SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 403 - SolidWorks 2013 Sneak Peak

SolidWorks 2013 Sneak Peak:

This podcast covers a few sneak peak features slated for the new SolidWorks 2013 release due out on September 10, 2012.  For the past couple of weeks, SolidWorks has been leaking out a few tidbits to get the the momentum moving for the launch next month.  Topics covered:​

- Referencing center of mass in drawings and assemblies​

- Automatic routing along existing geometry​

- Autodimension while sketching​

- Insert multiple components in assemblies​

Although most of the sneak peaks thus far​ have been additions to existing functionality, they do add that little "rounding of the edges" that we all like to see.  I enjoy more enhancements to existing functionality than new features so for me these were nice to see.  That is not to say that we won't see plenty of new functionality, especially since they debuted two brand new products in Plastics and Electrical.

It is interesting that the ship times seems to be around the same time but the trends in path to FCS (First Customer Ship) seem to be different than in past.  Many of you might remember the days of 3 to 4 betas and then 2 pre-releases before we saw the final bits.​ Another trend is happening with me... I am doing less and less beta testing since I am too busy to simply dig in and find bugs, although I do miss finding the easter eggs...

I will be curious to see at what point Windows 8 will be supported since this is not my only operating system even though it has only hit RTM (Release To Manufacturing).  I vaguely remember that when Windows7 shipped it was not till the first major SP that support came.  Thus far I have not found any issues but an official stamp would be nice to see sooner than later!  ~Lou​

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​Direct Download

​**UPDATE**  I mention in the cast that the bits would be shipping on 9/10/12 when it is just the launch date when the embargo of beta will be lifted and everyone can talk about it.  It has not been said when the exact date of FCS (first customer ship) will be....

SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 376 - SWW12 Aftermath

SWW12 Aftermath:

This podcast covers the release of the February Support Montly FAQ as well as the aftermath reactions from SolidWorks World 2012 around the 2013 backwards compatibility and SolidWorks V6 platform (or lack there of) around the web.  Topics covered:

- SW Monthly Support FAQ

- 2013 to 2012 SP5 Backwards compatibility (sort of but not)

- 2012 SP5 access to visual and configuration data (cool)

- No translation or re-export (nice)

- No editing in 2012 |-(

- RickyJordan, RockSolidPerspective, Rob Rodriguez thoughts...

- SolidWorks V6 platform

- Reactions from Blogs

- DezignStuff - Matt Lombard

- Axis Blog - Rob Rodriguez

- CAD Insider - Roopinder Tara

- World CAD Access - Ralph Grabowski (in comments)

Although this year's SolidWorks World was a good time, it is interesting what pops up in the news a week or so after.  Since the Press group gets these exclusive sessions where questions can be asked, sometimes that results in some good nuggets that are withheld from the main stage.

This year it is mainly around the pseudo backwards compatibility that was show for SolidWorks 2013 and the lack of news about the future platform of SolidWorks illusively named SolidWorks V6.  Whether it is a platform for many "SolidWorks" branded products or the 3D modeler we saw on stage in 2010 in Anaheim, the public heard one sentenance by Bertrand Sicot in the first general session, "...we will debut the new platform next year...".

One thing is clear, the desktop version of SolidWorks as we know it today will remain the same as a parasolid-centric desktop tool and the V6 platform will be cloud-based and on the V6 kernel.  Although the press did get some further clarity on these topics, the details stop there and we will have to sit tight to hear details when SolidWorks is ready to talk. ~Lou

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SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 375 - February Tech News & SWW12 Rundown

February Tech News & SWW12 Rundown:

This podcast covers the SolidWorks and CAD-related tech news that broke since mid-January covering the SolidWorks Blog, various tech alerts and a recap of SolidWorks World 2012. Topics covered:

SolidWorks Blog:

- Dassault Systemes acquires Netvibes

- Many posts on SolidWorks World 2012 

Tech Alerts:

- 3DVIA Composer V62012x is available for download

- SolidWorks 2012 SP2 is available for download

- Toolbox 2012 Upgrade Instructions when managed in EPDM (S-058099)

- SolidWorks Enterprise PDM 2012 SP2 is available for download

- Important fix (part of SW2012 SP2) for missing entities in part/assembly FeatureManager (S-058181)

SolidWorks World 2012 Roundup:

- Day 1:

- Kickoff by Bertrand Sicot

- Speaker:  Mike Rowe, Dirty Jobs -  "Engineers are the space between white and blue color"

- Bernard Charles interviews Maia Hoeberechts from Project Neptune, digital underwater observatory

-  Speaker: Tony Fadell, CEO of nest - "We don't crowd source the start of a design, we use it to fine tune. In design we trust our GUT!"

- CSWP Event at the Midway

- Day 2:

- Fielder Hiss announces the CSWP event will now be the CSWE event

- Richard Doyle announces the SWUGN awards

- Speaker: Geoff & Mike Howe, Howe & Howe - "If we shake on a program, it gets done or we die!"

- Fielder announces Beta Contest Winners

- Speaker: Ben Kaufman, CEO of Quirky - "Invention is a reflex, we are born with it!"

- Day 3:

- Fielder Hiss thanks Dell for their Platium Sponsorship

- Mark Schneider announces Model Mania Contest winners

- Fielder talks about the Green Design Contest winner, Russell Donovan

- Marie Planchard talks about the 1.25M EDU seats and the 2.5M experienced students per year

- Marie interviews Bruno Maisonnier, CEO of Aldebaran Robotics, makers of the NAO robot

- Top 10 List

- "Back to the Feature" - Skit to reveal SolidWorks 2013 sneak peek

- Bertrand Sicot announces SWW13 - Swan & Dolphin Hotel, Walt Disney Resort, Orlando, Florida January 20-23, 2013

Wow what a week! This year was my 11th SolidWorks World in a row and the great speakers, awesome breakouts and perfect venue made SWW12 a very successful event. This year I found myself struggling to pick breakout sessions since there were so many that I wanted to go on that were at the same time!  This happens a lot but it allows you to leave one that is not going well and still catch another one in process to make up for it.

Overall the week was filled with great speakers, although it is pretty hard to beat last year's keynote by the Apollo 13 guys but I think this was a good runner-up! I thought the topics inspired design and engineering and the events and conference location were one of the best I can remember.  Although only a mention of the elusive "SolidWorks V6" did not take the stage this year, it was commented to be shown in the summer of 2013, per Bertrand Sicot on Day 1.

Since the tech news show and the culmination of SolidWorks World hit on the same weekend, this cast is a bit longer but I wanted to combine the two since they are related.  

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