{"id":58981,"date":"2025-11-17T08:00:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T13:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/?p=58981"},"modified":"2025-11-13T16:42:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T21:42:50","slug":"slugme-x-and-the-birth-of-frank-the-dinosaur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/2025\/11\/slugme-x-and-the-birth-of-frank-the-dinosaur.html","title":{"rendered":"SLUGME X and the Birth of \u201cFrank\u201d the Dinosaur"},"content":{"rendered":"

SLUGME X: The Biggest SOLIDWORKS User Group Event Yet, and the Birth of \u201cFrank\u201d the Dinosaur<\/strong><\/p>\n

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SOLIDWORKS Largest User Group Meeting Ever (SLUGME)<\/strong> just celebrated its 10th anniversary<\/strong>, and the team went bigger, bolder, and more creative than ever before. Known for combining engineering skill, community energy, and a touch of maker magic, SLUGME X<\/strong> delivered an unforgettable experience centered around an ambitious project: building a full-scale dinosaur<\/strong>, affectionately named Frank<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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This milestone event brought together the global SOLIDWORKS community to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and creativity in design. From concept to construction, SLUGME X showcased what\u2019s possible when passionate users, talented designers, and cutting-edge tools unite around a shared idea.<\/p>\n

What Is SLUGME?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the uninitiated, SLUGME<\/strong> stands for SOLIDWORKS Largest User Group Meeting Ever<\/em>, a worldwide event that connects thousands of users through live broadcasts, hands-on builds, and community-driven design challenges. Hosted by community leaders Todd Blacksher<\/strong>, Eric Beatty<\/strong>, and Dan Wagner<\/strong>, the series celebrates how SOLIDWORKS users learn from each other, share best practices, and push the boundaries of design.<\/p>\n

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Over the years, SLUGME has evolved from virtual meetups into a full-scale production featuring physical builds, charitable projects, and incredible design reveals. SLUGME X marked a decade of creativity with its most ambitious project yet.<\/p>\n

Meet \u201cFrank\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This year\u2019s theme revolved around creating something massive, memorable, and uniquely SOLIDWORKS: a life-size dinosaur<\/strong> built entirely using SOLIDWORKS<\/strong>, xShape<\/strong>, and xDesign<\/strong> on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Designers Jason Pohl<\/strong> and Gian Calise<\/strong> led the creative charge, taking viewers inside the design journey. From early sketches of alligator couches and dragon concepts to the final form of \u201cFrank\u201d that came to life through collaboration, 3D modeling, and serious engineering.<\/p>\n

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Using tools like 3D Lean<\/strong> for brainstorming, xShape<\/strong> for Sub-D modeling, and xDesign<\/strong> for assembly and structure, the team demonstrated how SOLIDWORKS tools seamlessly supported both creative design and technical precision. They didn\u2019t stop at the screen either\u2026real welding, 3D printing, and painting brought Frank into the physical world.<\/p>\n

Collaboration Across the SOLIDWORKS Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

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SLUGME X wasn\u2019t just about the final build, it was about teamwork and community<\/strong>. Creators, engineers, and SOLIDWORKS Champions from across the world joined forces, including members from Our Next Make<\/strong>, 3DPRINTUK<\/strong>, and GoEngineer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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The entire event highlighted how collaboration, both virtual and hands-on, remains at the heart of the SOLIDWORKS community.<\/p>\n

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More Than Just a Show – A Movement<\/strong><\/p>\n

With over 13,000 users<\/strong> now connected through SWUGN.org<\/a>, there\u2019s never been a better time to get involved. Whether you\u2019re attending 3DEXPERIENCE World<\/strong>, joining a local user group<\/strong>, or exploring the Makers version of SOLIDWORKS<\/strong>, the SWUGN community welcomes anyone ready to build, learn, and share.<\/p>\n

Ready to See Frank in Action?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve read the story\u2026now watch it come to life<\/strong>.
\nJoin the SOLIDWORKS community and experience the energy, creativity, and sheer fun of SLUGME X.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa5 Watch SLUGME X on YouTube now:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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