get us all to upgrade.  Well remember that 120gb hard drive question, take a look around, how much outdated equipment is laying around?  Or what do you remember throwing out in the not to distant past that simply wasn't usable anymore?  I don't expect the computer that was built for me at the beginning of the year to last me much more than 3 years.  In fact I like idea that technology is progressing so fast that we have to upgrade on a normal cycle.

So for those that have it easy in getting resources to get whats needed, I say good for you.  But to all those independents out there, I hope there is a viable solution out there for you before that launch day a few months down the road.

If I get any response from Solidworks in regards to this issue, I will be sure to pass it along.   

Solidworks 2008 Feature Tree Enhancements...

The feature tree in Solidworks is really the hub of information for a model.  I find myself going to it to look for features, see which ones have errors, and to perform other tasks.  In SW 2008, some enhancements make navigating the feature tree easier.  Here are an example of a few:

If you take a look at the attached picture, you will see the new additional menu that pops up when you left click a feature in the tree (note its a left, and not right click).  This instant menu allows you to do one of the following six tasks: edit the feature, edit the sketch, suppress the feature, rollback to it, zoom to it, make your view normal to it, or change the appearance of it.  While this menu isn't configurable, we can only hope it will be in a future service pack.

One of the first things I like to do in a new version is go thru the Tools>Settings options to see what functionality SW has now allowed me to control.  In CAD, most users fight for screen space, and like to be able to do away with icons and other stuff that they don't need to see.  Over the past few releases, the top of the feature tree has continued to grow with 'stock' items some people simply don't use.

Well in 2008, you will now have the ability to turn most of that stuff off.  This makes the initial length of the feature tree much shorter, therefor negating the need to constantly scroll up and down where possible.  While a very simple enhancement, none the less a step in the right direction.

Take a look at the attached picture.  While not the longest tree you have seen, its a few screen lengths long.  In the tree is a mirror feature you want to modify.  Well to make it easier, SW 2008 now has a search function inside the feature tree that will filter the tree by what you type in.

Now look what happens when you type the letters 'mi' into the search box, SW filters out everything except what starts with the letters 'mi'.

So these are a few of the enhancements new to Solidworks 2008.  You can certainly start to get the feel that the direction of Solidworks is to make it easier for designers to focus on their design, and not their CAD interface.

SolidWorks 2008 Announced...

Solidworks this week formally announced Solidworks 2008.  After numerous sneak peaks at usergroup meetings, and in internet newsgroups, Monday morning marked the official availability of feature specific information.  The easiest way to explain the upgrades in this release is by using the Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 analogy.  That was a major User Interface change.

SW 2008 includes huge changes to the UI.  While this certainly makes for a prettier product, is there any changes that actually make it a better product?  Based on the amount of beta testing I have been able to do, there is quite a bit of stuff that makes the users interaction with the software easier.  I can say that I can perform my normal tasks with significantly less mouse clicks, and without having to move my cursor off the graphics area as much.

Over the next week or two, I will try to highlight different areas of whats new, whats been improved, and what got ruined!  So stay tuned, and for other 2008 insights, be sure to follow along with the other Solidworks Blogs.

Getting Your Daily Fill of Blogs?

If not, you may want to checkout the list of Solidworks Blogs and see what you could be missing.  Let me explain a few important things and give you some transparency into how we all do this.

In my case I was asked by Richard Doyle to join the Blogging list.  I imagine it came about from my involvement in the usergroup community, and also from posts I would make in a certain internet newsgroup.

The blogging space is paid for and provided by Solidworks.  The upper hierarchy, and a good portion of the layout is managed by them.  But thats where their involvement ends.  Content of each individual blog is managed by each person.  We are not told what we can, or can not place in the blogs, as long as it doesn't violate any proprietary rules in the case of software.  Obviously being a Solidworks based blog, they appreciate the fact we keep them on topic as much as possible.  Some people might think that since they provide the space to us, that we will refrain from saying anything negative about the software.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  Have you ever read Matt Lombard's Blog?  Matt provides a very indepth and precise view of Solidworks.  Based on his vast knowledge, and extensive use of the software, his opinions and the information he gives is top notch.  Take a look at his current review of 2008.  He doesn't hold back, and that shows his independence to be able to put out there what he feels.

So what do we get out of doing it?  Well officially, nothing.  We are treated as members of the press, and likewise we receive the benefits they do.  This includes access to early views of upcoming software releases, and a press pass to Solidworks World.  We don't get a 'per post' fee or anything like that.  Mostly we all do it because we are passionate about what we do.  We all love our jobs, and as an extension we love playing with and discovering new things about Solidworks.  Personally for me its an education thing.  Back in 1998-1999 when I fist started using Solidworks, resources for learning Solidworks was pretty thin.  That was very frustrating, and if I can help one new person learn something, thats my reward.

So anyhow, thats an insight into the blogs that are available out there for all to read.  I wanted to explain it now because this week, you will start to see most of us posting about the release of 2008.  I thought it was important that it be known we are doing it for the right reasons, and not because we were being told too.  So make sure to browse the various blogs this week to get an inside look at whats coming up, and be sure to bookmark your favorites and keep coming back.  Also feel free to leave a comment, we don't edit or remove them based on what they say.  Look for my official review of 2008 later this week, along with plenty of screen shots!

Mobloging???

What is it? Well its Mobile Blogging. Yes we are now able to entertain you via our text enabled cell phones. Shown here is a picture taken from the deck of the boat I'm on. We are on our way back from a day of Scuba Diving at Catalina Island. So now if there is anything intresting to blog about while out and about, needless to say, it can be shot out to you instantly! Isn't technology great?

The Land of the Lost.....

Wasn't that a great show (for those who remember it)?  Anyhow, its been a little over a month since I last posted.  So here is a little insight into where I have been, and what I have been up to.  On the personal side, I have been pretty focused on getting into shape since late March.  This has involved being in the gym swimming a mile in the morning, and a mile in the evening.  Thats two 45 minute swim sessions a day!  The results have been well worth it as I have been able to drop 35 pounds since I started.  Another 15, and I will be at my goal.  I have also stared Scuba Diving again.  So my weekends have been filled with one day boat trips to Catalina to do some diving.

On the professional side, work has been crazy!  In the past month we have generated three new customer leads solely because of Solidworks, but more on that in a minute.  Our backlog of work is starting to grow once again, so thats promising.

So enough of the boring stuff!  I mentioned above about leads being generated by the fact that we use Solidworks, so here we go!

During the day one general session at Solidworks World  2007, C.O.O. Jeff Ray showed a pie chart to everyone showing a break down of on-line job search results. It showed that of the 8 leading 3D CAD programs, Solidworks receives 33% of job offerings, and the other seven make up the balance. This means that there are a tremendous amount of companies across a wide range of fields that are utilizing Solidworks. So how do you compete?

 

Well the mere fact that your company uses Solidworks gives you an advantage in terms of interacting with potential companies. Here are a few others:

 

Solidworks Manufacturing Network. As part of your subscription service, you have the opportunity to list your companies information and specialties onto the main Solidworks site. The network is then search able by any visitor to the site, where they may just be looking for a company that does exactly what yours does.

 

Solidworks Technical Summits. While mainly structured as a learning event for local regions, you cant help chatting with fellow users and in a sense ‘networking’ with other users that again, may be looking for a company that does exactly what yours does. The breaks in between sessions, and the lunch time are great opportunities to ask others what they do, and share ideas.

 

Solidworks World. The grand daddy of all face to face marketing opportunities. With close to 4,000 attendees, you are bound to strike up a conversation with numerous people in your industry, and more than likely make a new business contact. The birds of a feather lunches provide an excellent opportunity, as well as the welcome reception, off-site event, and even the airport lounge while waiting for your trip home!

 

Watch your email. Each year at Solidworks World, a number of pre-selected attendees are asked if they would like to participate in a case-study interview. At Solidworks World 2006, I was asked to participate, and my video recently made it onto the case study page at Solidworks.com. See our companies case study and my interview video here!

So these are a few ways to help market your company based on just being a Solidworks user. But sales managers beware, us users can spot you a mile away, and we will more likely be turned off by a sales pitch, as opposed to having a conversation with a day to day user. So leave the sales junk behind, and sit down and have a good conversation with a user, you don’t know where is just might lead!