Solidworks 2009 revamps the way that a few of the analysis tools work in the software. Of particular interest is the draft analysis tool. In past releases you were able to perform the analysis, and then exit the tool but no longer have access to the results. Solidworks 2009 moves the draft analysis feature off the tools menu, and places it on the view menu. There may be some confusion as to why, but it makes sense.
The tool itself is now found via: View > Display. Once inside the tool, it functions as normal. Once you click the ok button however, the colors from the draft results, and the numerical query feature is still available. In fact, you can start a sketch, and complete features while still having the draft results present:
Be aware that once you toggle the draft analysis button off, you will have to re-do the analysis to get the results back. Lets hope that in the future this could become a feature of sorts that could be toggled on and off somehow so as to always be available.
Thanks Mike, couldn't find it anywhere thanks to the wildly inaccurate Solidworks help instructions.
Is it me or is Solidworks losing some of its sparkle? Inventor is seeming more appealing by the day especially with the acquisition of Moldflow.
When are Soliworks going to respond by introducing a similiar, dare I say it, better Plastics Simulation add on?
Posted by: Scott Rees | July 15, 2009 at 04:01 AM
Thanks Mike... I was just about to snap my keyboard in frustration! This command was impossible to find thru the help menu.
Pete
Posted by: Pete | February 23, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Thanks Mike! Your blog helped me find this when the Solidworks help documentation was incorrect.
Posted by: Dave | January 27, 2009 at 06:28 PM
"Lets hope that in the future this could become a feature of sorts that could be toggled on and off somehow so as to always be available."
these guys walk on my nerves. are they idiot?
Posted by: CrazyCAD | August 28, 2008 at 01:43 PM