Richard Doyle's Community Blog

Wrapping Up the 2011 SWUGN Technical Summits

Just a couple of hours from now I'll be standing in front of a room full of people, talking about SolidWorks User Groups, SolidWorks World, and the SWUGN Summit - Tampa.

The 2011 SWUGN Technical Summits were very successful.  We started the year in Birmingham, England, and made stops in Phoenix, Kansas City, Boise, Minneapolis, Detroit, Nashville, Las Vegas, and now Tampa.  The Minneapolis event set a record for attendance with 184 people, and we had more than 100 people in Nashville and Kansas City.  The first ever event in Detroit attracted 98 SolidWorks users.

The SWUGN Technical Summits wouldn't be possible without the presenters, and SolidWorks users stepped up this year in big numbers.  Thanks to the following people for their contributions:

Dan Loader, Kevin Clouden, Adam Hartles, Graham Bloom, Jon Doyle, Neil Cooke, Jerome Marget, Anna Wood, Doug Landers, Dave Zamora, Phil Sluder, Devon Sowell, Lou Gallo, Patrick Rainsberry, Sal Lama, Mike Puckett, Wayne Tiffany, Charles Culp, Ed Eaton, Lynnette Sabatka, Brian Reel, Adrian Fanjoy, Darrel Lampley, Idris Trainer, Jeff Osman, Ryan Okelberry, Blake Young, Norm Nguyen, Dan Aalbers, Ryan McCain, Matt Morgan, Mike Spens, Reza Tabatabai, Greg Jankowski, Jenn Oster, Dan Podzimek, Tim Gorski, Amos Avery, Rob Jensen, Brian Lindahl, Chris Narveson, Dan Bovinich, Jason Raak, Mike Garvelink, Micheal Beem, Ken LaVictor, Darin Grosser, Lars Christensen, Jeff Cope, Avelino Rochino, Elton Smith, Ricky Jordan, Gary Hall, Brian McElyea, Steve Uptain, Rustin Webster, Jeremy Clark, Nicole Walden, Brad Williamson, Lyle Fisher, John Milbery, Toby Robinson, Randall Bock, Aaron Magnin, Keri Prasky, Casey Gorman, Keith Huber, Dan Wilson, Carl Scheible, Steve Brown, and Mark Lyons.

The 2012 SWUGN Technical Summit schedule is being developed now, and we'll annonce all of the 2012 cities at SolidWorks World 2012.

The SWUGN Summit at SolidWorks World

In 2000, roughly 30 SolidWorks user group leaders met for a roundtable discussion with SolidWorks folks and the members of the newly created SNUG (now SWUGN) committee.  The purpose of the meeting was to bring together user group leaders to discuss plans for SNUG, to outline the support being offered by SolidWorks Corporation, and to simply get to know each other a little.  We sat in chairs in a big circle, but by the time we finished going around the room introducing ourselves, time had run out for any meaningful dialog.

These days the SWUGN Summit is a little more structured and organized, but the purpose is still the same.  Some 75 - 120 user group leaders from around the world attend each year, and it's a great opportunity for them to speak face-to-face with fellow group leaders, to learn about how other SolidWorks user groups are doing, and to hear from some really special guests.

The SWUGN Summit is not just for SolidWorks user group leaders.  Anyone interested in forming a user group should absolutely be there, and SolidWorks users interested in learning more about local chapters worldwide are encouraged to attend.  We have some interesting presentations scheduled, and there's always a surprise guest or two.

The 13th Annual SWUGN Summit meeting will be held at SolidWorks World 2012 on Monday, February 13th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.  We'd be happy to see you there.

SolidWorks World - These Folks Present. A Lot.

Since SolidWorks World 2006 (Las Vegas), there have been approximately 1070 user technical sessions presented at SolidWorks World conferences - an average of 214 per event.  Every year brings new presenters and topics, but every year also brings back SolidWorks World veteran presenters.

NOTE: I'll use terms like "all-time" and "highest score ever", but my data only goes back to 2006. This is just for fun.

The Workhorses
It will come as no surprise to regular SolidWorks World attendees that Sal Lama of DS SolidWorks is the all-time leader in the number of presentations with 18, followed closely by Craig Therrien (DS SolidWorks) with 17, and Mark Biasotti (DS SolidWorks) and Marlon Banta (DS SolidWorks) with 16 each. 

SolidWorks users that are prolific presenters include Jerry Winters (VB CAD) with 15, and Rob Rodriguez (Axis CAD) with 14.

Special Note - Phil Sluder has presented at every SolidWorks World conference (sometimes twice), and would probably be close to the top of the list if I had better data).

SolidWorks reseller reps step up frequently as well, and Josh Altergott (CATI) leads the pack with 9 sessions.  Adrian Fanjoy (CATI) is next with 8, and Randy Simmons (3DVision) been at the podium 7 times.

The Experts
SolidWorks World presenters are held to a high standard, and each session is evaluated by the attendees.  An average score of 4.00 (out of 5.00) is the threshold that determines if a presenter will be invited back the following year.  Here are some of the top sessions and presenters from year's past.

Highest Rated Session Ever
Rob Rodriguez takes the honor with an overall score of 4.84 for his SolidWorks World 2011 session - PhotoView 360, Instant Images (hands-on).

Mark Biasotti comes in a very close second (4.80) with his SolidWorks World 2011 session - SolidWorks Clinic, Is the Doctor In? (he had a lot of help with this session - it was a panel of experts), and David "Woody" Woodruff (Design Dreams, LLC) rounds out the top 3 with his SolidWorks World 2010 session - The Other Project BUB, Part 2 - Land Speed Racing Designs for Bonneville.

All-Time Ratings
What would a post like this be if it didn't include some "Top 10's", right?  Here are the top 10 sessions of all-time (sessions in red will be presented at SolidWorks World 2012, asterisks *** denotes a presenter that will be presenting a different topic).

1. PhotoView 360, Instant Images (hands-on) - Rob Rodriguez, Axis CAD (2011)
2. SolidWorks Clinic, Is the Doctor In? - Mark Biasotti, DS SolidWorks (2011)
3. The Other Project BUB, Part 2 - Land Speed Racing Designs for Bonneville - "Woody" Woodruff, Design Dreams, LLC (2010) ***
4. Rip-n-Stitch, Surfacing Repairs for Solid Models - Keith Pederson, CAPINC (2010)
5. Creating SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Add-ins, From Napkin to Distribution - Jerry Winters, VB CAD (2011) ***
6. Integrated CAM, What it Means for Designers, Engineers, and Programmers - Anthony Graves, HSMWorks (2010)
7. Exporting Information from Intralink into SolidWorks Enterprise PDM - Kevin Schmitt, Inflow Technology (2010)
8. Using 2D Analysis to Conquer Complex Problems - Omar Zohni, DS SolidWorks (2011) ***
9. Electrical Mechanical Workflow with SolidWorks and E3.WireWorks - Patrick Hackney, E3.WireWorks (2010)
10. 7 Habits of Higly Effective SolidWorks Users - Jason Pancoast, CAPINC (2009)

One more Top 10 - the highest averages, 2 or more sessions minimum (the overall average for all presenters is 4.10).

1. David "Woody" Woodruff - Design Dreams, LLC (4.53)
2. Marie Planchard - DS SolidWorks (4.52) ***
3. Sal Lama - DS SolidWorks (4.47)
4. Marlon Banta - DS SolidWorks (4.46)
5. Joe Rowsey - Joe's CAD Co. (4.46)
6. Jerry Winters - VB CAD (4.46)
7. Keith Pedersen, CAPINC (4.44)
8. Matthew Derov - DS SolidWorks (4.43)
9. Tim Paris - ModernTech (4.42)
10. Ed Eaton - DiMonte Group (4.41)

As you can see (in red), 7 of the top 10 presenters will be in San Diego in 2012 (Marie will be there as well, but her crazy schedule doesn't leave much time for technical sessions). 

Check out all of the sessions and presenters by heading over to the SolidWorks World 2012 site, then make sure you see some of these terrific sessions and speakers.  You'll be happy that you did.

SolidWorks World - Sometimes it's About the Fun

Up at 6:00am, and off to breakfast at 7:00am.  Join the herd at the doors, rush in with the crowd, and sit down for the 8:30am to 10:00am general session.  You get a short break before heading to the first block of technical sessions at 10:30am before lunch sneeks up on you at 12:00pm.  Phone home, check your email, and eat a nice lunch, then move along to the afternoon technical sessions until 6:00pm.

Quite a day, huh?  It's a typical weekday at SolidWorks World - 11 straight hours.  You'll do this for 2-1/2 days you know. Tell that to your co-workers back at the office when they mention the word "boondoggle".

I'll let you in on a little secret though, there's plenty of fun to be had at SolidWorks World.  It starts off with the Sunday evening reception in the Partner Pavilion.  100+ exhibitors, the Product Showcase, food and drink, and a few thousand SolidWorks enthusiasts all getting ready for three days of work by winding down just a little.  You can hang out with SolidWorks employees and SWUGN representatives in the SolidWorks booth. get a peek at new products in the Partner Theater, or just wander around the food stations.  It's casual on Sunday evening - the real work starts the next morning.

Monday evening offers up another reception (casual of course), but if you're a CSWP, Monday night is - the CSWP Offsite Event.  The certification team at SolidWorks is made up of guys that love to party, and they never disappoint at this event.  There will be food, drinks, prizes, and a whopping good time this year.

When it come to fun, the pièce de résistance is the Tuesday evening offsite event.  Imagine drving cars down a 1/4 mile drag strip (Las Vegas, 2004), or roaming free through the Animal Kingdom (Orlando, 2009). We've been treated to an indoor bull riding event (San Antonio, 2011) as well as a sushi buffet, live music and an oxygen bar (Las Vegas, 2002).  Maybe the most popular event ever will be repeated in 2012 when we return to the Gaslamp District of San Diego.  Unlimited food and drinks at clubs and restaurants, live music, and the occasional surprise await you right across the street from the convention center.

If all of this sounds tiring, it is.  My advice to you though is to go full steam for 3-1/2 days and don't look back.  You can catch up on your rest when you get back to work.

Here's a shot of 1000 (or so) engineers rockin' the house in San Antonio last year.

 

SolidWorks World - It's All About the Technical Sessions

At least that's what the boss will hear..

It's true though, the number one reason people attend SolidWorks World is for the training.  There will be more than 200 technical sessions to choose from in San Diego, and the list of presenters is impressive to say the least.  Some of the best from year's past will be there, as well as a crop of SolidWorks World "rookies".  There are nearly 70 SolidWorks user presentations scheduled, and 85+ sessions will feature SolidWorks employees.  The remaining sessions will be presented by SolidWorks Resellers and SolidWorks Partners (don't worry, we insist on technical sessions, NOT sales pitches).

Two "rookies" of note are Chris Narveson and Lars Christenson.  I've seen both of their sessions and I highly recommend them, both from a content standpoint as well as the fact that both are outstanding speakers. 

Evaluating Component Cost Reduction Options Using SolidWorks Simulation
Chris Narveson, Cardiovascular Systems
Monday, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Dumb Solids - Make Them Your Friend in SolidWorks
Lars Christenson, CADimensions
Monday, 2:45pm - 3:45pm

As for the veteran's, we've made every attempt to make sure that schedule conflicts have been kept to a minimum.  So if you want to see Ed, Mark, Wayne, Marlon, and Rob - you should be able to do so.

As for me, I'll be reprising my "No Red Pencil Required" session.  The last time I did this session (in 2009), there were more than 85 people in the room.  Who'd of thunk?

No Red Pencil Required - Using the SolidWorks Design Checker
Richard Doyle, DS SolidWorks
Wednesday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

I'll be highlighting more sessions and more speakers over the next two months. In the meantime, head over to the SolidWorks World website and take a look at the agenda.  I'm sure you'll find a lot of really great sessions to attend.