In CAD

SmackHACK! Custom SolidWorks Scenes without PhotoWorks

3 Mins Read

solidworks custom photoworks scenesWhat do ya say we cause a little trouble? Last week I made some extremely riveting points about setting up your SolidWorks interface for a better workflow. I’m sure it cause mild shaking and maybe a distant shriek of terror.

However, one thing that frustrates me to the point of making a really disturbing face, while people cringe in disgust around me, is the inability to create your very own custom scene without using PhotoWorks. Lame. Head-butt.

Do you use RealView?
What’s cool about SolidWorks 2008 and 2009 is using RealView when you’re modeling. A nice background scene makes the experience all the more special. Unfortunately, you typically need the PhotoWorks Scene Editor to add Scenes with different backgrounds. (PhotoWorks is a SolidWorks add-on available in Professional and Premium versions.)

Well, it just so happens, that you don’t need PhotoWorks at all, and it’s extremely easy to create your own Scenes with your own backgrounds. Here’s all the files and the steps you need to make it happen.

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In DESIGN

La Révolution. Lapierre Cycles Goes Off-Road with SolidWorks

2 Mins Read

solidworks used for lapierre cycle designs“You likka ta ride the bicycles?” There’s nothing quite like zipping down the shoulder of the road or through a rocky crevasse with two-wheels and a handlebar between you and a very ugly and extremely stingy road rash. You are so hardcore, but look here.

Lapierre Cycles will make you look like you’re a pro, even if you are on the ground, more than on the actual bike, a bike that has its frame and peripherals designed in SolidWorks and analysis done with SolidWorks Simulation.

Asphalt, Dirt, Technology
The Lapierre team has been designing bikes since 1946 and moved from drawing board to 3D CAD with SolidWorks in 2004. With a lot of focus on R&D, they’ve developed the new OST (Optimized Suspension Technology) technology that takes the bumps and KILLS on the trails.

the patented OST® technology is based on a virtual pivot point system that fights pedal bob. OST® has:

  • The existence of an equilibrium point when the rider is on the bike
  • A counteraction proportional to any force produced by pedal bob, thus eliminating it”

Video and photos after the break.

lapierre offroad bike in solidworks

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In CAD

Load. Deform. Free Lessons for Your Parts with SolidWorks SimulationXpress

2 Mins Read

SolidWorks simulationXpress exercises and tipsIt’s rare, but you just don’t get a highly optimized SolidWorks part by holding your breath and pushing really hard. That’s a chronic medical condition you should probably have tested. It’s time to brush up on that structural engineering and add some interpretive analysis to those fine SolidWorks parts.

SolidWorks in partnership with SOLIDProfessor has launched a site with free exercise, videos and tips for SolidWorks SimulationXpress, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tool included with all version of SolidWorks.

Will this work for you?
You have the options of watching some demo videos to become better acquainted with all the juicy bits of analysis using SimulationXpress or download exercise files to apply loads and deform on your own. Here are some more details.

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In NEWS

ShapeWays On the Attack With Photopolymer Black

1 Min Read

shapeways uses objet 3D printers Speaking of Objet 3D printers , there’s a new rapid-prototyping option available this fall from the company enabling you to upload a 3D designs for rapid-prototyping, Shapeways . It’s smooth, it’s black and just screaming your name.

The black photopolymer material is used with their Objet Eden 500 machine and gives you a very fine, detailed piece. They’re running a special on the material till October 19th. (That’s this Sunday.) .97 cents/cm3, nearly 70% off the regular price. What a deal.

Wondering what it looks like. Take a look at the pics after the break.

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In SMACKDOWN

Friday Smackdown: Tiger Beats Mantis

1 Min Read

It all chop, chop here and chop, chop there. Your style like very angry monkey with feet on fire. Must look to find Fist of Slappping Donkey and purge vengeance with these links. Daniel Simon Future Vehicles – Flip..ing…OUT. Daniel Simon is intense with his future ship and vehicle concepts. totally blowing my mind. i…

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