SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 359 - Equationomics

Equationomics:

This podcast covers the new equation editor and new implementation introduced in SolidWorks 2012.  I talk about the new UI, new features introduced and how to get the most out of the re- implementation of equations.  Topics covered:

- New equation UI

- Overview of equation/dimension/list view

- Automatic rebuild and solve order

- Improved usability of external equation files

- Adding equation on the fly from the Modify dialog

- Naming dimensions on the fly

- Various tips and tricks to get the most out of equations

Currently I am 2 weeks into SolidWorks Rollout season at DDi and have done 5 events showing off the new features of SolidWorks 2012.  Although this release has a few things that are getting a lot of coverage and are new features, the stuff that really gets people excited are the little things.

SolidWorks 2012, in my opinion, is about the little enhancements.  There are so many little enhancements that make this release one that I have enjoyed using more and showing to users alike.  It is releases that address the enhancement requests and fine tune functionality that is used every time we use SolidWorks that begins to gain user confidence they are listening.

Equations, for me, is an example of how to add a few new features but take all the existing functionality and make it work better.  If you are a long time user of equations in SolidWorks, you are in for a treat, and if you don't use equations much, you will start!  ~Lou

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

SolidWorks:Heard! - Episode 276 - Direct Editing Tools

Direct Editing Tools:

This podcast covers the "Direct Editing" toolbar and other editing tools in SolidWorks 2010 including Instant3D and FeatureWorks.  Topics covered:

- The SolidWorks "Direct Editing" implementation

- Move Face and FilletXpert tools

- Instant3D and associated tools (Sketches, Features, Assemblies)

- Live Sectioning and modificaiton

- FeatureWorks 

With the release of SolidWorks 2010, the appearance of the new Direct Editing toolbar made it's debut but contained no new features.  With SolidWorks being a history based modeler, it was probably their way of highlighting their hybrid (history based/direct editing) editing tools.

Even though all the tools have been in SolidWorks for a while, there are a few that warrant their place in this toolbar, others, not so much.  Underlying technologies, like Instant3D, remove the overhead of the history tree when performing model edits.

So, the Direct Editing toolbar, marketing checkbox or worthy toolset? I think there is truth in both statements! ~Lou

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