Richard Doyle's Community Blog

Badges of Honor

As in..."I'm honored to have been there".

SWW Speaker Spotlight - Ricky Jordan

Ricky Jordan has been around the SolidWorks Community for a longtime.  A former reseller AE, and current user group leader, blogger, and Twitterer (I can't believe I just wrote that), Ricky is one of those special SolidWorks users that spends a lot of time helping fellow users.

Ricky's Blogis one of the most popular SolidWorks related sites on the web.  The new layout is fantastic, and the blog is filled with a variety of tips in both text and video format, a gallery that showcases some of his work, and a download area where you can find models and presentations by Ricky.  In short, it's not just a blog, it's a user run support site.

The North Alabama SolidWorks User Group was in peril back in 2004, but Ricky came in and righted the ship.  NASWUG is now a vibrant, well organized, and well attended user group.  The bulk of the credit has to go to Ricky.

Ricky's SolidWorks World presentation sounds very interesting - PCB design utilizing SolidWorks and CircuitWorks.  I'm a former PCB designer myself, and a huge fan of CircuitWorks, so it's a session that's already on my list.  Even if it isn't something you deal with on a regular basis, there's a very good chance you'll learn something about SolidWorks anyway.

If you need any further incentive to attend Ricky's session, here's something that might interest you.  Ricky's wife Christy runs a very popular cooking blog - Southern Plate - and has graciously offered to send along some of her favorite goodies to Orlando.  If you're lucky enough, you might just get some before they're gone.

Custom PCB Design with SolidWorks
Monday, February 9th - 10:30am to 12:00pm

Start Networking Early - Share a Cab to SolidWorks World

In a little more than nine days, thousands of SolidWorks fanatics are going to descend on Orlando International Airport on their way to SolidWorks World.  Many of these folks will get off the plane only to realize that they are still somewhere between 1 to 1.5 hours away from The Swan and Dolphin Resort.

Some folks will have known this ahead of time, and arranged for transportation via one of the many shuttle service that serve the Disney area.  They might also have downloaded coupons to make the ride a little less expensive.  On the other hand, some of these weary travelers will head straight to the taxi stand and plunk down ~$50 for the one way cab ride.

If this sounds like you, I have a suggestion - share a cab.  How you ask?

If you're the kind of person that's comfortable shouting out in the middle of baggage claim - "Hey, anyone going to the Swan and Dolphin that wants to share a cab?" - then that's the easiest way.  If not, there are a couple of other approaches you can take.

Wear or carry some SolidWorks swag - a hat, shirt, backpack (from last year maybe?), or even one of those nifty water bottles you got at the last user group meeting you attended.  Look around for other folks with the same stuff, and make your move...

"Hi, are you a SolidWorks user?"  "Why, yes I am."  "Cool!  Are you heading to the conference?"  Yep - been looking forward to it for a long time.  "Hey, me too!  Want to share a cab?"

Nothing to it.

If approaching strangers in an airport makes you a little uneasy, there is one more way.  Head over to the SolidWorks discussion forums and join in on the "Anybody want to share a cab ride to the hotel from the airport" conversation.  It'll give you the chance to meet (virtually) the person you're going to spend an hour or so with in a car before you actually get there.

It's not just about saving some money, it's part of what SolidWorks World is all about - the netwoking.

If anyone wants to share a ride with me, I arrive Saturday the 7th at 12:10pm.  Look for me...I'll be the guy in baggage claim shouting out "Hey, anyone going to...."

SWW Speaker Spotlight - John "Muggs" Ferguson

It happens sometimes, a confirmed SolidWorks World  speaker has to cancel for one reason or another.  When it occurs, the call goes out to SolidWorks experts to help fill the slot.

One such call this year went out to John "Muggs" Ferguson, a recognized SolidWorks expert and all around good guy.  Muggs offered to fill in and share his knowledge of SolidWorks surfacing with the attendees.

For the record, I've never seen one of Muggs' presentations.  I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to recommend it though.  I have seen his thoughtful responses to surfacing questions on the SolidWorks discussion forums, and I've had the occasion to meet him several times.  I know he is also quite active on other community sites.  When surfacing questions come up, Muggs is one of the first people that SolidWorks users turn to.

This will be Muggs' fourth SolidWorks World conference, and he's learned a lot about planning ahead for the show, and navigating his way around once he's there.  Last year as registration opened, Muggs penned "The SolidWorks World Survival Guide" and has graciously offered to share it with all attendees.  It's a great guide, especially for the first-timer.  You can read and/or download it at the SWUGN website (bottom of the page).  As if the presentation and the Survival Guide weren't enough, Muggs has also recorded a SWW podcast that can be heard here.

Even if you don't get a chance to see Muggs' session, make it a point to meet him at SolidWorks World.  He's a great guy, and fun to be around.

Using Surfaces in the Real World
Monday, February 10th - 4:30pm to 6:00pm

SWW Speaker Spotlight - Wayne Tiffany

The title says it all - SolidWorks Sheet Metal: Why Do I Do It Like This or That?  After you've seen Wayne Tiffany's presentation, chances are good that you'll do it like he does.  Going beyond the traditional, Wayne offers real data behind his methods, relying on his many years of sheet metal experience to show exactly why he does things like he does.

This session was one of the highest rated user presentations at SolidWorks World 2008, and Wayne is a first-class presenter.  A regular at user group meetings and SWUGN Technical Summits, it's not uncommon to see him in the hallway between presentations chatting it up with fellow SolidWorks users.  I wrote a couple of years ago about his dedication to the SolidWorks Community and his passion for sharing his knowledge.

Wayne is a long-time member of the SWUGN Committe, and runs the Kansas City SolidWorks User Group.  With the apparent demise of a certain newsgroup, Wayne has also become a regular contributor to the SolidWorks Discussion Forums.  Clad in his trademark jeans and plaid shirt, he'll be easy to spot at SolidWorks World 2009.  You can catch him at the SWUGN Booth in the exhibit area, at the SWUGN Summit meeting on Monday evening, or even in the hallways of the Swan and Dolphin resort.  Make sure you put Wayne on your list of people to meet.

SolidWorks Sheet Metal: Why Do I Do It Like This or That?
Monday, February 10th - 10:30am to 12:00pm

My NetVibes Page is Getting Crowded

Add another SolidWorks user, user group officer, all around good guy to the SolidWorks BlogSquad.  Go check out Rich Hall's blog.

When Fun Turns into Work

Last August, Charles Culp posted a challenge in the SolidWorks Discussion forums - modeling the Earth.  He got a couple of takers, and ended the challenge declaring James Hutchins the winner of a "completely new, dark blue, small, button up men's SolidWorks shirt".

    (Hmmm..is this the shirt I sent to you Charles?  You were supposed to wear it.)

As it turns out, it's not over yet.  Charles now has a "real" project that requires models of the continents and is looking for some new ideas.  You can check Charles' progress by downloading his work-in-process file posted today (use the link above).

Since Charles has officially ended the challenge, but still needs some ideas, I'll send a "completely new, color and style TBD, you pick the size, SolidWorks shirt" to the person he deems to have the best answer for him.

Any takers?

SWW Speaker Spotlight - Thomas Allsup

Thomas Allsup, one of the principles at Anida Technologies, isn't exactly a householdSolidWorks Community name..outside of Texas that is.  Here in the Lone Star State, especially in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, he's well known - and for good reason.

Thomas has become very active with the North Texas SolidWorks User Group, providing many insightful, educational, and entertaining presentations over the past year or two.  He's even stepped in and lent a hand with logistics and planning - something I know that group leader Christie Buresh appreciates.  For the SWUGN Summit - OKC, not only did Thomas agree to present, he also organized a shuttle to take NTSWUG members the nearly 200 miles from the Metroplex to the event.

Last year was the first SolidWorks World conference that Thomas attended, and he's eager to return - this time as a presenter.  He'll be a huge hit with students and educators at SolidWorks World, presenting in the EDU track on Geometric Tolerancing.  Thomas has classroom experience, and has presented in front of very large groups before.  Something I didn't know until yesterday is that he performed as a Tenor with the Tulsa Opera many years ago (I wonder if the students could get him to sing a note or two?).

Look for Thomas to spend some time hanging out at the SWUGN booth, and I'm sure he'll be at the SWUGN Summit meeting.  Or...take in his session - even seasoned veterans could use a brush-up on GD&T.

How to Spell GD&T
Tuesday, February 10th - 10:30am to 12:00pm

SWW Speaker Spotlight - Rob Rodriguez

Whenever a question about PhotoWorks appears in the SolidWorks discussion forum (or anywhere else for that matter), Rob is usually the first to respond with an answer.  Known worldwide for his monthly PhotoWorks Rendering Contest, Rob also runs the Northern Vermont SolidWorks User Group, is the Eastern US representative for SWUGN, writes a blog, and spends a great deal of his free time presenting on a variety of topics in a variety of places.  A busy guy indeed.

Rob is one of my favorite presenters.  His command of any subject he chooses is obvious, but it's his sense of humor - which could be described as similar to a Martini with a misting of Vermouth..very dry - that makes him a quality speaker.  A great mix of style and substance, you'll be glad you attended any one of Rob's sessions.

After branching out a bit last year with his "So You Want to be a CSWP?" session, Rob's back to his rendering roots with sessions on PhotoWorks and PhotoView 360 (hands-on) this year.  If you haven't already registered for the hands-on session, you might be too late.  The PhotoWorks session will be very popular, get there early.

Instant Images with PhotoView 360
Monday, February 9th - , 2:45pm to 3:45pm

PhotoWorks: Tips, Tricks, and Time-Saving Tidbits
Tuesday, February 10th - 1:30pm to 2:30pm

User Groups Get "Cremed"

I don't often frequent recipe sites, but this one happens to be run by the wife of a user group leader.  I absolutely cracked up when I saw what she wrote about engineers and user groups.

The recipe looks good too.  Read it for yourself here.