Mike Puckett's Blog

Off To The Islands...

Well I am heading out for some vacation.  I'm heading to Oahu for 7 days of sun, and diving.  I have never been, so this should be a good time.  But not to worry for those that like to read Solidworks tidbits from here.  I have a few posts (about 5) created and scheduled to post on a timely schedule!  My official first day back is the 26th which seems so far away, but I'm sure it will be here before I know!

Anyhow, I will post some pictures from time to time.  Aloha!

SW 2008 SP 1.0 & A New Download Center...

For those that are in the Early Visability program, Service Pack 1.0 for Solidworks 2008 32 & 64 bit Vista and XP Pro is available for download. 

While there check out the new look download center.  It has a much improved layout that makes it more clean and easy to navigate.

Of course, the download center and EV program is available to subscription customers only.  They can be accessed through the customer portal on Solidworks.com, or through the task pane inside Solidworks.

Update: Solidworks 2008 Drawing Backrounds...

Last week I wrote about the custom backrounds in Solidworks 2008 drawings.  Well its has gone one step further now!  In a follow up post, the Solid Smack blog has posted some actual backround files to choose from.  Head on over, Josh even gives you more information about creating your own.  Could we see a trend where users can visit a site to choose from tons of custom made backronds?  Why not, who said 3DCAD cant be fun?

I Wish I Could Just Show You...

How many times have you said that when trying to explain a computer issue over the phone?  Well there is a very nifty utility out there to help you out.

I recently ran across this thread over at Solidmentor.  To help diagnose the problem, it was suggested that the user visit the Jing Project site.  The site provides a free video screen capture utility.  This allows you to record your actions, and then to upload that video file to their site if you wish.  You can then share that video with whoever you need to.  There you have it, they can now see what you see!

Why You Should Attend Solidworks World 2008 Reason 12: User Group Summit

The Solidworks User Group Network is a worldwide network composed of well over 125 Solidworks User Groups.  Each group is headed by at least one hard working individual, and sometimes supported by members in smaller roles.  As thanks for helping to organize meetings, and all the other hard work they do, the group leaders are given a complimentary pass into Solidworks World. 

While there they are 'asked' to attend the User Group Summit.  The summit started out as a means for all the leaders to gather to discuss group issues, and to get a report from the regional reps as well as from Richard Doyle who is the Solidworks User Group Manager.  The past two I have attended have been that, and also more.  More and more users are attending to see what a user group is all about.  So the summit is turning into part showcase for the other attendees.

If you do decide to attend the summit, you can almost always be assured of a special guest attending (John McEleney has stopped by the past two years).  There are also the participating partner, and VAR of the year awards, and also the User Group leader of the year.

The summit is a great event to sit in a room with what are basically Solidworks fanatics that don't get paid to do what they do.  So because of that you can get exposure to some really informative people.  If you want to attend, the 9th annual summit will take place on Monday from 4:30-6:00, and hopefully the long winded regional reports will be kept to a minimum!

2008 Drawing Backrounds...

In Solidworks 2008, the drawing back rounds have been changed.  Users are now shown what appears to be a crinkly paper back round.  Now while the back round doesn't bother me one bit, some may find the change a bit beyond their liking.  So in the spirit of trying to keep as many people happy as possible here is a way to change it.

Here is a shot of the new look.  You can see the back round has the paper look

Now if you want to change it, here is what you do:

If all you want to do is get rid of the paper look, its just a setting in the options.  Go to Tools > Options > Color and check the box shown in the picture.  That will get rid of the crinkly back round I'm sure lots of people are going to be bent out of shape about.

Now if you are the type of person that likes to customize everything, you can change that crinkly look, and replace it with something of your own.  Navigate to your solidworks install directory, then look for this sub-directory:

\Solidworks\data\Images\drawings\sheetbackground1.bmp

You will want to replace the sheetbackround1.bmp with your own bitmap file.

So there you have it, a quick and easy way to feel more like your in 2007 inside 2008.  Thanks to the guys over at Solid Mentor for giving me the file location.  For the record, I like the new back round.  Change can be fun too!

Where Do I Get Help???

Back in 1998-1999 when I was first discovering what a Solidworks was, there wasn't much information out there.  My savior at the time was the Planchard and Planchard books I bought off Amazon.  As fun as the flashlight was to create, I always wished I could find more information.  At that time, Solidworks wasn't as popular as it is now, so the education resources we not as plentiful as they are today.

One of the main reasons for starting the Los Angeles user group was to give an avenue to those that find themselves in the position I was.  I want to be able to help them find the resources they need to learn Solidworks and to join the community of users.  Today, it's much easier then it was then.

I could list um teen sources for you to go check out, but there is one in particular that has potential to become one of the best.  Solid Mentor is an on line Solidworks Forum.  With just over 500 members, the community there is starting to grow.  So what is an on line forum?

On line forums are a throwback of sorts to the old bulletin board days of the Internet.  Imagine having a question about Solidworks.  You write down your question and pin it to a cork board.  Sometime soon, someone comes along, and pins a reply to your question.  Pretty soon, another person comes along and adds their advice too.  This is what an on line forum can do for you.  Furthermore, these forums are moderated and monitored to keep content on topic, and to keep the riff-raff out, unlike certain Google groups out there.  This site in particular is moderated by some very big names in the Solidworks Industry.  Whats more, you will find that even Solidworks developers and employees chime in to answer questions. 

I currently visit and post to about 4 or 5 forums daily.  From them I have been able to repair my motorcycle, add third party applications to my iPhone, complete complicated network tasks, and update the navigation maps on my Pioneer Navigation Unit.

The Internet is a vast source of information.  It's true when it's said you can find anything on the Internet.  Solidmentor offers a unique source for for those looking to get some answers.  I encourage everyone to head over and join today.  Look through the solid forum, and see if you can help someone with a problem you solved.

Why You Should Attend Solidworks World 2008 Reason 13: CSWP Event

Each year at Solidworks World all CSWP's in attendance are treated to some special stuff.  T-shirts, books, special badges, and an off site event all to them self's name a few.  Last years event was held at a local bar called The Foundry.  The theme was Casino Night.  Lots of Vegas style gaming tables were set up, and everyone was given a set amount of chips to try to be the high roller by the end of the night.  Delicious food, and a fully stocked open bar made the night complete.

Next years event is shaping up to be as good if not better.  In 2008 CSWP's will be treated to a trip to one of San Diegos hot spots.  Nicknamed The Royal Palace of Youth Culture, The Wave House in San Diego is sure to be a hit with attendees.  The Wave House sits on a pristine stretch of historic Mission Beach and features multiple bars, and wave surfing simulators.  Knowing how the certification team like to treat their guests as best as they can, the 2008 event is sure to be a memorable one.

What is a surfing simulator?  Take a look at this picture:

This is a screen shot taken yesterday afternoon from the live webcam at The Wave House.  Look like fun?  Somehow I get the feeling there will be plenty of wipeouts on that night if this thing is going!

Attending Solidworks World as a CSWP sets you apart from all the other in attendance.  So if you are going, make sure to stop by the CSWP booth in the partner pavilion to sign up to join us all at the Wave House.  Don't forget to bring a swim suit!

Solidworks 2008 Instalation Notes:

Well just two days after receiving our disc's in the mail, I went ahead and installed it on my station to start using it on new products.  Here are a couple of notes for those getting ready to install:

1. Transfer your license in 2007 before uninstalling it.  I uninstalled all 2007 products before installing 2008.  During the un-install of SW 2007, SW cautioned me that I should transfer my current license back before continuing the removal of 2007.  I had to exit the un-install, go into SW 2007, click Help then Transfer Licenses.  That checked my current license back into the SW server.  Upon activating SW 2008, I was able to grab that license.
2. The Disc you get is 0.0 Service Pack.  The current Service Pack level for SW 2008 is 0.1  which you can download and install once installation of 2008 is complete.  The file is 48 meg, and should self install with the installation manager, but I didn't have much luck.  It kept wanting to download 971mb of files from SW.  I went the old school way and cancelled out of the instalation manager, and downloaded the file seperatly.

Basically it looks as if the instalation manager wants to download every single update possible.  But what doesnt make sense is that for some of the products, it wants to download a file thats bigger than the original instalation file?