Mike Puckett's Blog

What's New in 2008?

Here is a quick way to see:

When you activate drop down tool menus, you will notice a new question mark next to certain features.  These features are new in 2008.  If you click the question mark, it will launch a help window that explains the feature.  It looks like it's also supposed to have a fly-out note which doesn't seem to show up on my computer?

Anyways, just a quick way to see what's new.

A B C D E F.......1 2 3 4 5 6.........??????

CSWPCORE, CSWA, CSWPSURF, CSWPSMTL, CSWPCDES, CSWPCMOT...What does it all mean?  Well it's not alphabet soup, these are the certification programs offered now, or will be real soon, by Solidworks.  Here is a quick run down of each:

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWPCORE)

Solid Modeling Specialist

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWA)

Proficient in Engineering Principles & 3D Visualization

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWPSURF)

Advanced - Surfacing Specialist

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWPSMTL)

Advanced - Sheet Metal Specialist

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWPCDES)

Advanced - COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWPCDES)

Advanced - COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWPCMOT)

Advanced - COSMOSMotion Specialist

2007 has seen a complete overhaul of the certification program.  The diversification of the testing program signals the growth of Solidworks.  People are using the software across such a wide array of industries, breaking the certification program down into focused areas makes perfect sense.  So how do you make sense of it all?  Head on over to Solidworks Certification Page and get the run down.  The tests are mostly based online, and it looks as if you will soon be able to purchase the exams online.  Not all the tests are available, but I'm sure they will be soon. Tomorrow night November 1st, the Los Angeles area Solidworks User Group will be hosting Solidworks Certification Manager, Jeremy Luchini.  Jeremy will be on hand to discuss the certification program, and give a preview of the new online based tests. Check back here Friday for all the highlights!

What's In The Box???

Meeting give-a-ways?  Ebay stuff?  Amazon.com stuff?  Solidworks disc's?  2008 is here, so what's inside the box? (Anyone remember the Brad Pitt line from the movie Seven?)

Inside the box, are two smaller boxes.  They look very familiar, but the seem to be a bit smaller?  We get two boxes since we have two seats.  Now I would think it would make Al Gore just a bit more happy if we got one disc for all our seats?

Well inside it's pretty apparent why the box is so skinny.  Gone are the Solution Partner Product advertisement, the Solidworks Resource Guide, the welcome letter from John McEleney, and also gone is the green scratch pad (sorry Josh).  Also absent is the second plastic case like last year.  Since this years kit contains only DVD, and no CD's, the second case isn't necessary.  Ok, so maybe the paper saved will keep the wrath of Mr. Gore at bay just a little!

Inside the case are two DVD's.  So if you don't have a DVD ROM, now is the time to find one on a networked computer, and share it!  Also included is the EULA, a short what's new guide, and quick start card.  DVD 1 contains Windows XP and Vista 32 bit, and DVD 2 contains the Windows XP 64 bit install.  No love for the 64 bit Vista folks on the DVD's, for that you will have to download it from the customer portal.

So that's it, enjoy your new disc's, and just think, in about 12 more months, we will do it all over again!

Why You Should Attend Solidworks World Reason 14: Offsite Event..

Imagine being at the Las Vegas Motor-speedway, and having the entire infield to share with about 2500 of your closest friends!  Or having the 1/4 mile drag strip open so you can put a Hertz rental car though it's paces?  That was the scene in 2006 at the Solidworks World Off site Event.  The magnitude of these events is enormous.  In that case, just over 70 buses were staged at Caesars Palace to transport us all to the track.  What a sight it was to see!

Next year in San Diego, the off site event looks to be a fun one.  The Los Angeles area Solidworks User Group recently hosted Kerri Dunne who is the Events Manager for Solidworks.  She revealed further details about next years event.

On Tuesday night, Solidworks will shut down an entire block in the historic San Diego Gaslamp District.  The businesses on the street will remain open, and will be serving food, and drinks to enjoy.  On the street will be tons of activities to keep everyone entertained.  If years past are an indication as what to expect, expect nothing but the best this year.  Kerri and her team do an outstanding job keeping things organized.  If you want to thank her, she will probably be running around with a radio and clipboard directing bus traffic!

Need A Better Video Player?

Have you ever run into codec problems while trying to play a video on your computer?  How about waiting for all the warning screens to finish before you can view the actual DVD menu?

Video Lan is your answer.  Also known as VLC Player, its an end all for playing ANY type of video on a computer.  The player is compatable with over 15 operating systems!  The player has been downloaded over 92 million times in Windows format alone since 2005!  I stumbled upon it when I encountered a codec problem in Windows Media Player.  I have never looked back.

The program is open source, so its suitable for anyones use.  Head on over to The VLC Site for the download.  Its a relatively smalle file at just over 9mb.

Where O Where Could Our DVD's be???

It was a warm and typical Southern California day.  The sun was shining, kids were out playing, and there was a yellow DHL van pulling up in front of the office.  This hard working delivery guy was dropping off a small 2 pound box.  Inside, the contents of the newest version of Solidworks!  The date was August 24th, but the year was 2006!  So here one year, and two months later, the DHL guy is no where in sight.  The summer has passed, Halloween is here, but we have no Instant 3D! 

Ben Eadie over at The SolidMentor Site received his a few days ago, so does this mean we could be getting a visit from jolly ole St. DHL Guy any day now?  Now don't get me wrong my life doesn't revolve around the annual release of Solidworks, it's just that you start to wonder what's going on behind the scenes that delays shipments of new software.  The 2008 download has been available since early September, but aren't we told to uninstall downloaded versions once disc's arrive?  If so, why do it twice?  Also, it seems as if what will be arriving may be Service Pack .1!  So will the "I'm going to wait for the first service pack before I upgrade" crowd upgrade as soon as this disc arrives?  Technically it would be the first service pack, right?

So just a little humor, and a jab at the Solidworks folks while we patiently wait for the yellow van to pull up, oh wait, I see a van........

Nope, false alarm, it was a flower delivery van.  Well at least someone has something to open!

So have you received your DVD yet?  Maybe one of the Solidworks folks will chime in and give us an update!  Until then I guess I will go back to working in software thats so last year now, but it could be worse, it could be Inventor right?

Load of Free Stuff to Win...

So who doesn't like free stuff?  Well there is a catch, you have to compete for it!  Anyhow, there are a few contests going on that Solidworks users can participate in.

First, Adobe is running one to promote their 3D PDF interface.  They also have some pretty cool prizes.  Check out the contest HERE.

Second, 3DSolidmentor has launched officially and is starting to gain solid momentum.  By joining you may be one of the magic numbers that can receive one of the 2007 Solidworks Bibles written by the legend himself Matt Lombard.

And last but not least, there is the monthly Solidworks Photoworks Contest, held by Rob Rodriguez.  Each month brings a new model, but more importantly, a new prize!

So head on over and play a little on your free time!

Why You Should Attend Solidworks World 15: Making New Friends...

If you sit in a room with close to 4,000 people, chances are your going to make a new friend.  At the last two SW Worlds, I have made quite a few.  More so than just new business contacts, but friends you can look to when you have a Solidworks question you need answered.  Being a user group leader, I have made it a point to try to meet people from my region, and try to spread the word about the group.  I have also put faces to names of the other group leaders, and because of that, have been able to go to some of them when I have a question I just cant answer.

So dont be shy when you are walking around.  The names on the badges are there for a reason.  You will notice that when you start talking to someone, they will instantly look down at your badge and see who you are.  You will be suprised who you will run into!

Us Vs. Them??

A little friendly competition is always good for everyone.  Heck, in a free market, it's what drives the economy, right?  Recently I have been wandering around the Internet looking over what is being done in the AutoCad world of things.  I picked up on some interesting things.

First,  it seems as if Autodesk is hell bent on bringing back the 80's.  No, I'm not talking about the lack of any real new exciting functionality that was created after the 80's, it's their Planned Celebration of 1982 scheduled for their user conference next month.  Oh, and by the way, CAD conferences in Vegas are so two years ago now!

In another throw back to the century gone by, Autodesk has decided to 're-coin' the term 'Digital Prototyping.  While not very new and exciting to those in the 21st century, Autodesk none the less must have decided that this term was long over due for a comeback!  Hey, I heard square wheels will someday be all the rage again!  Maybe I should coin it "Uncircular Transportation"?

All in all the friendly competition between Solidworks and Autodesk is fun.  Each year Solidworks hosts their annual user conference, and each year Autodesk tries to see just how many cab signs and billboards it can buy in the same city.  Each year Autodesk releases it's new version of Autocad, and each year, Solidworks Gives It Away for Free.

So it's all in good fun right?  It should be, besides, how else would Richard get more traffic to his blog:

(Screen shot from the above referenced blog site)

Rethinking Dr. Don Norman

Last week when I wrote about the keynote speakers, I gave a broad overview.  Since then I have done some research, and found some interesting tidbits of information about Dr. Don Norman.  In the video below they describe what he is about, and exactly what is meant by "Emotional Design" (no Matt, you wont need any tissues!).  I found his thought process very intriguing.  His approach is that it's OK to have to read a manual or receive instruction on how to use a product the first time.  If you have to do it a second time, then the part was designed wrong.  We all encounter one problem he raises quite frequently, and that has to do with how lots of designers spend to much time in a lab, and not in the real world.  If you have 5 minutes, take a look at this video, and decide for yourself:

YouTube Video

Dr. Norman's Biography Web Site

Did you know Dr. Norman served on a group investigating the 3-Mile Island accident?  He mentions that the design of the control room was perfect to create the disaster it did.  Knobs and switches placed in no particular importance, unmarked switches, and no ligical grouping of similar switches.  And what engineer you know also has a psycology degree?  His approach to design seems to be a logical one, and he spends his time trying to pass that along to others.  He also talks about a stove.  You have four burners in a rectangular pattern, but the knobs are in a straight line.  Wouldnt it be logical to pattern the knobs in the same way as the burners?  So he takes a very simplistic look at design, and tries to make things better.