Archive for May, 2007

How to boost your productivity immediately

Published
by
Josh
on May 21, 2007
in Working Smarter
. 2 Comments

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boost your productivityThere’s nothing more annoying than some one who is over-productive, smirking at you with his dry, beady eyes, taunting you with his attendance trophies, doing little victory dance’s in your cubicle… Prepare to dance.

Steve Pavlina has come up with 33 way to boost your productivity, then 33 more, and then another 33. I’d say Steve is pretty productive at writing about being productive.

My favorites out of all of them are Continuum (#24 on the first set) and Mini-milestones (# 6 on the first set.) Those two things alone help me get started and keep me going…and then back into procrastinating… and then trying again.

The only thing I would add to it is maybe somthing like Actify or Actionize or some silly word that means organizing and clarifying your actions in order to get to the next step instead of struggling to organize your time, information or priorities. Something pretty cool I read in David Allen’s book Getting Things Done(aff)

Some of Steve’s terms kind of allude to actions. Bottom line though, taking the next action gets things done.

What do you do to stay productive?

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Friday Smackdown

Published
by
Josh
on May 18, 2007
in Smackdown
. 0 Comments

toy machine
Inspiration from Toys - Thomas Parel has a post with some great shots of toy designs. love it!
Improve your photography with classical art - an awesome way to get your photos to look incredible.
DRM-free MP3 - The guys over at Engadget broke the news about Amazon opening DRM-free MP3 music store. This is huge.
Wireless Belkin Network USB Hub - the perfect thing for sharing your USB devices. super cool.
Over 100 Great Productivity Tips - Instigator blog has compiled some great productivity tips from readers.

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What is the future of parametric design?

Published
by
Josh
on May 18, 2007
in Business
. 1 Comment

Matt Lombard always has interesting insight into the nature of design and engineering. It’s exactly one his post that started me thinking again about the future of parametric design. Maybe it’s a cliche and tiring question that everyone has asked, but check this out…

future

Web of Constraint
Right now something is parametric in a model because one thing is associated to another. What if this were more like the connective tissue of between muscle and skin though? Now you have an area or web of constraint. Not like nurbs or NSS, more like a spatially and dimensionally defined envelope of constrainability. I’m not talking about playing with a bunch of points or handles, but capturing an area and constraining things to each other within this area and even overlapping the areas.

Make this line a curve
One of the most annoying things in traditional parametric, sketch-driven, history-based design, is when something that is flat needs to be changed to something that is curved. Doing it requires blowing away all the parametric relations defined by that single line or curve, or giving the curve such a large radius that it looks straight, but then forget about sketching on it. I’m honestly not sure on the best way to do this. Maybe something like an external volume that has rays that intersect the model and ‘sense’ changes in geometry and update the other items in context accordingly while still being defined by a process and controlled by dimensions.

Rays

For the time being
Within the context of feature-based modeling, the best solution is going to be using top down design and closed contour conversion of a carefully chosen entity so you can capture some of the possibilities of change. What does that mean? Putting a lot forethought into your design and still not catching everything that could change but being more ready for it. I’m working on a tutorial to show this and will post it soon.

What would you change in SolidWorks to make it easier to control the way things relate to each other?

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How to Automate Your Dimension in SolidWorks

Published
by
Josh
on May 17, 2007
in SolidWorks Tips
. 3 Comments

solidworks tipsSo, it’s really lame when you have to make sure to update notes and properties that have dimensions entered in manually. Well, there’s a way to grab a dimension property so you can use it in different places. Nice thing is, if the dimension changes you don’t have to remember where you put it to update it.

This would be for cases where you have a dimension referenced in a note, a design table or…even a BOM. Yeah, that got your attention, feel the excitment ’bout BOM’s… Today is a good day.

Here’s how to do it.

  • Open your model in a very loud and excited way!

    • Something you have a BOM for or just create one real quick.

  • Slap a dimension on what you want to reference and make a whip sound with your mouth - whi-pish!!

    • I got a little crazy and picked an edge.

add dimension property in solidworks

  • Add a note and click on the dimension

    • This adds the dimensions name to the note. You can edit the Note Properties to copy the name that is entered. It looks something like this. “RD1@Annotations@your assembly.moAssembly_c”

add dimension property in solidworks

This is it… if you just want to reference the dimension in a note. You can do the same in a drawing. BUT, if you want it in a BOM or design table keep on readin’.

  • Proceed to the nearest Custom Property!

    • This is important, because Custom Properties can be pulled in just about anywhere… BOMs, Drawing Formats, Design Tables, Programs…you get the idea.

    If you’re not using custom properties… well, that is just a shame. But, if you are wise and using them, go to File, Properties. The Summary Information pops up. Select the Custom Tab. where your custom properties are.

  • Click your mouse where you want that crazy dimension to show up

    • And then click with absolute delight on the dimension, just like above where we added it to a note. The dimension name goes into the custom property and you worries are OVER.

add dimension property in solidworks

That’s it! Now go check out your BOM and sit back as you don’t receive anymore calls from your manager saying a dimension was not updated.

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Jeff Han’s Multi-touch latest demo

Published
by
Josh
on May 17, 2007
in Tech to watch
. 0 Comments

I first saw Jeff Han’s mutitouch screen on the TED website. Since then I’ve been keeping an eye out for what that guy is doing. I came across another video of him demo’ing the touchscreen. It looks like they’ve added some functionality since the previous demo.

Imagining this in the context of 3D CAD usibility just opens up all kinds of potential.

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Economic Incentive Will Drive CAD Market

Published
by
Josh
on May 16, 2007
in Business
. 3 Comments

economics ate my 3dI read Matt Lombard’s interview over at NOVEdge and agree with just about everything he said, but I do think there’s more than economics being a reason for the slow transition to 3D. Maybe it’s the industry I’m in, but the main issue in all the companies I’ve seen is the insistency to make SolidWorks work like they’re use to doing things. Come to think of it though, it’s not just my industry I’ve seen this in.

Economics is easy to point at
And it’s a valid argument, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that is what is going to drive a decision to choose 2D over 3D. If you’re hungry you’re gonna find a way to eat. So, what I’m getting at is when it comes down to giving someone something they want, you do what is necessary to provide that. Which if you did apply it to economics, would be more like economic incentive… I wanna get paid…a lot. It’s based more on making money than saving money.

do it or elseMake those drawings look like Autocad or do it in Autocad
Proving cost savings doesn’t seem to make difference when the product (paper) doesn’t work. Think of a time you’ve used a fancy new program, but it didn’t work like you were use to and it took you longer to try doing stuff because you didn’t know how to use it. It was easier to go back to the old way of doing it, than learn it. We all think that way from time to time. For example, I’d rather use SolidWorks over Catia to develop a new car design, even though some of the surfacing components in Catia may be beneficial for me.

Out with the old?
I do think management will start forcing a change though. Why? Well, to answer the question of why it’s taking so long for 3D to replace 2D, I could say, it’s taking a long time for old management to die off, but in actuality, I believe there is going to be such a shift in technology that competition will force the adaptation to 3D technology.

Think of the cartoon industryanime
Yeah, tv cartoons are still using the traditional cel animation process, the Japanese animation market is phenomenal at pushing the envelope in this area, but what is bringing in the bucks at the box office is the demand for 3D animation. Pixar rolled into town and forced giants like Disney and Sony to adapt to the new technology.

Conclusion
To hit this home, I’ll ask a question and hopefully get some response. What if the customer, and I’m talking about the guy buying the exercise machine or the drill or the cubicle wall, got the electronic 3D Illustration or Assembly instructions along with the product. Like an eDrawing or 3D PDF? What affect would this now have on how more companies move to 3D?

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How to create better sketch patterns

Published
by
Josh
on May 15, 2007
in SolidWorks Tips
. 2 Comments

solidworks tipsWhat if you could throw a bunch of dots around the world and replicate yourself wherever they landed? Yeah, imagine that one. Pretty cool. Well, it’s possible. Not so much with you, but with little feature thingies you put in your models. Ok, I feel the disappointment setting in, so chin up little camper, Sketch Patterns can make adding features and components much easier. But there’s an even better way to get the best of the best results.

You could just throw a point out there, but that might be a little…impulsive? Yeah? Ya feel that, throwin’ point compulsion? That’s bad. Summon all that is good in the world and draw A LINE.

Why this is superior to just putting points out there?

  • Keeps the pattern feature from adding extra parts when you use your sketch pattern for a component pattern
  • Shows where the pattern starts from
  • Shows others how the pattern was created
  • Can use the lines (axis) for Library Feature Orientation

When you need create a sketch pattern and keep evil at bay, follow this method:

  1. Start your sketch
  2. Begin with drawing or converting a line with the end point where you want your feature to start from.
  3. Draw or covert another line so you get an axis lookin’ thing like in Figure 1. This is your Sketch Pattern Start Point.

Figure 1
Sketch pattern in SolidWorks
(Click to Enlarge)

Now there’s two ways you can use this:

  • To drive a Feature
  • To drive a Library Feature

If you don’t know what a library feature is, look it up in your SolidWorks help for a full explanation. It’s basically a stored feature you use a lot. Like a Hole. Don’t fall in. but usually it a little more complicated that a hole and you put it in a library so you don’t have to re-create it every time you need to use it.

Now, if you’re using it to drive a regular feature. Put the sketch for your hole or whatever in the same sketch you have your sketch pattern points in. whoa mama. Just see Figure 2. Why do this? Cause this will keep you from having sketches hanging outside of feature in the feature manager tree. How clean and pretty is that.

Figure 2
Sketch pattern in SolidWorks
(Click to Enlarge)

Now take a look at Figure 3. You just use that sketch that is in that Cut Feature to create your pattern.

Figure 3
Sketch pattern in SolidWorks
(Click to Enlarge)

Or, if you want to use it with a Library Feature, exit the sketch you created with the axis and points, drag you Library Feature onto the surface and use that axis you created to locate it.

Now, if you use these for a component pattern, you won’t have to delete the extra instance it creates when you pattern it. Done.

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There’s nothing like a little TechNINlogy

Published
by
Josh
on May 15, 2007
in Rockin' Cool
. 2 Comments

We’ll I said there just might be something about ninjas on this site. You might as well forget about the fancy, schmancy algorithmic based modeling technology coming out. This has the potential of changing everything. Listen as ninja enlightens you on the SUPERIORITY of TechNINlogy.

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5 ways to increase your efficiency by 50%

Published
by
Josh
on May 14, 2007
in Working Smarter
. 7 Comments

scary efficient
Many times I’m showing someone how to do something and there like, “how do you do that so fast? what are you doing?”

I’m being 50% more efficient than you, that’s what I’m doing. Not 48, not 51, but exactly 50% more. Here’s how.

Mouse - automatically move pointer to default button option
This is a kind of obscure and not often used function in windows. It’s in the Control Panel Mouse settings. Set it and forget it. Just this one alone will make you much quicker. If it feels weird at first, don’t worry, you get use to it.

Keyboard - use quick keys
This almost goes without saying. These are also called keyboard shortcuts. Things like Ctrl-C for copy and Ctrl-Tab for switching screens. Learn to use them…with one hand if possible, cause you just waste more time when you pause for 10 seconds while you get a finger from each hand to the keyboard and then end up falling out of your chair.

Quick launch
On your windows toolbar, set up shortcuts to your commonly used programs. This way your not always going searching through your programs or going to your desktop where half the internet is stored.

Organize your programs
I keep things in one of six folders Application, Accessories, Media, Internet, Utilities and Games. That simplifies things if I do need to find something in there.

Keep your desktop clean
This is more of an annoyance for me. I can’t stand getting on a desktop and trying to find something. Keep it clean so everyone can see that neat background you have.

These are just some typical way that you can increase efficiency in windows to be more productive. Got any others?

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What you need to run SolidWorks on Vista

Published
by
Josh
on May 11, 2007
in Tech to watch
. 4 Comments

VistaWith an addiction to trying new stuff when it comes out, its been difficult finding what I actually need to get SolidWorks to work the best on Vista. So, when the Windows Vista native version of SolidWorks was made available as a pre-release download from the SolidWorks web site May 4th and thought I’d try to that question to rest.

Via Ian Baxter from SolidWorks:

“Please note that hardware-accelerated OpenGL drivers for Windows Vista are not yet available from graphics card vendors such as NVIDIA and ATI. Therefore, SolidWorks on Vista uses software OpenGL drivers that are installed with the Microsoft Vista operating system, so cannot take advantage of any hardware acceleration provided by the graphics card. Consequently, graphics performance with SolidWorks running on the Windows Vista operating system is slower than with SolidWorks running on Windows XP. If it is known in advance that you are working with large assemblies or complex parts, it is recommended that the Windows XP version of SolidWorks 2007 is used in these situations
SolidWorks will qualify certified hardware OpenGL drivers as they are released from the graphics vendors.”
Bulletin: Support for Microsoft Windows Vista

If this is OpenGL emulation, it’s going to run like crap as a layer on top of Direct3d. But supposedly the creator of OpenGL said a while back that it will be Natively Supported in Windows Vista. I haven’t heard about this yet and I’m sure if OpenGL was running better or alongside Direct3d SolidWorks would let us know.

What you need to get SolidWorks running optimally on Vista is a graphics card that is going to support WDDM…

“The Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM) allows for the visual effects seen on a user’s desktop to scale relative to the available graphics hardware.” - Windows Vista Enterprise Hardware Planning Guidance

So you need to keep a look out for what SolidWorks has certiefied and what GPU manufacturers are planning. Here’s one link that may come in handy.

Technet article for CPU and GPU manufacturers supporting WDDM

I ran the test on my Nvidia Quadro FX 1300. It meets minimum criteria (of course), but failed the recommended for GPU, and the optimal for GPU and CPU. Optimal reccomendation was 3.4GHz CPU and 256MB GPU, i.e. nVidia GeForce 7800 (review) that I’ve found for $476.

nVidia for vista

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