First, the
revamped user interface
provides
a lot more graphics
real estate in
which to work.
And a new transparent
Heads Up
View displays in
each viewport to
minimize mouse
clicks and movement
by giving
easy access to
view controls.
The idea is to let
users focus on
designs, not the
modeler’s command structure. In
fact, users have little need to look
away from the graphics window
when building a model.
RealView graphics makes 3D
models look fantastic. Seeing materials
a model will be made of as
it is built (with textures and even
bump maps) punches up the fun
factor. One downside in the drawing
environment is the cute, wrinkly
paper users work on. It’s distracting.
Fortunately, the feature
can be turned off.
The software makes full use of
the developer’s SolidWorks Intelligent
Feature Technology (Swift),
which makes building models
simpler with all sorts of Xperts
capability built on Swift. For example,
the DimXpert recognizes
features and auto-dimensions
3D models for manufacturing.
Dimensions can also be brought
onto drawings. DimXpert supports
geometric dimensions and
tolerances according to ASME
Y14.41-2003 3D. Other wizards, such as DFM Xpress examines
models for manufacturing problems,
while Driveworks Xpress
lets users build well-defined models
by filling out forms — like
placing an order. And the new
FilletXpert applies multiple fillets
in a single operation.
Also helpful, the software
provides several ways to reuse
existing designs. For example, a
Search function located at the
top right of the screen lets users
just type in what they are looking
for — be it a drawing number or a
part of the filename — and Search
looks for anything that comes close. Search even finds
DWGs. Results display
on the right of the graphics
window. Design Clipart,
new in 2008, lets users
reuse views, blocks,
tables, sketches, and
features from SolidWorks parts
and assemblies. Basically, Design
Clipart dissects files and extracts
data so it is reusable in new Solid-
Works designs.
The CAD software is also intelligent
enough to build geometry depending on how users select
components. For example, select
a profile atop a solid, and the software
defaults to Cut. But select
a profile in space, and the software
defaults to Extrude. This
capability has been needed for a
long time. Other great modeling
capabilities: Pressing the “M” key
when dragging an extrude specifies
a midplane extrude. The software
also displays the new sliding
ruler that shows how far the user
is dragging. And a new “centered rectangle” lets users select where
they want the center and then
drag the rectangle edges. Also, a
Live Section tool lets users work
on models without the bother of
finding direct access to internal
features. Just section the model
and work away.
V 2008 works with large assemblies
faster than ever. Before, it
was necessary to wait while each
part loaded and displayed in the
graphics window. A new Quick
View Selective Open just loads
graphics — not all the detailed
data that takes so long to come
in. After opening the lightweight
assembly, users can pick components
to work on and load just
them. SolidWorks even loads assembly
mates. When users move
a component, it acts as if all the
other parts in the assembly are
there. Pressing “Control Tab” lets
users cycle through open files,
which trims time from design chores. A new Volume Select lets
users pick components to work
on by defining a solid volume.
In addition to these considerable
capabilities, the selection
of add-on modules will wow you.
These include Cosmos FlowWorks
to simulate fluid flow, Cosmos motion
for animation and physical
simulation in one time-line-based
package, and TolAnalyst, which
runs through tolerance stackups to
zero-in on problem dimensions.
A last word to the wise — unless
you’ve got the mother of all
Internet connections, get the software
on a DVD. The full download
is over 6 Gbytes. The software
comes from SolidWorks Corp.,
300 Baker Ave., Concord, MA
01742, solidworks.com
— Mike Hudspeth