SOLIDWORKS 2012
SolidWorks Defeature: How to Increase the Performance of Imported Parts
One tool that I think gets overlooked for it abilities is the Defeature tool, which was introduced in SolidWorks 2011 and has the ability to remove details from part or assembly files. Where I find this tool especially useful is
... ContinuedClean Up Your SolidWorks Drawings With Auto Arrange Dimensions
One of my favorite enhancements to drawings over the past couple of years has got to be Auto Arrange Dimensions. This might be as close as you get to an ‘easy’ button in drawings…
... ContinuedSolidWorks Configuration Publisher: Taking File Configuration to the Next Level
If you have a part or assembly file and it has configurable properties SolidWorks has many possibilities to be able to create those different versions of your file. You can start simple with a few simple configurations, from there you
... ContinuedThe Importance of Material Properties in Analysis with SolidWorks Simulation
Have you ever considered the importance of Material Properties to your Finite Element solution? What about the accuracy of the data provided by material vendors? As Designers and Engineers, we are used to dealing with tolerances….What will happen to the Finite Element solution if one material property varies?
... ContinuedHide vs. Suppressed in SolidWorks Assemblies
Hiding and Suppressing parts in SolidWorks assemblies can have similar looking results, but both operations behave quite differently from each other. At the time this article is written, SolidWorks 2012 has several capabilities of both Hide and Suppress, and even
... ContinuedCreating DXF Files In SolidWorks
3D (-1) (Exporting 2D DXF files) We design in a 3D world, but many parts are manufactured from flat sheet. The flat pattern of a sheet metal part and flat plates used in weldments are examples. Laser and waterjet cutters
... ContinuedAn engineer—and SOLIDWORKS Plastics—on the beach
A couple of weeks ago I spent a very pleasant week down in Fort Lauderdale, and while enjoying a drink with far too many bits of fruit and umbrellas for me to be completely comfortable, I found myself looking over
... ContinuedStudents get a career advantage with the new SolidWorks Education Edition for 2012-2013
It's that time of year. The weather is getting warmer, the trees are green again, and we're announcing the newest version of our SolidWorks Education Edition for the 2012-2013 calendar year. The new Education Edition is based on SolidWorks Premium
... ContinuedDirect Editing in SolidWorks with the Move Face command
Sometimes we need to make a simple adjustment on an imported part. Perhaps, for example, we need to change the diameter of a hole. The current diameter of 3.52mm needs to become 3.72mm; also, the hole has draft that needs
... ContinuedSimulating The Repair Of Sports Injuries with SolidWorks Simulation
We're all used to hearing about footballers and other professional athletes damaging their cruciate ligament or suffering some other tendon injury. I remember being told once that they can repair this by cutting away more of the damaged tendon, and
... ContinuedTips for Using Enterprise PDM’s Label Function
Remember that kid that was always picked last to be on the kickball team? I think SolidWorks Enterprise’s Label function was that kid. What good is it? I have seen it used three different ways…
... ContinuedSolidWorks “Freeze” Saves You Time
New in Solidworks 2012 is a tool that allows you to take charge of your models and give you time back in your busy schedule. How many of us work with import bodies, large data sets, or complex models? We
... ContinuedSolidWorks Indent: One Tool with Unlimited Uses
One of the SolidWorks tools that I think gets overlooked for the unlimited number of possible uses is the Indent feature. Below are 3 different examples of how I have found that the tool can be used on an everyday
... ContinuedLearn about Bills of Materials and Tables in the SolidWorks Demo Library
If you're new to SolidWorks, or thinking about moving from a 2D CAD tool, one of the things you'll appreciate is how easy it is to document your assemblies and components with bills of materials (BOMs) and automatic ballooning. To
... ContinuedSolidWorks in 2012 – The CEO’s perspective
The first general session of SolidWorks World 2012 just ended a little while ago, and I wanted to take this opportunity to share some thoughts with those of you who could not attend. The SolidWorks community has grown a lot
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