Ricky Jordan's Blog » CAD Industry News

DraftSight Officially Released

Ricky Jordan — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:16:33 +0000

Dassault Systemes today took the “Beta” wraps off DraftSight and have announced it’s full release.

With this full release you also get a few enhancements. Those enhancement include:

Trapezoid command
API Support (Only included with the paid Premium Pack)
Localization of help files
Command Variables – Enhanced to allow users to set and change system variables from the command line

DraftSight is available for FREE at www.draftsight.com

It is available for both Windows & OSX. A Linux version is said to be in the works and will be released soon. (I’ll see if I can get a date.)

Graebert GmbH (the company behind the technology DraftSight is based on) announced an upcoming DraftSight App Store at SolidWorks World last month. The SolidWorks World press release mentioned that 300,000+ users have downloaded DraftSight. It looks like that number has now grown to 400,000+ according to today’s press release.

It appears that the community is responding quickly to this product. Of course, who could blame them when it offers so much functionality for FREE.

On a personal note – I haven’t used DraftSight that much, but when I have it has performed well. There have been a few comments on previous posts mentioning some issues with Printing. I did some testing with the general release tonight and was able to print the test files I have. If you are still having printing issues, make sure you report it to the SWYM support site.

Stay tuned…more to come!

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SolidWorks 2012 Sneak Peek

Ricky Jordan — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:15:01 +0000

One of the favorite parts for many attendees at SolidWorks World each year is the Sneak Peek preview of the upcoming SolidWorks release. This year at SolidWorks World 2011, we all got a Sneak Peek of SolidWorks 2012. Like many years in the past, the new features were revealed in the form of a “skit”. This year it was CAD COPS. (Themed after the popular Fox show “COPS”. I’ve got to say this was probably the funniest one yet. Anyhow, let’s get started reviewing the enhancements. I’ve provided as much detail as I could as they were presented VERY FAST.

You can pin your most commonly used files inside the Recent Documents dialog. You can also open the folders those files are in from the dialog as well. (All of this is available from the file menu as well.)

You can now change units with the Units Switcher in the right side of the status bar. (Can change on the fly anytime.)

Sheet metal flanges now have the option to be set to “Parallel to base flange” instead of vertex which allows for better control when flange angles change.

You can now reference the outside tangency to ensure flange lengths stay the same and corners close properly

Easier placement of Form Tools. You can also dynamically flip, rotate and utilize configurations of your forms! (Thumbs up for sure on the configurations!)

You can now select faces to ignore when unfolding sheet metal parts.

New Swept Flange feature for Sheet Metal (Wasn’t able to get a picture of this one.)

Place one diameter dimension and the sketch automatically locks into diameter dimension mode.

Equation Editor is all new. There is a single dialog box and the software not AUTOMATICALLY calculates the solve order. There are several different views incorporated such as Category, Dimension, & Ordered view. You can access ALL dimensions of a part from a list as well. File properties, functions, & global variables are all available from drop down boxes. You can also utilize the Measure tool from within the Equation Editor to create a reference dimension on the fly which can be used as part of the equation.

Exploded views are now available from the Drawing Pallette. They can also be enabled in the PropertyManager or from the Right Mouse Button Menu. (In current versions, the option to show an Exploded view is buried in the view properties dialog box.)

Bill of Materials can now be created without pre-selecting any views.

Balloons have several enhancements. You can Auto-Balloon sequentially. This will allow you to pick the location of your item 1 balloon and then your balloons follow in sequential item number order around the view (the placement shape is still based on standard Auto-Balloon options). The whole setup appears to be very configurable and will allow you to make adjustments to the balloon sequencing on the fly with all associated Balloons and Bills of Materials dynamically updating.

Balloons now have magnet lines. This is a very popular feature of 3dvia Composer. Balloons can be positioned along a magnet line and you have complete control over the spacing along that line.

View labels are now automatically re-used when views are deleted.

Centermarks can now be automatically inserted at any time for an entire view. (Not just during view creation.) You still have a variety of options for the insertion.

3dvia Composer has enhanced realtime rendering tools which result in a higher quality display image. There is also a Compass tool which helps you navigate and change the appearances of your models.

3dvia Composer also now features BOM highlighting. This allows the user to highlight components in a BOM by hovering over the corresponding components in the model view.

Much like the Magnet Lines mentioned earlier, SolidWork has incorporated some other 3dvia Composer functions. One of which is pressing the Tab key to hide components in an assembly.

SolidWorks 2012 includes a brand new Costing Tool. It analyzes the model (including the features) and gives breakdowns of cost by manufacturing process. It even includes areas where machine setup costs can be input so that quantity adjustments can update the individual component cost. All of this is based on templates which can be modified using an included Template Editor.

Simulation now supports motion sensors and Design Studies support motion simulation. Optimization is also now available in motion simulation.

There is a new Large Design Review mode which allows you to open large assemblies in seconds. (it was described as Quickview on steroids). When opened in this mode the assembly can be navigated as if it were a small assembly. Zooming and panning is also smooth. You can create or reuse Walk throughs and have full interactivity with the FeatureManager Designtree. Hide/Show status can be set from the tree or the graphics area. You can also use the Section View tool while in this mode! Components and sub-assemblies can be opened with full editing capabilities. If you modify the component or sub-assembly and Save it, it will update the Large Assembly already open in Large Design Review mode.

During the SolidWorks World Top Ten Enhancement requests, it was mentioned that the “Freeze Feature” that was shown at SolidWorks World 2010 will be included as part of the SolidWorks 2012 release. (It was in early SolidWorks 2011 alpha builds but was not included in the final SolidWorks 2011 release after some user feedback to questions posted in the SolidWorks Forums. It was held back primarily so that more features and options could be added to it (including support for configurations).

Probably my personal favorite is the Large Design Review mode. If all of the features described make it into the final release, it will be BIG for those with MANY components. Having the Units Switcher in the Status bar is my other favorite. (Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a difference.)

That’s all for now….stay tuned….I’ll post a synopsis of the rest of the Wednesday General Session soon.

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Forecasting the Clouds for SolidWorks V6

Ricky Jordan — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:29:30 +0000

Ok…with all the Cloud jokes rolling around I couldn’t help but have a little fun with the headline. SolidWorks V6 or “The Cloud version” as dubbed by many has been somewhat quietly talked about off and on for about the last six months which followed up a firestorm of discussion just after SolidWorks World 2010. The past few weeks the discussion has picked up quite a bit in advance of SolidWorks World 2011 so I figured I would weigh in on a few things.

I don’t recall seeing anything quite like this in the CAD industry during the time I’ve been following it. A technology demo is shown in Anaheim which has led to and incredible amount of discussion and speculation for the past year. It’s kinda at its “fun” point right now for those of us CAD geeks for one main reason. There is NO PRODUCT available at this time. While some of the “fun” certainly has serious overtones (after all there is a HUGE amount of SolidWorks data existing in industry today) it is for the most part in the “harmless” discussion phase for users. I haven’t heard of SolidWorks customers fleeing in droves (boy don’t you know that their competitors wish they were) so I think its safe to say that everyone is in a “wait and see” mode. As soon as the first “next generation” product becomes available though, ALL OF THAT WILL CHANGE.

Having such a HUGE userbase, SolidWorks has a tremendous responsibility to their customers not to mess this up. (And they did say this several times at SWW2010) They are going to have to make the transition as painless as possible for their customers in order to be successful. So there is without a doubt quite a bit of pretty serious work going on behind closed doors in Concord (and in France). Meanwhile we are all standing outside the doors waiting to get our first look. While no company is perfect it has been MY experience through the years that OVERALL SolidWorks has provided good support for ME as a customer. (Sure I could nitpick in some areas..but I’m trying to keep this big picture folks) Some of you out there may have a different opinion on that. I’m not looking to start a debate on that by the way. Who really has the time and energy to do that….I’ve got two jobs and two kids people! ) So anyway…back to point. Based on that I am taking the stance of assuming that SolidWorks will provide the proper tools and support for users to move. I mean with this much at stake, how can they not? Will it be perfect…most certainly not….but it cannot be grossly imperfect..that is for sure.

Once you move to the cloud…here is a BIG question for MANY folks. SECURITY. How will this be addressed? It has been stated that “private clouds” could be made available for customers requiring it. Now I’ll admit first hand that I don’t have time to keep up with all the newest cloud technology (We’ve got our friends in the IT profession to keep track of that for us.) but my understanding of a “private cloud” would be a server with “extra” security measures in place vs. hosting on a place like Amazon EC3. We’ve got to get more definition out there in this area for sure. I keep wondering if there will be some sort of “certification process” to test these private clouds before some customers will permit their data to be stored on it.

So I’ve hit some of the “major” concern areas first. But lets be realistic here. For us to even consider changing to the new platform, the new product is going to HAVE to be compelling enough to lure us over to it. This is the fun part of the discussion for me. There were a few things I spotted last year that REALLY got my attention with SolidWorks V6. (Ok…calm down folks…lets just put all those bottled up “concerns about the cloud” aside for just a few minutes.)

PROCESSING POWER!!

If they are starting with a clean sheet of paper, I think we could be looking a some pretty groundbreaking technology when it comes to being able to harness multiple cores and processors. Being able to work comfortably with little to NO speed issues at all in a 20,000 component assembly is a pipe dream with ALL CAD software packages today. If they can really nail this…then there’s the first compelling reason to take a serious look at it. This is the piece I am MOST interested in. If they can drastically cut down load and save times then there will be some chunks of time that will open up for reducing level of effort on projects.

COLLABORATION

Umm….yeah…it would be REALLY COOL to allow MORE THAN ONE person to open an assembly at a time! That is what was mentioned last year. Here’s another one that could be a game changer. I mean this could drastically change the way a design team WORKS.

CLIENT MACHINES AND USER INTERFACES

I think if you are reading this post then you have probably been at the least “involved” at some point in specifying a full up CAD Workstation. Video Cards…RAM…Processor…UGH. It can get ugly. I wouldn’t know how to act if I could just have our IT department “pull” a standard PC/iPad/Mac/Whatever machine out of their stock for our next CAD workstation. (I’m not saying that an iPad would provide enough UI to act as a full time all day everyday machine – its just not there yet….BUT…IF you can add a keyboard (possible) and mouse (not possible yet) to it, it makes for an interesting concept.) You could certainly save some serious $$$ if you can relax the PC requirements a bit for workstations.

So with that all that said here is my list of “MAJOR” questions when it comes to SolidWorks V6

What is the timeline for SolidWorks V6? Can we get a little more specific than what was shared last year?
Can we run SolidWorks V6 on a company server behind a firewall? (This is a biggie for some of the folks in my town.)
Just how secure is a “private cloud”?
What capabilities and functionality would be in the first release SolidWorks V6?
Will SolidWorks models import into SolidWorks V6 with full feature history?
How will existing customers be allowed to migrate and will there be additional “costs” to trying it or moving to it? (Just a tip here…the answer should be “no cost”.)
Will “Offline” sessions be supported? (Come on guys….if Gmail can do it??……. )

So when it all comes down to it. The sky…err…clouds.. are not falling (at least not yet). But with a change this big coming you have to concede that failure is possible. Hopefully for the 1.2 million plus SolidWorks customers out there, it won’t. Having known some of the folks at SolidWorks for many years now, I can guarantee they don’t want to see it happen either. As I mentioned earlier, I’m going to assume that there will be realistic transition paths for a large majority of users….until I am proven otherwise. The reality of it is we are all going to have to continue speculating and giving our opinions until the day comes for that door to open and we see an actual product. That will be a BIG day for sure.

Well…that’s all for now. I kind of rambled a bit here and there…but hey…these are my thoughts…I thought it would be a decent change of pace compared to what you normally read here.

Stay tuned…more to come!

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DraftSight for MAC now available

Ricky Jordan — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 02:02:02 +0000

In case the news hasn’t made it to your Inbox, DraftSight for MAC is now available for download at DraftSight.com. Since I don’t own a MAC…I’ll just have to listen to the feedback from folks that do.

The LINUX version is still on schedule to be available towards the end of the year.

Now this PURE speculation….but I can’t help but wonder…. Could it be possible that we might see this application ported to the iPad as well? What would you think about that?

Stay tuned….more to come!

BTW: My wife bought an iPad for her upcoming Book Tour….so I hijacked it for a little bit tonight to see how easily I could post with it. Works pretty well! Of course…the wireless keyboard certainly helps.

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DraftSight for LINUX Screenshot

Ricky Jordan — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:14:25 +0000

Wondering what DraftSight will look like when the Linux version is released? Well…wonder no more. Here’s a screenshot! Looks just as clean as the MAC & Windows versions. I did not hear exactly when we might see this available for download, but it will follow the MAC version which is due out in a couple of weeks. Pretty cool to see things going platform independent.

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SolidWorks 2011: What’s New Highlights

Ricky Jordan — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:37 +0000

DS SolidWorks Corporation today unveiled SolidWorks 2011, the latest release of the most popular 3D CAD software on the market. There are many new features to talk about, but today I’m going to hit the highlights of what is coming.

Theme

Every release has a theme and this one is no different. Along with improving Performance and Reliability (which is and should be a focus of every release), here are the major themes.

Design Faster and more Efficiently
Enhanced Support for Manufacturing
Improved Collaboration and Visualization

This release included over 200 enhancements, many of which were customer driven.

Weldments

The biggest addition to Weldments is the introduction of a lightweight Weld Bead command which can be invoked in both Parts AND Assemblies! The functions of the command are the same for both environments. The resultant Weld Bead is NOT a solid body (only graphical representation), so it is generated VERY fast. Below are some capability highlights:

Weld Annotations are automatically generated with the Weld Bead
Can weld around complex intersections
Can weld around gaps between tubes
Can do Intermittent and Staggered weld beads
Instant 3D handles available on screen to adjust bead length
Can change weld bead types through the auto-generated Annotation
Smart Selection Tool allows for RAPID intersection selection and bead production
Weld Tables automatically generated in SolidWorks Drawings
Caterpillar and End Treatment tools to show Weld Beads in Drawings
Separate Weight Calculation tool for the Weld Beads

Drawings

Drawing views now support the display of component colors as line color display
New Algorithm to place model item dimensions in a much more orderly fashion
Ability to Auto Arrange existing dimensions through multiple selection
Spacing thumbwheel can be used to control the gap between dimensions when using Auto Arrange
Hole Table: Can delete rows, renumber tags & show dual dimensions
Rotate View command in Drawings now

Curves

Curves can now be used to create reference planes. You can also reuse Curves for multiple features. The Helix command now supports this as well. Height and revolution have been added to the Helix command along with on screen fly-outs for all the parameters of the feature.

Sheet Metal

You can now pattern or mirror Tab features
The outline size of the sheet metal “blank” is now automatically generated as part of the Flat Pattern command.
Bend Calculation equations are now supported

Grid System

This is a new feature that allows users to rapidly create a network of sketch features for Weldment framework generation. This is an interesting topic that we will cover in more detail on this site later.

FeatureWorks

Can combine fillets and chamfers during auto-generation. (This is NICE)
Now supports the recognition of Draft features
Recognizes revolved features better
Boss-Sweep and Cut-Sweep added to the list of supported features.

Routing

Introduction of the Routing Library Manager (can be opened without the SolidWorks application running)
Better support for the Routing component wizard
Tag Schema Manager for P&ID diagrams
Piping and Tubing Database can control ALL Piping & Tubing properties
Will pick Piping Flange size based on a component outside of the route.
Can create individual weld gaps on piping components
Enhanced convert guidelines
Dimensions added to piping routing sketch will automatically dimension to the outside of the pipe
RMB Move fitting with triad. (Will allow users to rotate and move the routing part while staying linked to any attached routes.

Defeature

This tool allows you to convert an assembly to automatically create a “dumbed down” model with many less components and features. This is common for parts that you want to share but not include any internal or sometimes external detail. It also has the ability to preserve mates between parts when creating a new file. The new file is an Assembly with virtual component parts.

Appearances & Rendering

Fully integrated Photoview 360 into SolidWorks
Can adjust all aspects of Appearance data
Decals have been made part of the SolidWorks Standard package
Display Manager now added as a 4th FeatureManager Tab. It houses all of the Lights, Scenes, Cameras, and Walkthrough features.
Can work in SolidWorks while renderings are being processed.

Miscellaneous

Better utilization of memory which allows you to stay in SolidWorks a lot longer without having to reboot the application
The measure tool can now be used while creating or editing a feature.
You can now “configure” global variables, scale factors, and thread callouts
Improved Parting Surface command in Mold Tools – Better control of how the surfaces are generated
Equations now support suppression of a component based on condition statements
All new UI for the Admin Image Editor along with many new options
Can add Sustainability data to the Assembly Visualization tool.

OK…that is the Quick List. I’ll get some more screenshots rolled into this post tomorrow.

Stay tuned….more to come!

DISCLAIMER: DS SolidWorks Corp paid for my travel, accommodations, and some meals for the SolidWorks 2011 Blogger Press Event.

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First Look: Let’s Go Design Ultimate CAD Chair

Ricky Jordan — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:04:38 +0000

Part of our activities at SolidWorks today included a tour of Jeremy Luchini’s Let’s Go Design studios. We got to see the set where all the episodes are filmed. Jeremy has some pretty awesome “props” in there which are products that were all designed in SolidWorks. After checking out the studio, Jeremy took us out back to his Fabrication shop where he is building the “Ultimate CAD Chair” featured on his latest episodes. We were given an exclusive first look at the chair, which is still being built. Let me tell you, this thing was AWESOME! I can’t wait to see the finished product at SolidWorks World 2011 in San Antonio. Below are some images I snapped along with a YouTube video of the studio and fab shop.

That’s one BIG Gantry system!

Me in the CAD Chair!

This is me trying to figure out how I’m going to get this into my office!

Here is a YouTube video showing the tour

DISCLAIMER: DS SolidWorks Corp paid for my travel, accommodations, and some meals for the SolidWorks 2011 Blogger Press Event.

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Coming Soon: FREE DraftSight for MAC

Ricky Jordan — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:50:33 +0000

At the SolidWorks Blogger Press Event today in Concord, MA, we were shown a screenshot of the upcoming DraftSight version for MAC. DraftSight for MAC will be available as a FREE download here in a couple of weeks over on the DraftSight page. I should have a high resolution image for this tomorrow sometime, but in the meantime, here is a sample image that shows the interface.

There is lots more to report on the SolidWorks 2011 front, but it will have to wait till 8am EST tomorrow morning. That is when the NDA on SolidWorks 2011 will be lifted.

Stay tuned…lots more to come!!

DISCLAIMER: DS SolidWorks Corp paid for my travel, accommodations, and some meals for the SolidWorks 2011 Blogger Press Event.

UPDATED: 9/1/2010 – A better screenshot of the interface has been loaded. You can click on the image above for fully detailed view!

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SolidWorks to Provide Software for Boy Scouts

Ricky Jordan — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:21:36 +0000

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has brought the Inventing Merit Badge out of a long retirement and SolidWorks has agreed to provide a FREE copy of the SolidWorks Student Design Kit to any scout pursuing the Badge.

The “new” Badge is a result of a partnership between the BSA and the Lemelson-MIT program. Scouts are required to interview inventors, research topics related to new product development, and create a working prototype of their own invention.

SolidWorks has setup a page that includes links to the Badge Requirements and a video tutorial to help students learn SolidWorks. You can click on the image below to go to that page. You can find more details on the SolidWorks Blog and in the Press Release issued last week.

As a parent with a Boy in Scouts, I applaud SolidWorks and the BSA for providing this opportunity for the Scouts. I think providing 3D CAD software like SolidWorks will enhance the experience as each scout carries out their badge requirements.

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DraftSight – FREE 2D For ALL

Ricky Jordan — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:18:53 +0000

Dassault Systemes today announced the introduction of DraftSight, a 2D CAD tool that is available for download for FREE at DraftSight.com. Last week I was contacted by a PR agency and was asked if I would like to see the product first hand and review some of the details of the program. I jumped at the chance and even got to test drive a pre-beta version of the software to see for myself what it was all about. Below are the highlights of what is being offered.

FREE download version to anyone who wants it
Increased performance over many 2D packages
API Extension and Direct Technical Support can be purchased as Add-Ons
If you print or save, a one-time e-mail submission is required for the Free version.
Online DraftSight Community using the new DS SWYM platform
Commercial version bundles API & Tech Support sold as FlexLM license by all DS Reseller Channels
Will offer both MAC & LINUX versions later this year

The Basics

The product is little over 40 megabytes when downloaded. Installation literally takes less than a minute. The interface is VERY Clean. The look and feel is very “modern” which is refreshing when compared to the IntelliCAD based SolidWorks 2DEditor (DWGeditor). It also contains some enhancements which do make this product unique. Below is a screenshot of the default screen you see when you start the program.

Although I don’t use 2D tools very much at all any more, I was still able to find my way around the product since it is VERY much like AutoCAD. One of the features I immediately noticed is that DraftSight contains a Polar snap setting, which was always missing in DWGeditor. The layers interface is very clean and appears to have all the major tools and features necessary. Below is a screenshot that shows all the details.

One of the unique features of this tool is the Enhanced Command Window which features colors for options as you enter geometry creation commands. This makes the options standout and will allow the user to identify the options available much faster.

Basic Block Commands are also available. The example I created included a gradient shaded hatch. All of the placement options will look very familiar to most 2D users.

If you Save or Print a file in DraftSight, you’ll be prompted to Activate the software. All you have to provide is an e-mail address. (THAT’S IT!) You have 30 days to provide this e-mail address. After that you will have to provide it in order to continue using the product.

DraftSight also has a mouse gesture wheel feature that functions very much like its counterpart in SolidWorks 2010.

Performance is key and according to Aaron Kelley, Senior Director of DraftSight, users should see a significant performance increase when compared to SolidWorks 2DEditor. Of course I had to test this for myself and I must say the results were very positive. A 19 megabyte test file (cannot show the content on the screen…sorry!) loaded in about half the time it took to open the file in SolidWorks 2DEditor. This product is being lauched as a Beta. This is pretty common these days with many software companies…after all…Gmail was labeled “Beta” for quite some time.

Commercial Licensing

All Dassault Systemes reseller channels will be selling a Commercial version that includes the API access and Technical Support for $250 per year per license. It is a standard FlexLM setup that will allow multiple users to access the available licenses on the server.

Community Aspect

One of the interesting aspects of this product is the Community approach. The DraftSight Community is an area setup within the new Dassault Systemes SWYM online Community. (SWYM stands for See What You Mean) The hope is that the user Community will provide lots of feedback on the product which will drive future enhancements. It was stressed that this product WILL be enhanced and will always offer a FREE version. I’ll cover more about SWYM in a future post as it is just now being launched along with this product.

Technology

The technology behind this product is NOT IntelliCAD. It is based on ARES which is a newly launched platform from German based Grabert CAD solutions. Later this year a MAC & LINUX versions of this product will be available which follows in line with product announcements already made by Grabert. I did ask about the future of SolidWorks 2DEditor and was told that announcements regarding that product will be made later down the road.

Industry Effects

The fact that such a comprehensive 2D tool is now being offered for FREE is without a doubt a groundbreaking action within the CAD Industry. Although it may not have the Bells and Whistles of some of the other 2D CAD packages, it offers an amazing amount of functionality for virtually no cost to the user. So perhaps Dassault will need to add “2D for Everyone” as a slogan to go along with their “3D for Everyone” mission statement. What will the other CAD vendors say? Well, I’m sure we’ll hear all about how DraftSight lacks this feature and that feature, but the bottom line is this package is not trying to be the ultimate 2D package. It offers basic 2D functionality at no cost to the user. Pretty impressive.

Conclusions

So far, I am really impressed with this product. The interesting test will be putting it through its paces in the hands of the user. After more folks (along with myself) have kicked the tires of the Beta version of the product, I’ll post the results here on the site.

Stay tuned….much more to come!

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