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

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

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.  

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 374 - SolidWorks World App

SolidWorks World App:

This podcast covers the features in the SolidWorks World 2012 app that was launched just last week and some of the interesting features this app provides for attendees of this year's SWW conference. Topics covered:

- SWW2012 App is available on iOS and Andriod

- iOS is a universal app, scaled for the iPad

- Navigating sessions, speakers, floorplans, partner pavilion and more

- Adding sessions to your agenda

- Scanning badges from the QR code tool

- Quick links to Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube

- Dassault Systemes aquires Netvibes and launches a landing page for SWW12

Last year SolidWorks released an iPhone app that was especially built for SWW 2011 giving users the ability to browse sessions and get valuable info about speakers, partners, maps etc of the event.  After 10 years of thumbing through the little conference booklet and trying to determine where I was going next, this app made navigating the conference simple.  Having a lot of detail, especially of the partner pavillion, allowed me to get more out of SWW than previous years.

The issue that many had voiced about the app was the fact it was only on iOS (iPhone) at the time. Considering Android is taking the market by storm, it only makes sense that if SolidWorks is to offer such a great tool that it be available on the lion's share of devices. This year they launched a 2012 version of the app but this time it is available on both iOS and Android and the iOS version is a universal app, giving iPad users full use of the screen real estate.

After navigating around in the app I find that browsing sessions is so easy, especially researching and signing up right from within the app. You can log in with your registration account and see what is is coming up next in your agenda and figure out how to get there.  This makes getting around and gaining the most of the conference much easier. ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 373 - SolidWorks World Coverage

SolidWorks World Coverage:

This podcast is a quick overview of the coverage options that will be offered by SolidWorks:HEARD as well as other active community members that typically post a lot of content.  Topics covered:

Live Coverage on SolidWorks:HEARD!:

- Live Blogs (General Sessions)

- SolidWorks:HEARD! Blog 

- Live Stream (when allowed)

- Breakout notes (posted to the blog and Google+)

- Partner Interviews (air on the podcast)

Twitter:

- Official Hashtag #sww12

- Tips from SWW12 #SWWTips

- @solidworksheard | @gol10dr | @solidworkstips

Facebook:

- SolidWorks:HEaRD page

Google+:

- +SolidWorks:HEARD | +Lou Gallo

Other Blogs:

- SolidSmack | @solidsmack

- RickyJordan | @rickyjordan

- RockSolidPerspective 

- SWGeek | @swgeek

- BoxerBlog | @gupta9665

- More at SolidWorks' site

SolidWorks World is a wild ride and it is going to be busting at the seams with coverage and it's all you can eat!  I leave in less than a week and look forward to bringing as much of the show to you as I humanly can!  If you are attending, I hope to run into you!  Talk to you next from SolidWorks World 2012!

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 369 - SolidWorks World Prep

SolidWorks World Prep:

This podcast covers the steps to get prepared for the biggest CAD conference, mega training, and overall engineer geek fest there is!  Still trying to get there or not going at all? Not a problem. Topics covered:

- What SWW really is.

- How to get the most out of attending (plan, plan, plan)

- Resources and ideas to convince the powers that be to send you.

- What SolidWorks:HEARD! is broadcasting from SWW.

- Other resources to get SWW news and tips.

SolidWorks World is just 5 weeks away and the anticipation for those who have the "green light" on attending this years event it building.  In order to truly get the most out of this crammed-pack event with 185+ sessions and not even close to enough time to see them all is planning.  A lot of planning or else you will show up and be overwhelmed and wonder why you stood in the hall for 3 days with your jaw open!

For those who are still fighting the fight to get to this mega training extravaganza, SolidWorks has a great list of resources for you to help convince your management to send you.  Whether it is videos, podcasts or an old fashion letter, educating management that SWW is not a "trade show" but a "build-your-own" training boot camp by users for users.  Getting that "nugget" or awesome tip to help you out in your industry with your tool of choice can be the difference between joe-user and ROCK STAR!

Understanding not everyone can convince, trick, man handle, cagoule and maim their way to SWW12, I will be live blogging all the general session and posting live notes with Google Docs on sessions that I attend.  When I can, I will be streaming video from the floor and trying to interview some partners.  Go sign up for the live-blog and watch Twitter for hash tag #sww12.  I will also be posting notes to the SolidWorks:HEARD! Google+ page as well. ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD! 

SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 366 - December Tech News

December Tech News:

This podcast covers the SolidWorks and CAD-related tech news that broke since mid-November covering the SolidWorks Blog, various tech alerts and other industry news. Topics covered:

SolidWorks Blog:

- Need a gift? SolidWorks Holiday Gift Guide

- Team Dassault, 10 years of pedaling for cancer research

- SWWC Japan, Bertrand Sicot reporting

- Chin's iOS apps of choice and why

- Top 10 list for SWW12 is open for suggestions

- USS Midway sails into the annual CSWP event

- Let's Go Design team is ready to put this project to bed .... soon

- Intrigue bring a lucky SW user all the way to San Diego from Japan!

Tech Alerts:

- Benchmark your rig and share your score

- Download examples for the SW Part Reviewer (new in 2012)

- SolidWorks EPDM 2012 SP1 is available for download

- Top 10 list is open for business

- Updates to support, forums and resource center 

Well this is the last tech news cast for 2011 and it was a bit of a slow month for tech news but a few good nuggets. This is that time of year where everyone is ready for the year to end and the buzz of the new release has worn off and SolidWorks World is about 2 months out. Next month the news will be ramping up for the big show.

Currently the deal for SolidWorks is $100 off a single registration or the 3 for 2 deal till January 20, 2012.  If you have not yet started planning your attack to convince your boss to go, get on it! This is, hands down, the best way to energize your year and boost your knowledge.  This is not a trade show, it is a training session marathon with a ton of perks.  Visit the SolidWorks World site for help in this convincing process.

The SolidWorks Monthly FAQ for December has not yet been posted so I will cover that next week to relay any good tidbits.  I have a couple of roundtable shows in the works to finish out the year so stay tuned! ~Lou

Remember to check out the SolidWorks: Heard! Blog and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and THE HEaRD!