What’s New 3DEXPERIENCE Works Design Roles: November Update
The R2022xGA 3DEXPERIENCE® Works release of browser-based design and engineering capabilities is now available. All updates and enhancements to our cloud-based portfolio of solutions happen automatically. The power and flexibility of these applications are significant and can become an essential part of your product development strategy. Let’s take a closer look at the enhancements. (Check out the What’s New 3DEXPERIENCE Works Design Roles November 2021 updates video.)
Thread Command [New!]
No more modeling a helix and then doing a sweep to create threads with this new “super feature” for creating threads. The thread command is capable of either 3D thread creation or annotation-based cosmetic thread and can be toggled back and forth at any time. Create fully detailed designs more quickly with a purpose-built feature for thread creation.
Additive Manufacturing Checks [Enhanced!]
Digital models always look great when they are finished, but sometimes you need to scale down your model before printing which can lead to features being too small for the resolution of the printer. This new range of 3D printing checks ensures that your designs can be built successfully on your printer. Check for undesirable features such as thin walls, small gaps, overhangs, and fully enclosed cavities. Save time and materials by reducing 3D print build failures by checking that designs are suitable before sending them to print.
Hole Alignment Check [New!]
Find holes that don’t match up. A simple but important design-for-manufacture feature ensures designs are fit for assembly and identifies any misaligned holes to eliminate costly downstream delays. When two parts with holes need to match up, the hole alignment check validates that holes are aligned and fit for assembly. Reduce errors during the assembly process by validating fitness for manufacture in the design stage.
Measuring Tool [Enhanced!]
We have revamped the measure tool for more functionality and added colors at various levels for increased clarity. Also, the flags are bigger and better positioned. In addition, custom settings allow you to take measurements that are different from your system settings without changing the model’s original unit settings. Spend less time trying to take and understand measurements, be more productive, and reduce issues during manufacture.
Flexible Sub-assemblies [New!]
If a part moves freely at the subassembly level, now it can be set to also move freely at the top level. You can validate assembly mechanisms from the top level assembly by unlocking the degrees of freedom in sub-assemblies. Save time and reduce manufacturing issues by validating complex mechanisms with life-like realism.
Shortcut Rings [New!]
Power users love Mouse Gestures in SOLIDWORKS. In 3DEXPERIENCE Works, Shortcut Rings are similar in that they streamline the workflows for activating features—this saves a ton of mouse travel, meaning you can focus on the task and not hunting for buttons. The Rings host the most commonly used commands in that particular mode or app, and appear when you click/hold your right mouse button and drag, but you can also use them on touch devices. This enables you to use a mouse or touch gesture as a shortcut to execute commands quickly, similar to a keyboard shortcut.
User Profile for Mouse Navigation in 3D [New!]
A new section in the User Profile now controls mouse navigation preferences centrally, for all 3D apps. Consistent mouse behavior helps increase efficiency and productivity in all 3DEXPERIENCE Works apps.
Sketch and Feature Equations for Sheet Metal [New!]
Sketch and feature equations now drive modeling parameters for sheet metal features. If you change a dimension in a sketch or a feature that it is related to, the entire model automatically updates based on the equations you program in. This allows you to build in your design intent, and it is great for quick iterations or variations of different parts. Fully utilize the power of parametric modeling with the ability to create mathematical relationships between parameters to drive model geometry.
Design Tree Icons [New!]
Now it is easy to distinguish between parts and subassemblies within the design tree with new icons, which streamlines the review process. Quickly identify sub components and assemblies within the design manager with new icon identifiers.
Subdivision Surface Diagnostics [New!]
Sometimes pushing and pulling geometry creates twisting. The subdivision (Sub-D) surface diagnostics feature highlights intersecting areas of the Sub-D control cage (You can toggle to highlight cage, surface, or cage and surface).
An intersecting control cage can lead to problems once the Sub-D surface is converted to NURBS and used in downstream operations. This new diagnostic tool helps you to create smoother, more aesthetically pleasing and manufacturable products. Plus, it eliminates the frustration of figuring out where the subdivision cage mesh is self-intersecting, which is especially challenging on complex models.
Loft Feature [Enhanced!]
Now you can quickly create smooth, curve continuous (C2) transitions between any other existing model geometry and Sub-D geometry. The loft feature is parametric, making it fast and easy to investigate design alternatives, which can help speed designs to production.
Parting Surface Extension Direction Control [Enhanced!]
Creating an automated Parting Surface has been possible for a while; however, control of how that surface would extend away from the model was limited, which can ultimately impact manufacturability. That’s why the new manual extension/direction control options are so important.
You can control Parting Surface extension direction relative to a coordinate system or smooth rough areas in your Parting Surface by automatically blending between adjacent faces. Plus, you can control Parting Surface extension direction relative to model geometry such as planes and sketch curves. There is also an extra level of control on the surface, allowing you to override the alignment in the dialog for any seam edge along the Parting Surface.
Speed the creation of Parting Surfaces with less manual surface creation to achieve higher quality molds that are easier to machine.
Color Classification for Mold Faces [New!]
When a manufacturer receives a mold, they want to know what kind of machining is needed on all the various mold faces. This new feature interrogates the mold and colors the various faces depending on their role in the design. The color classifications guide the machinist to quickly see how to best machine each area based on its color.
Coloring of faces in a 3D model has become a way that mold makers communicate to manufacturing which faces of the model will touch plastic, which are shutoff faces, and which are exterior faces that touch nothing. We are excited to help mold makers by clearly and automatically communicating critical manufacturing information about the mold via colors.
Intersection-based Structure Member [New!]
Create a reference plane member by specifying a start and end plane, axis plane(s), and location plane(s). Plane intersections automatically create a member, which reduces sketching requirements. Improve productivity when creating complex shape structures with intersection-based structure members. This command is particularly useful for creating multilevel structure systems.
Secondary Member Between Two Other Members [New!]
Now you have a very visual way of creating a member. Create a secondary member between two other members by selecting a member pair. Specify the distance from the end points of the existing member, or specify an intersection plane to fully define the member. Now you can create structure systems faster with the ability to define a secondary member between two other members.
Point-based Structure Member [New!]
Spend less time sketching and more time designing. Create a structure member by selecting a start point and then specify either a distance, end point, or end plane. Click and drag the on-screen manipulator to quickly define the length of the member. Increase your productivity with point-based members.
Define a Custom Plate Profile based on a 2D Sketch [New!]
Save time creating cutouts and ensure proper hole alignment by propagating holes to structure members when placing the plates in the structure system. Design plates in context of the assembly and reuse a plate anywhere else in the design. Experience design flexibility by creating custom plates and reuse them anywhere in the design. Save time and ensure proper hole alignment by propagating holes from plates to structure members.
Update 3D Annotations Automatically [New!]
When the geometry says one thing and the 3D annotation says another, finger-pointing begins. What do you trust? Now, 3D annotations automatically update per upstream geometry changes. This ensures definition accuracy to inform key manufacturing decisions. Annotations update from the design model to the annotation.
Speed Sketch Dimension Entry and PartSupply
Instead of having to complete a secondary step, now you can just start typing to automatically set the dimensions in a sketch. Also, thousands of supplier models are now instantly available via a simple drag and drop from 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace PartSupply to fully detail your designs.
Always Connected
There is unrelenting pressure to deliver faster and at lower cost. With product development teams spread out geographically now more than ever, companies need additional tools to bring products to market quicker 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 because everyone works from a common platform. And, because data management is built-in, you have design data audit trails and communication audit trails all in one easy-to-access location.
If you have more questions about how this release can improve your productivity, please contact your local reseller. Check out the What’s New 3DEXPERIENCE Works Design Roles November 2022 updates video below.