Archive for May, 2008

SolidWorks vs. AutoCAD: The Twitter Spectrum

Published
by
Josh
on May 16, 2008
in Rockin' Cool
. 1 Comment

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solidworks vs autocad twitter spectrumMaybe it’s not fair, but I thought it would be a little fun to compare the conversation of SolidWorks vs. AutoCAD happening on Twitter.

I used an amazing tool that data visualization ar-teest, Jeff Clark, has come up with called Twitter Spectrum. It’s a visualization of the words used in two topics you enter into the search.

He also has NewsSpectrum, that analyzes Google News, which can give you another look at what words the press is using to describe two topics. Verdict: People use ‘a bad word‘ to describe AutoCAD more… but look, you can see ‘crashed’ more on the SolidWorks side and there’s SolidSmack right in the middle! oooo! I’m treading in the gray area between 2D and 3D! Say it ain’t so! :)

solidworks autocad spectrum on twitter

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Friday Smackdown: Step to the Left

Published
by
Josh
on May 16, 2008
in Smackdown
. 0 Comments

electronic architechture bookYes’m, the sky split open like one of them biscuit cans and then my mama takes out this laser shootin’ thing, but these links were downright mean I tell ya.

Piel.Skin Contemporary Architecture - An online architechture book, but whats cool about this is the live link to Google Maps that shows where the buildings are.
How to Make a Physical Gmail Notifier - I love the links my brother finds. They use a lighted cub, but police sirens would be more approriate.
TwittBuzz - What’s going on in the Twit-osphere? THIS is. Shows real-time most linked-to topics being discussed on Twitter.
Vistas Best Features on XP - They’re not all in one program, but you may find something cool, like that 3D screen flippin’ stuff.
Free Photoshop book - A totally free, and totally useful book for getting graphics going on the web with PS. Yes, that is really cool.
BrandTags.com - What one word would you use to describe SolidSmack? This site shows what people feel a brand is.

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5…No Wait, 6 Tips For Fixing SolidWorks Errors

Published
by
Josh
on May 15, 2008
in SolidWorks Tips
. 4 Comments

solidworks error iconSince the dawn of time, man has contemplated the frustrating effects of the big read error icon and has come to the conclusion that, yes, veins can indeed pop out of your head whether your sitting down or standing in a defensive crouch in front of your computer.

Computer errors pretty much feel like being hit repeatedly in the face. Errors in a SolidWorks parts and assembly feel like the repeated face hits but with missing the face and popping you square, and very annoyingly, in the ear.

But look here. There are ways to get rid of those errors quickly and dodge a ton of others that come flying at you.
Continue reading ‘5…No Wait, 6 Tips For Fixing SolidWorks Errors’

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Microsoft Reveals the TouchWall; CAD Will Never Be the Same

Published
by
Josh
on May 15, 2008
in Tech to watch
. 5 Comments

microsoft demos multi-touch technologyWhile Micorsoft’s Surface is kinda cool, but also like the Pac-man console at that pizza place, the newly debut Microsoft Touchwall puts it all in perspective and drops an ax on what it would take to get multi-touch technology into your tech-grubby hands.

All this uses is a couple hundred bucks of readily-available, rear-projection hardware and the software technology called “Plex” that runs on top of Vista.

Before you run out and get a Vista tattoo though, you should know this isn’t commercially available yet and Microsoft doesn’t have any plans to make it so, until they realize how stupid that is.

CAD will never be the same
One of the first thoughts when someone sees this is how cool it will be for gaming. Fact is, it will be cool for a lot of applications. In my opinion, multi-touch and display technology has the greatest affect on how traditional CAD programs, user interaction and design functions will change. I say Microsoft needs to Open Source this software and let everyone go buckwild with development.

Get to the video already right?

Via Techcrunch

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Interested in Boat Design? Well, Have Some Free Boat Plans

Published
by
Josh
on May 14, 2008
in Resources
. 1 Comment

My brother, who is trying to shed the hooks of life on dry ground for a life at sea, shared this site with me. It’s a giant repository for details of old boat plans that includes everything from row boats to ski boats and even a few sail boats. Ah, to escape to the islands, or end up stranded with a boat I created from an old boat plan. Sweet.

Some, but very few, of them have CAD drawings, like the cute, but burly, MiniMost. Some of the plans are really detailed and can even help you learn about what the parts of a boat are called, like mooring bits, bow sprit and keel rabber. So grab some, print them out and tuck them under your arm like you’ve been building boats for ages!

boat frame isometric view

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SolidSmack Mystery Tip: Motivating SolidWorks Users to Use More Features

Published
by
Josh
on May 14, 2008
in SolidWorks Mystery Tips and SolidWorks Tips
. 5 Comments

I’m liking this topic, so we’re gonna keep going with it till it breaks into a million tiny pieces. Here’s why. I get a bit of emails asking questions about SolidWorks and a lot of them are really good questions that I’d love to turn into posts. So, here’s your chance again to have your question answered.

First Person to Ask a Question!
The first person to asks a question about SolidWorks in the comments below will turn this post into a 100% grade-A tip for everyone to join in on. All I ask, is that it’s not a question like, why does SolidWorks suck or can I put milk in an envelope… this is serious stuff people.

So ask away, chime in if you know the answer, and we’ll crank out another topic that will send people home to their families in a pleasant mood.

The Mystery Question IS…

UPDATE! Chris Chastine asks…
“Does anyone else have trouble motivating their users and getting them to use some more common features? It continues to baffle me why my users still don’t use patterns or hole wizard so that when time comes to work on the assembly they can save themselves hours of sheer torture by not having to place (and keep updated) hundreds of fasteners. I still have users that draw and dimension each and every hole instead of making them all “equal” or using relations to force the design intent.

Before you ask - no, we don’t have modeling standards. And no, I am not a full time CAD Admin, I design during the day and mysteriously transform into an admin during my slower periods.”

Chris, sounds like a tough situations. Let’s see what everyone has to say!
Continue reading ‘SolidSmack Mystery Tip: Motivating SolidWorks Users to Use More Features’

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SolidWorks Surfacing and Complex Shape Modeling

Published
by
Josh
on May 14, 2008
in Resources
. 0 Comments

Yesterday my copy of SolidWorks Surfacing by Matt Lombard arrived in the mail from Amazon! My boy likes all the colored images in the book… and I like the colored images in the book. We discussed boundary surface and debated lofting conditions.

From first glance, this book is full of insight that will get you up to speed fast on terminology and how surfacing works inside SolidWorks. I really like the sections on Using Specialized Techniques and Matt goes into the process of setting up the model, or rather, what to consider and the important information needed to start a more complicated shape.

It also uses a lot of real world type examples. I see a plastic bottle that looks like something in my cabinet. Congrats to Matt for getting this out. Go buy it and learn something today!

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Create Models Faster with a Library of Surfaces in SolidWorks

Published
by
Josh
on May 13, 2008
in SolidWorks Tips
. 1 Comment

Oh to have ways of creating models faster. Moving your mouse around really fast-like doesn’t help, gripping your neck and squeezing real hard doesn’t help much either. Sometimes, it’s just what you have in your bag o’ tricks that can get you moving along… or in our case, a library of tricks.

In SolidWorks, you may use the Design Library to store everything from common features to standard assemblies, but what it’s rarely used as, is a library of surface features; surfaces that can be used to aid design. This may feel a little soupy if you’re unfamiliar with surfacing in SolidWorks, but I think you’ll be able to pick up some ideas even if you don’t use surfacing.

To explain, picture this example.
Continue reading ‘Create Models Faster with a Library of Surfaces in SolidWorks’

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The DIY BluePrint: Inspired to Make It Yourself

Published
by
Josh
on May 13, 2008
in Product Design
. 1 Comment

I know, it’s only Tuesday and you’re saying, “Yeeeeah, I typically take my inspiration on Fridays - Thursdays at the earliest to knock some of thoooose projects out over the weekend, m’kay? thanks.” But folks, this just can’t wait, I tell you, and will probably get you through the week completely distracted by your potential… to MAKE.

The (crank reverb) Institute for the FUTURE (IFTF) has put together a eye opening Future of Making Map that you need to print out and smother yourself in for about ten minutes.

It reveals a changing mindset and discuss the technologies making it happen in the areas of design and manufacturing.

An emerging do-it-yourself culture of “makers” is boldly voiding warranties to tweak, hack, and customize the products they buy. And what they can’t purchase, they build from scratch. Meanwhile, flexible manufacturing technologies on the horizon will change fabrication from massive and centralized to lightweight and ad hoc.

However, it’s not saying that it will replace the traditional manufacturing industry, but that it will be combined to create more opportunities and ways of collaborating on design and manufacturing.

The New Annoyed
Doing something yourself can be one of the most frustrating and enjoyable projects you take on. If you’ve ever been annoyed at paying (too much) for a service after you see how it’s done you are amongst the many my friend. You’ve kind of realized all along that you are more interested in doing it yourself and that is why you have so many unfinished projects. Know what I mean?

For those in the CAD World
All this craftiness and DIY stuff may not seem applicable to the programs you use or companies you belong to. Look at the map again, because it should. On top of that, there’s companies like Protomold(Rapid Plastic Injection) and Ponoko(Laser-Cutting Create, Make-n-Sell), that are making prototyping and production more feasible. They mention Sketchup, a free 3D modeling program from Google, but even higher-end programs like SolidWorks is allowing people to create their ideas and get them closer to market - Like that Electric Unicycle guy.

You can totally see this happening as well. Just look at sites like Makezine, Etsy and BugLabs, ThinkGeek, Instructables and all the Steampunk stuff. People modding, hacking, modeling and figuring out ways to create.

Have these new sites and manufacturing methods inspired your own ideas? How do you think its going to change the way products are made?

BoingBoing Via Evan Yares

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SolidSmack Turns 1 Year Old: Still Cute, But a Bit Sassy

Published
by
Josh
on May 9, 2008
in SolidSmack News
. 14 Comments

Well everyone, look at that. We have completely plundered the riches of the web and have a big ol’ bag of incredibly useful tips and information. SolidSmack.com is officially one year old today. (See first post here.)

You all are completely incredible and make this so much fun, I can’t even explain it. I seriously can not believe all the people (and characters) I’ve meet the past year. So spin in a circle, pat your back and yell SolidSmack real loud to celebrate the joy.

Shouts out to the other bloggers, SolidWorks, and especially to the ones that throw down in the comments.

What’s coming up this year?
More wonderful posts, but I want to hear from you. What do you want to see more of? less of? What do you like the most? least?

As many have speculated, a new version of SolidSmack is launching soon and I want to make it as useful for you as possible with content you find interesting. So let me know!

Stats for the past year
Wondering how solidsmack did?
Continue reading ‘SolidSmack Turns 1 Year Old: Still Cute, But a Bit Sassy’

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