What’s New in 3DEXPERIENCE Design Roles 2021
The browser-based design and engineering capabilities on the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform have been recently updated with the R2021x FD04 release on January 23, 2021. You may not have noticed it, because all updates to our cloud-based portfolio of products happen automatically. The power and flexibility these applications are worth considering as part of your product development toolbelt.
Let’s take a closer look at what is new in the January 2021 update.
Faster Creation and Updates to Assemblies
The Feature Driven Component Pattern leverages feature patterns in parts to drive component patterns in assemblies. If the number of instances in the feature pattern updates, so does the component pattern in the assembly. This enables fast updates to assemblies (without all the rework) because you can automatically link feature and component patterns or holes for more robust parametric models.
Re-import Newer 3D CAD Files
If you have newer versions of previously imported SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, Solid Edge, and Inventor files, you can reimport them—both part and assembly files. Any downstream features or mates applied to the imported model are maintained. Now you can work with suppliers or with imported parts from other CAD systems without waiting for the latest version, safe in the knowledge that any previous work can be easily updated.
Quickly Access & Change your Mates
Mates applied to components can now be viewed and accessed via Breadcrumbs, along with the ability to view mate status. This creates a more productive environment for making changes to component mates in an assembly and less time spent navigating the assembly structure.
Minimize Search Time
The new app landing pages now show your most recently accessed content, and it can be opened with a single tap. Increase productivity and reduce time searching for your data by quickly accessing all your latest designs directly from the landing page. Content can also be dragged from the landing page into other apps to complete your projects quickly and efficiently.
Improved Zoom Levels
When using standard views, zoom to fit, or the view cube, there is now a more efficient use of screen space, which makes it easier to work with your design to get your job done faster.
Drag and Drop Content from 3DDrive
Now it is easier than ever to get started with a whole range of 3D file formats with fewer steps. You can drag and drop files into the xDesign app in 3D Creator, the xShape app in 3D Sculptor, the xSheetMetal app in 3D SheetMetal Creator, and the xFrame app in 3D Structure Creator to import them. Even non-native content in 3DDrive can be imported with drag and drop. Or you can simply use the “Open With” selection to trigger the import.
Blend Between Disconnected Edges
Create a blended surface between edges of a continuous but open contour. The new blend option allows you to close and blend rather than simply extend the edge of the surface. The new surface extrusion options allow you to quickly fill gaps and create surfaces that are smooth and natural as if the gap never existed.
Drag and Drop Components from Design to Other 3DEXPERIENCE apps
Drag and drop designs into 3DPlay, Bookmark Editor, Collaborative Lifecycle, and other apps directly from your design environment, which automatically opens them in the app, saving time and effort.
Drag and Drop Component Structure Changes
Structure your assemblies on the fly with drag and drop restructuring and hierarchy changes. Restructure assemblies by dragging and dropping components from one assembly to another, top level to sub assembly, and vice versa. Components can be easily arranged to create new top level and sub level structures.
Additional Sketch Snaps and Behavior Enhancements
Now it is faster and easier to sketch the appropriate forms with the right design intent the first time, which means you spend less time adding relations separately. Here are the additional options for snapping and automatic relations in sketching:
- Line tangent or coincident to arc centers
- Line parallel and perpendicular to other lines
Chain Select and Box Select Dimensions
Faster and more intelligent selections of multiple items are now possible when: 1) selecting a chain of sketch entities and 2) selecting multiple dimensions at the same time.
New View Filter for Sketch Constraints
When working with complex sketches it is often useful to see all relations at the same time. Previously you had to select sketch entities to see the relations. Now you can quickly show and hide all sketch constraints as needed.
Common xApp Preferences
It is easier to maintain consistency and preserve your favorite settings across all your SOLIDWORKS web-based apps with the new centralized common xApp preferences.
Design Assistant – Mate Helper
New machine learning capabilities enable you to automatically insert additional instances of duplicate components. Maximize your efficiency and reduce redundant time spent installing duplicate components, such as fasteners. The new Design Assistant Mate Helper automatically inserts multiple instances of components into your assembly. The Mate Helper automatically recognizes and suggests locations to replicate components.
Parametric Primitives
Now 3D primitive shapes can be snapped together and edited with downstream features updating as expected. This streamlines the modeling of prismatic parts, which is ideal for concept design, setting up a Design Study for Design Guidance, and more.
Create a Blended Surface Between Edges of a Continuous but Open Contour
New surface extrusion options allow you to quickly fill gaps and create surfaces that are smooth and natural as if the gap never existed. Now you can close and blend rather than simply extend the edge of the surface.
Undo Available Outside Sub-D Environment
Undo now works even after confirming and exiting the subdivision modeling environment, which provides more flexibility and increased confidence in knowing that you can Undo any action, even after leaving the subdivision environment.
Always Connected
The pressure is always on to deliver faster and at a lower cost. With product development teams spread out geographically now more than ever, companies need additional tools to bring products to market faster and more efficiently.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform makes it easy to work with people inside and outside your company, including customers, suppliers, and manufacturers. You can simplify your communication workflow and improve productivity since everyone works from a common platform.
And because data management is built-in, you not only have design data audit trails but also communication audit trails all in one, easy to access location.
If you have more questions about this release, please contact your local reseller.