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If I hadn’t gone there, who knows, I may have gotten a few more appendages, but I’m pretty happy with the one’s I have. These links certainly help.
Desktopia - Yeah, you can pretty much always go here from now on for cool backgrounds. Upgrade your skill level in 24 hours - That’s darn quick, but these little tips work and your friends will be impressed. Blurb.com - Make your own book. Download the software, slap in some pics and text, get it printed. That easy. HippoPost - No more excuses for not writing a letter. Send a postage-paid, printed and customizable postcard to someone and do it all online. The hundred push-up challenge - Who cares if you throw up, you’ll be doing a hundred push ups. FotoViewr - Crazy slick gallery creation for your Flickr Photos. Mom will be impressed.
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Ok folks, so here it is. The beginning of the end of the mouse and 3D desktop controls. The first I saw of this was a craptastic video back in March of some guys fiddling with a glove and a wiimote to control SolidWorks.
Little did I know, a cool guy named Brian put up a video in January (below) demonstrating the simple concept with AutoDesk Design Review (ADR.) Now available from AutoDesk and even more simple is the ADR Wiimote add-in that requires no extra programming.
So, what do you think? Will you be using this to control your models next year? Is SolidWorks Labs working on a Wiimote add-in? I’d like to see all the presenters at SolidWorks World 2009 using a Wiimote for presentations. Even more I’d like to see some the technology that develops out of this.
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It’s inevitable. A hundred models of a screw and they’re all created a different way. I’m telling ya, it’s an open flesh wound just waiting to get infected.
Companies often jump into the 3D modeling fray without laying out an SolidWorks implementation plan. But, even when things are implemented correctly, the details of model creation get ignored. Suddenly, the gangrene set in, people are throwing up yesterdays models, and the productive energy is sucked right out of your design and engineering department. That is gross man.
Here’s an easy approach to stop the rot that plagues typical methods of no design practice or too many design practices. I imagine you have your own tricks too, so hit the comments and tell everyone what you and your company do to take on the task of creating the perfect design practice. Continue reading ‘Stop the SolidWorks Rot: Simple Tips for Awesome Design Practices’
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The brand spankin’ new 3D technology magazine, Develop3D, has just gone to print. You’ll definitely want to get your hands on this, because for one thing, yours truly is a columnist for the fine outfit based out of UK.
I gotta say, I’m not a regular industry magazine reader, but the way this is laid out and what I’ve seen of it already totally blows everything else out of the CAD-infested waters. If you want a fresh look at the technologies out there and what’s around the bend, check out the magazine and get your free subscription.
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Designing a door seems like the simplest thing you could attempt right? A panel, some holes, and a bit of glass. Contemporary door design makes it even easier with all the straight lines. These doors from Swedish designer Snickarper caught my attention though.
It’s not so much the style, but the way the elements are located and how simple it would be to create really unique door designs quickly in a parametric 3D modeling program like SolidWorks. Continue reading ‘Product Design: Could You Design A Door?’
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Today is the official Download Day 2008 for the new version of the Firefox web browser. Their mission: to set a Guinness World Record for the most software downloaded in 24 hours.
Since Firefox will probably be the first browser you use 3D CAD on in the future, you’ll probably want to download it. The improved performance is incredible. They’ve also improved add-on, bookmark and download managers as well as strengthened security against malware.
The download goes live at Noon CST (10am PDT).
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The SolidWorks Confirmation Corner. That little island in the corner just tempting you to become a more decisive person. One option, to accept the ensuing fate of the changes you’ve made to your sketch. The other, to abandon all the relations you’ve jacked up.
Do you really… I mean REALLY want to exit that sketch? Think about it and choose wisely, because that sketch change might work… but it might not. Tough decisions for those non-committal types huh? I used it in the past, but since SW08, I have it turned off. What about you?
Do You use the SolidWorks Confirmation Corner?
Other Options?
While there’s not a regular command to exit the sketch that disregards any changes, there are other ways to get out of the edit sketch command, as well as edit feature commands, that may be faster than traveling to the Confirmation Corner. Here’s three that will keep you closer to that cool lookin’ model of yours. Continue reading ‘SolidWorks Confirmation Corner. Use It? Loose It? Three Other Options.’
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I’ll agree with you, workstations nowadays are just not cuttin’ it. Our desires for widescreen monitors, THX Dolby surround sound, air filtering, light therapy, web cams, and battery backups are diminished by plain old systems that just ‘get the job done.’ NO MORE!
NovelQuest introduces… to you… in July… the ultimate in killer workstations… THE EMPEROR. Named after it’s resemblance to an Emperor Scorpion, the top lifts to easily attach yourself into the ergo-insect interior. This particular version features (only?) three 19″ screens and strikes with Mac or PC poison.
No word on if they will include auto-tracking missile batteries or an option to encase your self permanently in a life-sustaining goo. Price is also suspect although it’s sure to be high. A similar workstation called the Gravitonus rings in at $7k.
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It’s one thing if you’re just standing there waiting for the subway to come by, it’s a completely different thing if you’re standing there minding your business, maybe reading a paper, and someone throws beans point-blank into your face. These links help the stinging though.
Creatures in my Head - The enchanting and wonderful illustrative works of Andrew Bell will not give you nightmares. Twingly - the greatest of blog search engine launched yesterday. Subscribing to searches and looking at blog profiles is way fun. Google Reader Easter Egg - Special things await the one that uses the Konami Code (up up down down left right left right b a) in Google Reader. Thanks noych! Hotpads.com - Home search that helps find the coolest place to live. DIY Planner Kits - Release your obsessions and get organized with the ultimate in free ‘Getting Things Done” planner templates. Photojojo Father’s Day Gift Guide - You have two days left to get something nice for pops. This may spur some ideas.. or some guilt. A Weekend with Warren Buffett - What one question would you ask the richest man in the world? Here’s what Tim Ferriss asked.
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“Son, that boy is faster at sketchin’ some 3D than a greased zebra chasin’ a three-legged yak.” Now wouldn’t you want to be described like that? Well, there’s more to being fast in SolidWorks, than flipping through commands and some fancy assembly tricks.
The System Options have a few setting that are not always used, but could make you quicker if they were. After this you’ll be moving faster in sketches, dimensioning and finding parts and features than you ever were before. Go greased Zebra, go. Continue reading ‘5 SolidWorks Options to Be Quicker Than the Other Guy’
If you haven't already, consider subscribing to SolidSmack so you can easily receive updates when new articles are published or announcements are made.
If I hadn’t gone there, who knows, I may have gotten a few more appendages, but I’m pretty happy with the one’s I have. These links certainly help.
Ok folks, so here it is. The beginning of the end of the mouse and 3D desktop controls. The first I saw of this was a 
It’s inevitable. A hundred models of a screw and they’re all created a different way. I’m telling ya, it’s an open flesh wound just waiting to get infected.
The brand spankin’ new 3D technology magazine, 
Designing a door seems like the simplest thing you could attempt right? A panel, some holes, and a bit of glass. Contemporary door design makes it even easier with all the straight lines. These doors from Swedish designer 
Today is the official 
The SolidWorks Confirmation Corner. That little island in the corner just tempting you to become a more decisive person. One option, to accept the ensuing fate of the changes you’ve made to your sketch. The other, to abandon all the relations you’ve jacked up.
I’ll agree with you, workstations nowadays are just not cuttin’ it. Our desires for widescreen monitors, THX Dolby surround sound, air filtering, light therapy, web cams, and battery backups are diminished by plain old systems that just ‘get the job done.’ NO MORE!
It’s one thing if you’re just standing there waiting for the subway to come by, it’s a completely different thing if you’re standing there minding your business, maybe reading a paper, and someone throws beans point-blank into your face. These links help the stinging though.
“Son, that boy is faster at sketchin’ some 3D than a greased zebra chasin’ a three-legged yak.” Now wouldn’t you want to be described like that? Well, there’s more to being fast in SolidWorks, than 
