Solidworks 2009 Rolls On....

This week has seen a few announcements regarding Solidworks 2009.  For starters, the Pre-Release 2 version was  posted for download in the download section of the customer portal.  Both 32 and 64 bit versions are available.  Typically Pre-Release 2 is the last release before Service Pack 0, so the release time line of late September, early October looks to still be on track.  Combine that with the VAR's starting their roll-out events the first week of October, and the time line looks even more solid.

The recently released new product from Solidworks, Photo View 360, also has moved from Beta, to Pre-Release 1.  PV360 will be available to Solidworks Premium, and Solidworks Professional licenses, as well as some legacy products like Solidworks Office and stand alone PhotoWorks.  The PV360 is no longer a separate download, and is supposed to automatically download depending on your serial number, but it didn't get downloaded with my Solidworks Premium serial number.  Another SW blogger experienced the same issue, so I'm going to blame the Installation manager, but this is still technically a 'beta' version, so I'm not expecting perfection until Service Pack 0.

There is also a nifty new website Solidworks recently launched to promote Solidworks 2009.  You can access all the cool videos, and product info by visiting this Link.

To wrap up all the feeling of newness, the Solidworks Website has an all new look and feel to it.