SolidWorks Enterprise PDM has a little hidden gem in it’s license settings called “Automatic Log Off” that alters how it handles licensing when users reach the limit.  Licensing in EPDM is built on the premise of  ”Concurrent Login”, similar to that of the SolidWorks Network License (SNL).  A license is consumed by the user only when prompted to log in, or, in the case of auto-login, the first time that user navigates to the local vault view.

Returning a license or logging out, on the other hand, is a manual process performed either by going into offline mode or by logging off the active vault from the Windows System Tray.  Either way, this proposes a potiential issue when new users want to enter the license pool when all the licenses are consumed.

How to enable “Automatic Log Off”:

• Navigate to the “License” node of the specific vault’s tree in the Administration tool, Open.
• In the “Set License” dialog box, click the “Automatic Log Off” button in the lower left corner.
• Check the box “Log off users automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Once this automatic log off is enabled, the license pool will follow these rules:

1. Users that are “inactive” for a duration longer than 30 minutes will be marked and can be bumped into an off-line state only if a new user requests a license. (without this enabled, a new user would be turned away).
2. Inactive users that are bumped off the license will be placed in a table in the master database named “LoggedOutUsers” and will continue to stay there will a license is free.
3. An inactive user will be logged back into the system if they were bumped to the “LoggedOutUsers” table if a free license is once again available.

Enabling automatic log out adds some flexibility to the license pool and can be a nice solution for those users who forget to log out before they head off on vacation! 

Reference the What’s New SolidWorks 2012 pdf for more details on this new functionality for 2012.

In addition you can get a list of several of your last commands by right-clicking in an empty area of the graphics window and hovering over the “Recent Commands” entry as seen in the above image.

- Import Formats
- Direct Editing Tools
- Advanced Techniques
- Best Practice

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This webcast covers many techniques to manage, automate, and most importantly master using custom file properties in SolidWorks.
- Custom file properties (part or assembly level and configuration specific)
- Property Tab Builder
- Linked properties on drawings
- Dynamic Properties that update with dimension changes
- Title Block Tables
- SolidWorks Task Scheduler
- Enterprise PDM and 3DVIA Composer

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1. Log into the Enterprise PDM Administration application.
2. Right click over the user or group to customize and select ‘Settings’.
3. Select ‘Menu’ from the Settings dialog.
4. Scroll through the list of ‘Available Commands’ and find ‘Update References…’.
5. Change the ‘Designation Menu’ setting to ‘File Right Click’.
6. Select the ‘+’ button to add the command to the list.
7. Use the up or down arrows to poistion the command in the desired location in the file right click menu.

To copy a menu customizations between users:

1. Select the ‘Settings’ > ‘Menu’ option for the target user or group.
2. Select the ‘Copy…’ button and then select which menu settings to copy from another user.

It’s important to note that you’re pulling the settings information from one user into another users account.

Reference the ‘What’s New SolidWorks 2012′ PDF for more details in this new functionality for 2012.

To temporarily disable the snapping hold the ALT key while you drag the dimension or annotation.  As soon as you release the ALT key the snapping behavior is re-enabled and behaves as normal.

For those that would rather permanently disable this behavior you can do this by navigating to  Tools, Options, System Options, Drawings and toggle the option called “Disable note/dimension inference”.

To improve the import processing time of these files you should pay close attention to the import options and clear the “Add Constraints” check box.  This will prevent SolidWorks from adding relations to the sketch entities such as horzontal, vertical, concentric and so on.

If you attempt to move any of the entities in the sketch after importing the file, a warning message pops up that indicates ‘Automatic Solve Mode’ is off.  This Specifies whether SolidWorks should automatically do the computation to solve the sketch geometry of your part as you create it.

In order to make this sketch more manageable you can use the ‘Make Block’ command to combine sketch entities together into a group.  This prevents SolidWorks from calculating the sketch entities and their relations.

In this example over 4500 sketch entities can be reduced to 1 block by using the ‘Make Block’ command found under the Tools > Blocks pull down menu.  Once you have created your block(s) to simplify your sketch you can turn Automatic Solve back on from the Tools > Sketch Settings pull down menu.  Creating blocks in a sketch is similar to breaking a large assembly into multiple subassemblies in terms of performance.

Many times the output of a sheet metal flat pattern is oriented as it was modeled versus being oriented in a way that would lend itself to being cut for manufacturing. The DXF / DWG output can be aligned to any orthogonal model edge and the origin can be placed on any vertex.

To do this:

1. Right click on the Flat Pattern feature and select ‘Export to DXF/DWG’.
2. Provide a file name and location to save the resulting file.
3. Find the ‘Output Alignment’ setting and select any vertex or leave blank to use the existing model origin for the DXF file origin.
4. Select an orthogonal edge for the X or Y axis reference.
5. Use the ‘Reverse’ option to toggle the reference direction as needed.

1. Click the arc.
2. Click the two endpoints of the arc.
3. Then click to place the dimension.

The default settings for the Modify Dimension dialog box has its Spin Box Increments set to 0.100 inches or 10.00 mm. This means that every time you click the up or down arrows or use the thumb wheel the value increments accordingly. You can change the increment defaults in Tools, Options, System Options, Spin Box Increments to more closer match your needs based on the typical size of your designs.

The Gap Control setting within the Knit Surface feature is automatically enabled by default. This setting analyzes the selected surfaces for gaps within the prescribed range. The limit for gaps that can be found ranges from .0001mm to 1mm but Gap Control can only close gaps less than 0.1mm.  Prior to SolidWorks 2010 this gap tolerance was larger but it was found that the assumptions being made during the knit feature sometimes removed the design intent from the model or created instability in the models surfaces. Gaps larger than this tolerance value will need to be patched with other surfacing tools.

Once the gaps are identified you can right click on each gap that was found to be within the defined range and select ‘Zoom to Selection’ to locate the gap to review it before accepting the command. You can also modify the knitting tolerance to match the highlighted gap through the right click menu. This allows you to knit gaps below a given value but still show larger gaps between the values from the range settings. If you do not want the software to automatically knit across one of the gaps simply uncheck it from the list.

If your intent is to create a solid body using the Knit Surface feature then once all of the gaps are closed and the surface model is found to be “water tight” the check box for ‘Try to form solid’ becomes available for you to enable.

The part exploded view functionality works similar to the assembly level exploded view functionality. You access it by navigating to desired configuration in the ConfigurationManager and right-clicking on it. From there you create exploded steps as normal by dragging the appropriate bodies or using the tools in the PropertyManager.

One thing to keep in mind is the ability to modify the part model is prohibited while in its exploded state. In fact you will notice that while in the exploded state you cannot access any command within the CommandManager. To regain full part functionality simply collapse the model. One final note is that you can’t animate the explode/collapse like you can in an assembly.

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To use a mouse gesture, just hold down right click and drag the mouse in the direction of the command that’s wanted to be used.
Customize and navigating to the “Mouse Gestures” tab. Make sure the “Enable mouse gestures” checkbox is toggled on. Once enabled SolidWorks defaults to 4 mouse gestures but 8 mouse gestures can be selected using the radio buttons at the top right of the dialog box. To easily see what mouse gestures are currently assigned, select the box labeled “Show only commands with mouse gestures assigned”.

Navigate to the row of the command to be used and click in the column that corresponds to where it is to be used. Then select the position of the mouse gesture from the pull-down menu. The columns Part, Assembly, Drawing and Sketch correspond to which direction you should right-click drag in each mode. The list of gestures can also be filtered by using the category pull down menu or the search for box in the upper left hand corner. Once your happy with your choices simply click ok and your new mouse gestures are ready to use.

- CircuitWorks
- SolidWorks Routing
- Import/Export

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Anytime SolidWorks does not shut down properly, “Crash”, it doesn’t have the ability to store all of it’s setting correctly. Over time this will cause the set of registry keys, which we call your “SolidWorks User Profile”, to go bad and cause undesired effect in SolidWorks.

This “SolidWorks User Profile” stores everything from you accepting the license agreement, where your toolbars are located, the file locations and system options, along with many other items that are uniquely your settings in SolidWorks.

To reset the “SolidWorks User Profile” all you need to do is rename or delete single folder (Key) in the registry, SolidWorks will recreate a new one next time you start it. We always recommend renaming the key so that if needed, you can bring the key back. And backing up the registry if required.

Follow these steps:
1) Close SolidWorks and any SolidWorks products (i.e. eDrawings, SW explorer)
2) Open the Windows Registry Editor (XP: Start > run and type “regedit”, click ok) (Win7: Start type” regedit”, click on regedit.exe or hit enter to run)
3) navigate to: “HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Solidworks”
4) Rename the registry folder (Key) “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Solidworks” (in this way every trace of the previously installation will be removed)
TIP: Rename the file and put the date at the end of the SolidWorks key so that it reads “SolidWorks 02022012″ or just put “SolidWorks Old”
5) start SolidWorks. The install with act as if its a brand new install.

By starting SolidWorks up it creates a new “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Solidworks”   registry key

If you ever need to bring back your old settings. delete or rename the new “SolidWorks” key and take the copy that you renamed above and change it back to “SolidWorks” with out the date or “Old”

When in doubt or you are uncertain don’t rename or delete any registry keys.

- Enterprise PDM
- Workgroup PDM
- Toolbox

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- Simulation
- Flow Simulation
- Motion

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- Sheet Metal
- Weldments
- Drawings

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- Sketching
- Features
- Parts

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- Assembly Features
- Large Assembly Design Review
- Configurations
- Equation Manager

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- General Enhancements
- User Interface
- Fundamentals
- Installation & Administration

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-Editing and compiling custom post processors
-Using the Universal Post Generator
-The EC Editor

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- How to get a full download of Solidworks
- Creating install logs
- Activation
- Total (clean) uninstall

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SolidWorks introduced the Configuration Publisher in SolidWorks 2010. This utility allows users to create Design Table driven configurations that create the configurations on-demand. The lack of pre-existing configurations reduces the file size until a configuration is generated through user-designed menus.

Requirements:

• SolidWorks 2010 or newer.

• A part or assembly file with a Design Table and at least one configuration.

• A Configuration Publisher PropertyManager feature.

You do not need to define a specific configuration for every possible size; just establish the parameter in the Design Table and establish the acceptable value ranges within the Configuration Publisher user interface.

Tips:

• Give each dimension a meaningful name by selecting the dimension and
  giving the dimension a name in the PropertyManager (e.g. use Length@Extrude1 vs. the default D1@Extrude1)

• Reference the SolidWorks Help file for the proper syntax for controlling properties through a Design Table.

• Use ‘Show Feature Dimensions‘ from the FeatureManagers Annotations folder.

• Turn Dimension Names on through the View pull down menu to toggle dimension name visibility. Alternately toggle the Dimension Names on through the Heads-up toolbar.

• All dimensions controlled by a Design Table will be assigned a magenta color by default.

To create the Configuration Publisher feature:

• Select the ConfigurationManager tab on the FeatureManager.
• Right click the top item on the ConfigurationManager list and select ‘Configuration Publisher…‘ to open the ConfigurationPublisher designer.
• Create a form for users to define the parameters for the configuration.
• Use a ‘List’ control to define a list of possible values for the designated model dimension. (see images below)
• Use a second ‘List’ control that relies upon the first control to present the user with a list of predefined options. (see images below)
• Use a ‘Number’ control to allow input ranges that are acceptable for the model. The example shown allows for extrude lengths from 0.50 to 6.00 in 0.10 increments. (see images below)
• Use ‘Checkbox’ control to control suppression states.
• Other options include linking List control values to Design Table cell ranges (tip: know the ranges before getting into the Configuration Publisher UI)

• Reference the ‘SW Preview’ tab to preview the interface as it will appear in SolidWorks.

• The ’3DCC Preview’ tab shows what the interface would look like should the model be uploaded to 3D Content Central for distribution to other SolidWorks users worldwide.

When the part or assembly file is inserted into an assembly file the user will be presented with the interface to choose their desired configuration options.

• If a configuration meets the defined criteria it will be instanced in the assembly.
• If an existing configuration does not meet the criteria a new configuration will be created.

In this way a part or assembly file can be given a great deal of flexibility at design time while maintaining a smaller file size until a given configuration is required.

Webinar #1 How to Create Manufacturing Instructions, Part 1 – This webcast describes the creation of Manufacturing Instructions using SolidWorks data.

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If you’re just loading SolidWorks most of these will load for you automatically , but if the program is not working correctly then it might be worth going through this list one by one and uninstall and then reinstall.

To uninstall you go into Control Panel and then “add-remove programs” or with Vista or Windows 7 “programs and features”

Just a simple internet search on any number of search engine (google, yahoo) will take you to Microsoft’s website to download and so that you can reinstall.

Solution Id: S-043444, S-050236 (www.Solidworks.com - Knowledge base)

Question: What are the pre-requisites that need to be installed to ensure SolidWorks installs and functions properly?

Answer: SolidWorks requires all of the same pre-requisites that SolidWorks 2008 and 2009 did along with one new pre-requisite.

• Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.0 (encompasses .NET Framework 2.0 as well; x64 versions of SolidWorks require both an x86 and x64 version of this; is a core component of Microsoft Vista® and Windows® 7 and does not need to be installed separately on these operating systems)
• MSXML 6.0 Parser (this is automatically installed as part of .NET 3.0)
• MSXML 4.0 SP2
• Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable (x64 versions of SolidWorks require both an x86 and x64 version of this)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable (new to SolidWorks 2010; x64 versions of SolidWorks require both an x86 and x64 version of this)
• Microsoft Visual Studio (VSTA)
• Remote Debugger (x64 only)

The Installation Manager (IM) will install all of these automatically if they are not already installed. (Note: for administrative images that have been created without the Installation Manager, these must be deployed separately before the SolidWorks installation is deployed.)

The executables for these files are included on the SolidWorks 2010 DVD/download except for MSXML 4.0 SP2; this can be downloaded and installed via Windows Update as it is a high priority update for Windows or via:

Some links, current as of date at the top of this Tip – use at your own risk or contact Microsoft.

.net Framework 3.0 (x86 and x64 are half way down the page)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=10CC340B-F857-4A14-83F5-25634C3BF043&displaylang=en

MSXML 4.0 SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=96A4413C-5261-4F69-83D0-932C430ABD14&displaylang=en

Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7287252c-402e-4f72-97a5-e0fd290d4b76&DisplayLang=en
(For Office 2007 office)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C815DFFA-D5F3-4B71-BF46-13721BD44682&displaylang=en

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
(x86) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=32BC1BEE-A3F9-4C13-9C99-220B62A191EE&displaylang=en
(x64) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=EB4EBE2D-33C0-4A47-9DD4-B9A6D7BD44DA&displaylang=en

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable
(x86) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9B2DA534-3E03-4391-8A4D-074B9F2BC1BF&displaylang=en
(x64) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=bd2a6171-e2d6-4230-b809-9a8d7548c1b6&displaylang=en

Microsoft Visual Studio & Remote Debugger (x64)
Install from SolidWorks DVD

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Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP)
CSWP – Sheet Metal
CSWP – Weldments
CSWP – Surfacing
CSWP – Mold Tools
Certified SolidWorks Expert (CSWE)

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Tired of having to remove registry keys and delete directories when your uninstalling? SolidWorks has added a new feature to make this easier.

Note: If you own a seat of SolidWorks Standalone License make sure to transfer the License off first. SolidWorks Help menu > transfer License.  If SolidWorks is a network seat you don’t need to do this step.

On Windows 7 go into Control Panel and then “Uninstall a Program”. (This opens the Programs and Features)  Find SolidWorks in the list and right click over it and uninstall. When the SolidWorks Installation Manger (IM) Comes up, right click over the header of this window and turn on “Total Uninstall (removes all user settings)”. The IM will prompt you to make sure that you are sure that you want to remove everything thing. Then continue with the uninstall like usual.

If your still using Windows XP go in Control Panel and then open “Add/Remove Programs” and the rest is the same.

It’s always a good idea to back any custom items like templates or custom materials before doing an uninstall.

This method removed almost everything except the SolidWorks Serial Number. (Makes it easy if you need to re-install your SN is already there)

• SMG format Change to Unicode Character Encoding
• Improved & Custom Hotspots
• EPS Output
• Advanced Rendering Effects: Ambient Occlusions
• Configurable Compass
• Technical Illustrations and High Resolution Workshops

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• DisplayManager
• Appearances
• Lights
• Scenes
• Decals
• PhotoView 360 Options

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• Routing Library Manager
• Autosize
• Moving & Rotating Fittings
• P&ID
• CircuitWorks UI and Workflow Improvements

• EPDM Installation and Admin
• UI Enhancements
• Admin Features: Collecting Support Info & Aliases
• Expanded Search Capabilites
• 3DVIA Composer Support
• Design Checker Enhancements

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• 2D Simplification Studies
• Response Spectrum Analysis Studies
• Composites
• Interface Imporvements & Reports
• Motion Function Builder

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Fundamentals:

- Pin commonly used files in the Recent Documents dialog (also works for folders and in the File Menu)
- Unit Switcher in the lower right of the status bar.
(Fundamentals from composer):
- Tab key to hide
- Freeze Feature

Sheet Metal:
- Sheet metal flanges has an option “Parallel to base flange” instead of vertex (great for angle changes in the flange)
- Reference the outside tangency to drive flange length stays the same (helps for closed corners)
- Redesigned Forming tools UI for simple placement/flip and utilize configurations.
- Flat Patten feature has a new “Features to Ignore” for unfolding.
- New Swept Flange for complex features and it will flatten.

Dimensions & Equations:
- Placement of diameter dimensions in a sketch will lock into diameter mode.
- New Equation Editor UI showing much more detail including Category, Dimension, Ordered View, and Recent variables used with equations in RED when errors are detected.
- Equation Editor automatically solves equations in the order needed and not by the order entered.
- Equation Editor allows pulldowns of ALL dimensions instead of having to dynamically select from the active model.
- Equation Editor now utilizes the measure tool to create reference dimensions on the fly.

Drawings:
- Exploded views from the View Palette in the Task Pane
- Now can add the exploded view from the Right Click menu or the PropertyManager (no longer in properties and have to then select the check box).
- BOM creation no longer requires pre-selection
- Balloons and be inserted with Auto Balloon and now sequenced (selecting which balloon will be balloon 1 and the sequence will rebuild around the part. BOM will also update)
- Magnet Lines can be used for alignment of annotations like balloons, notes etc. (just like from 3dvia Composer)
- View Labels (like section and detail) will be reused if that sequence is removed. (past would use the next label counter even if the previous was deleted)
- Centermarks can be automatically inserted at any time for an entire view not just on view creation.

3dvia Composer:
- Per pixel lighting (more realistic rendering)
- New Compass helps orient and change the appearances of the model.
- BOM highlighting (like in BOM SVG output) works dynamically on hover.

Evaluation Tools:
- New Costing Tool analyzes the model and determines cost by MFG process involved, setup costs. Tool has a template builder (like property tab builder) and can utilize quantities and other variables to accurately determine model take offs.

Simulation:
- Motion Simulation now supports motion sensors
- Motion also has optimization (these enhancements were the Design Study functions for FEA now in Motion)

Collaboration:
- New File Open option called “Large Design Review”
- LDR is basically Quick View/SpeedPak/Lightweight in one UI.
LDR give great performance while still having the ability to:
- Create or Reuse Walkthroughs
- Zoom and Pan smoothly
- Full interactivity of the FeatureManager Tree
- Use the Section tool
- Open Parts or Sub Assemblies for editing, Save and update the Large Assembly.

Want to test drive it? Make sure you get involved in the SolidWorks Beta program! ~Lou

Here is how to create a more detailed log that will give IT and tech support a fighting chance.

• Dimensions
• Tables
• Drawing Views
• Annotations
• Detailing

• Assembly Features: Fillets, Chamfers, Weld Beads
• Assembly Visualization
• Defeature Tool
• Equations
• SpeedPak

• Mold Design
• Sheet Metal
• Weldments
• Import/Export
• DFMXpress
• FeatureWorks

• Sketching
• Features
• Parts
• Surfacing

The advantages of ‘going 64 bit‘ are numerous. The obvious benefit is the ability to address more memory for a given process. A 32 bit Windows operating system is only capable of addressing around 2GB of RAM for any given process. A 64 bit system can address up to 8TB! Another benefit of 64 bit is that the operating system is capable of seeing more RAM. Many users will put 4GB+ of RAM in a 32 bit Windows system hoping that the extra memory will assist them with large file operations. The reality is that a 32 bit system will only see 3.25 GB of that RAM. Below is a list of each commonly used version of Windows and its memory limit according to Microsoft:

• Windows XP x32 Memory Limit: 4 GB
• Windows XP x64 Memory Limit: 128 GB
• Windows Vista x32 Memory Limit: 4 GB
• Windows Vista x64 Memory Limit: 128 GB
• Windows 7 x32 Memory Limit: 4 GB
• Windows 7 x64 Memory Limit: 192 GB

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx

So what about the benchmark? The customer was having performance issues opening larger files over a network connection so the scope of this test was just the time involved in opening a file. If you’ve used SolidWorks for some time this can often be the time to hold your breath and wait when using an x32 system.  In addition to the operating system change on the test computer they used two different network connection speeds to try to improve performance independently from the workstation.

Generic System Specification:

• Dual Core Intel Core 2 Duo
• 4GB RAM
• nVidia Quadro 3700 video card

Workstation with XP x32 with 100Mb network connection:

File open: 5 minutes 30 seconds

Workstation with XP x32 with 1Gb network connection:

File open: 5 minutes 30 seconds

Workstation with Windows 7 x64 with 100Mb network connection:

File open: 2 minutes 30 seconds

Workstation with Windows 7 x64 with 1Gb network connection:

File open: 0 minutes 55 seconds

It can be deduced that the improved network connection had little effect on the ability to quickly open files with the Windows XP x32 workstation. Without digging into the operations with ProcMon or some other monitoring utility it could be assumed that the issue was a bottleneck occurred due to a lack of RAM on the system. This is something x64 can solve with little effort aside from reloading the operating system (presuming the hardware in question supports 64 bit).

We always strive to help users with performance while in technical support. It’s becoming clear that a 64 bit platform is the direction users really need to go when evaluating new CAD workstations or contemplating a mid-life upgrade for existing hardware.

• Milling and Drilling
• Lathe
• Sheet Metal
• Injection Molding

• Fundamentals
• User Interface
• Administration/Installation

• Preprocessing/model preparation
• Contact set and Contact set hierarchy
• Fixtures
• Meshing techniques

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• Bill of Materials
• Design Tables
• Title Block Tables
• Hole Tables
• Revision Tables

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- Design Intent
-Model Preparation
- Sensors
- Creation of Design Studies
- In-context modeling strategy

- Serial Numbers
- Templates
- Tasks
- Dispatch

- Using 3DVia Composer to create markers
- Creating Interactive PDFs
- Making Intelligent views
- Inserting linked Memo3D (.smg) files into MS Powerpoint

Assemble your model in a typical fashion. If the required volume information is only for a part file then insert the part file into a new assembly and save the assembly. Since this is essentially a piece of data about the assembly using a Virtual Component is acceptable for the purpose of getting the volume and weight of the internal volume of this example. The virtual component only exists in the assembly file.

Insert a new part into the assembly.

Pick an appropriate face or reference plane from an existing model to start the part.

Model a solid body which is geometrically similar to the internal volume of the assembled components.

The example shown is for a tank that has an outer diameter of 42 inches. The modeled cylinder should also be 42 inches so there are not unnecessary model segments outside the tank. Making sure the modeled volume interferes with the components is important so that the cavity feature (see below) can easily calculate where the internal volume is located.

While still editing the new part, select the Solid Bodies folder of the new part and hide the new solid body. This will make selecting the components of the actual assembly easier. The folder may be set to hidden so adjusting your system settings to ‘Show’ the Solid Bodies folder may be required (Tools > Options > FeatureManager).

Select Insert > Features > Cavity and select the components which need to be removed from the new solid body which represents the internal volume.

Note that if there are gaps in the model or the resulting cavity results in disjointed bodies you will be prompted for which bodies to keep. The feature may also fail due to zero-thickness conditions. This can happen when the geometry modeled takes slip-fits or other manufaturing considerations into account. This requires some creative modeling to get around in some instances. Using surface modeling has been helpful in the past for creating non-planar cutting tools to ‘sculpt’ the internal volume into its desired shape.

Once the Cavity feature has been completed select the body from the Solid Bodies folder and set it to ‘Show’.

Assign a material to the new solid body to make sure the weight is calulated correctly. If the weight is already a known quantity then you can override the calculated value through Tools > Mass Properties. Keep in mind a value that is overridden will not update should the model geometry change.

Many times this internal volume model may not be something that should be shown in a Bill of Materials. To omit the part from a BOM:

Return to editing the assembly
Right click on the new virtual component model
Select ‘Component Properties’
Select ‘Exclude from bill of materials’

- Using SolidWorks automated mold tools
- Creating a mold using multibody modeling
- Using cavity command
- Assembling the mold into a mold base

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- Breakdown of Sustainable Design terminology
- Difference between Sustainability vs SustainabilityXpress
- Workflow
- Troubleshooting

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1 ) Connect network cable to printer if using a direct connect cable. (Orange most of the time)
(If your printer and computer are plugged into the network already then you can skip this step.)

2) Turn on uPrinter or Dimension Printer, let printer get to the Idle screen before proceeding

3) Open CatalystEX program

4) Switch to the “Printer Services” Tab

5) Click on the “Printer History” button 

6) Click on the “Save As” button (bottom right corner)

7) Save txt to an easy to get to user folder (i.e. Desktop, My Documents)

This create a test file that is easily opned with Notepad just by double clicking on it.

Make sure to expand Notepad so that tex wrap is not making it hard to read.

Optional
To make it easier to read do the following:

1) Open MS excel

2) From the File Menu select > Open

3) Change your file type ot Text Files

4) Open the file, it may prompt you to pick formats pick “Delimited” and “Windows (ANSI)”
(Also what type of Delimiter, so only check “Tab”)

This excel version would allow you to get totals and calculations of who and how much using normal Excel functions.
Spacing on the date columns is required other wise you’ll only see the ###

Happy 3D Printing

- Different Motion Solvers
- Creating simple animations
- Using basic motion to simulate physics
- Overview of SolidWorks Motion
- Using Simulation in conjuction with motion studies
- Overview of Event-based Motion

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- Use of Lightweight Mode and general settings
- Selective Opening of assemblies
- Advanced Opening & Simplified Configurations
- Modifying assembly structure & Drawings settings
- Best Practices

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The first one is .slddot which is the document properties and the sheet format (title block) for the first page.

The second one is .slddrt which is the sheet format (title block) for all other pages

Best way to get both set up is to open a drawing get everything the way you want it; including document properties
(“Tools” menu > “Options” > anything on the “Document Properties” Tab)

Make sure to remove any drawing views, Bills of Materials (BOM) from the drawing or anything else that you would not want showing up on every new drawing.

Get the title block the way you want it.
TIP: Right click over a blank spot over the drawing sheet and “Edit Sheet Format”

Make sure to exit the sheet format before saving. (Right clicking again and “edit sheet”)

RECOMENDATION: Create a new folders save in My Documents or on a network folder for all of your sheet formats and drawing templates.  A network folder is good if many people are going to use the same templates. just If need be, have IT create the folder and limit who can change the templates once they are created and saved there.

Making the .slddot
“File” menu > “Save As”
Change save as type to “Drawing Template”
Change to directory where SolidWorks looks for your templates

TIP Check “Tools” menu > “Options” > “System Options” tab > “File Locations” group > show folders for “Document Templates” to set where SolidWorks is currently pointing and change/update if needed.

Name your drawing template with something about size and what is on it and Save

Making the .slddrt
“File” menu > “Save Sheet Format”
Change to directory where SolidWorks looks for your sheet formats

TIP: Check “Tools” menu > “Options” > “System Options” tab > “File Locations” group > show folder for “Sheet Formats” to set where SolidWorks is currently pointing and change/update if needed.

Name your sheet format & save

Now point SolidWorks to the correct directory
“Tools” menu > “Options” > “System Options” tab > “File Locations” group > show folders for “Document Templates” & also for “Sheet Formats”

For further information watch DDi’s SolidWorks Drawings: Foundation webcast video at:
http://webcasts.ddicad.com/index.php?post_id=377170

- DimXpert – ASME14.41 Part Dimensions 
- TolAnalyst – Assembly tolerance stack up analysis
- Quick Creation of Drawings

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1.  Delete any existing dimensions that constrain or are in the way of your new baseline location.

2. Select the zero baseline dimension so it is highlighted in light blue.

3. Drag the SolidWorks handle on the dimension (small blue square) to the new baseline location, indicated with the red vertical line below.

4. A pop-up window will appear that will allow you to confirm the update to the other dimensions.

5.  Confirm by selecting “yes” and this will result in updating the baseline of the dimension set as well as the dimensions at each constrained point based on the new baseline.  As stated before, the same functionality and behavior is exhibited on a drawing file as well.

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- uPrint setup
- Spool and Material Carrier loading
- Machine Menu Navigation
- CatalystEX
- Model Orientation & part quality
- Support Cleaning Apparatus

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