A little while ago I did a cannonball into the serene waters of assembly design and gave you 3 Unique Solutions to Modeling in SolidWorks. It was almost a taunt, because I just jabbed at the concept. Well, here’s a little bit more of a jab. Something with a little more pepper… and some delicious…

Have you ever wanted to lock your SolidWorks model in a certain spot to keep it from rebuilding and save some time? Well, you can’t do it. But you can be part of making it happen. Deep in the heart of Wisconsin, a guy named Lloyd told a guy named Lenny, “You gotta help me…

The light spills in through the windows of your studio. You’re sketching things up, importing illustrations, optimizing models here and there, and making the most beautifully designed product a consumer has ever seen. You have a perfect balance between a love for esthetically pleasing design and what you went to engineering school for. However, there…

Keep the video game addicts back. There’s a new game (about to be) in town. Crayon Physics. A game where you draw 2D shapes that turn into physical objects to do your bidding and solve the puzzles. Yeah, I know it’s 2D, but I’d call it Cool-D. That’s like 50 levels above 2D. Check out…

In case you’ve made a comment and didn’t see it show up, hold tight. I am using a shiny new plugin called Defensio that tightens and controls the spaminess of comments. It’s in the process of learning so it may accidently quarantine a comment here or there. If you have a Wordpress blog, I highly…

I love the industrial, mechanized late 18th century kinda look. That whole LXG or hellboy visual of a bunch of mechanized parts and oversized components that give something a rough and gritty but highly engineered feel. Love it. That’s why you gotta check out SteamPunk’s Flat Panel LCD Mod. It’s everything an avid collector of…

I’ve had a poll up for a couple months to see when you plan on upgrading to SolidWorks 2008. It was started during pre-release and SP 0.1 is the latest Service Pack. To date, there’s been 151 responses and it seems close between those that already have upgraded and those waiting for bugs to be…

What’s up with knuckle skin? Why’s there got to be so much? Same with elbow skin, what’s that all about? These links may answer your question. Joshua Davis Art – I love this guys art, it’s very bubbly deco-mechanicorganic. Call of Duty 4 – Released this week for, ya know, playing at work during lunch.…

Don’t you just love some seriously beautiful wallpaper to customize your programs with? Sure, you can customize your SolidWorks background, but that’s so SolidWorks 2007. Now, in SolidWorks 2008 you can even add a custom image to your drawing background. In fact…are you ready… it already comes with… a crinkly paper background. Yeah, pretty hard…

I finally know what I want for Christmas. An ASR Carbon mountain bike from Yeti cycles. It’s only $6149.00, fully loaded. These high-end bikes are just plain tough looking and make my purple GT Outback look wimpy. Oh yeah, and they are designed in SolidWorks. My favorite one from their line-up, the ASR Race/Trail bike,…

Do you remember those little prizes in Cracker Jacks you could flip back and forth and see two different pictures? The team down at Big3D have been busy making a much more complicated, 98 foot wide by 13 foot tall one of those. The Lenticular Mural at the Mandalay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas…

Just wanted to let you PDF-on-crack users know I recently did an article for the Adobe Acrobat User Community to show the throngs of people out there using Adobe Acrobat 3D 5 Time Saving Benefits of Adding Acrobat 3D to Your Engineering Workflow. I literally take a standard workflow, tear it apart and neatly locate…

There’s usually a lot of change in a new software release that doesn’t get reported. There’s also most likely an equally sad employee that doesn’t get to bask in the brilliance of that small “mediocre” addition. Well, that’s about to change. Whether you’ve been noticed or not, we know you’re in front of your computer…

And I definitely mean that in a rock-your-cad-soaked-gourd kind of way. I’m always impressed by the articles on the MCAD magizine website and the diverse topics they cover. They’re based out of the UK, but you can see the current issue and back issues online. This month particularly caught my attention because they cover a…

Them anteaters are huge. I was eatin’ my lasagna and all of a sudden they come stompin’ through the livin’ room like it’s a naturally inhabitable arid grassland. These links saved my life. 100 awesome hi-res Photoshop brushes – My search is over. These are all the brushes I’ll ever need… maybe. What are your…

Gone are the days of your typical PDF. Adobe is cranking up the possibilities with Acrobat Version 8 3D and they’re on top of the issues to make you look as cool as possible. I wrote previously about Acrobat 8 3D. At that time it was great with small to medium size models, but there…

You may have seen the news about Dassault’s poor earnings yesterday. Well, as suspected, PTC (Proe/E, MathCAD) is reporting higher earnings. But, that’s not the interesting part. PTC also announced they are acquiring Germany-based CoCreate, another 3D CAD System, for…get this… 250 million. That’s about $2500 per seat CoCreate reports having. not too shabby. Why…

If you think your Tuesday was bad, how would like to get 36% of your revenue taken for taxes. That’s exactly what happen to Dassualt Systemes (SolidWorks, Catia) today as they reported their Q3 earnings. Their net income fell 24% over the last 3 months due to the higher tax rates and the weak US…

The title of the post is actually a post I’ve been working on, thinking about and contemplating since the iPhone came out… then, BLAM! all of a sudden SolidWorks Labs goes and announces Drawings Now available on the iPhone. Thanks guys. you’ve ruined hours of coming up with the future of CAD and thinking of…

Wouldn’t it be nice to automate all the modeling you do in SolidWorks? There’s ways to do this but when you’re first implementing SolidWorks or need to add some methods to speed up model creation there’s a way to make adding features quicker. It’s through Library Features and this will show you what they do…

When I say we gonna get down, I don’t mean three-quarter time. 3D Abstract Art – a whole mess of interesting and inspiring 3D art at DeviantART. GigaPan – This site allows you to upload, share, and explore hi def gigapixel+ panoramas from around the globe. 25 Skills Every Man Should Know: Your Ultimate DIY…

Free 3D modeling software. Yep, that’s right Joe Lichtenberg announced at 10:54 am on the SpaceClaim Blog that you can download the Release Canidate for SpaceClaim 2007+ right here. Just fill out a short form and it’s all yours for the taking… and feedbacking. The goal of the program is to gain feedback from you,…

A nice bin always comes in handy. In one way or another we are managing or organizing something each day. There’s no limit to the frustration that seems to be associated with that for some reason. But with there’s a lot more and a lot better ways to collaborate and go home early. This article…

SolidWorks has just linked up a group of tips by some VEX Engineers for the VEXplorer Robot. The videos concentrate on tips you need to build a good foundation for modeling in SolidWorks . They’re short and to the point. I’ve watched them as they came out at CADJunky.com, but I’d recommend downloading them to…

Everybody likes to know what they are getting. When it comes to organizing files on your computer it’s not any different.Using a smart numbering system may seem like a good ideas at first, but it invariably leads an organization down the wrong path. Why? Simply put, things change. This material become that material, that changes…

If you’re thinking of switching to SolidWorks, this deal may entice you a little. If you’re buying SolidWorks before November 30th, you’ll get a $500 coupon for one of those fancy Dell Precision Workstations. Not too bad if you’ve been waiting for a good deal to come along.

Well, if you add a little style and a some hydraulic planetary gear units I’d have to say, about this big… Now, this wasn’t designed in SolidWorks. It’s a civil engineering project done by TG&P out of the UK, but looking through the Falkirk Wheel site you can imagine what could be done in SolidWorks.…

Usually, CAD business can be pretty boring. But occasionally even the most subtle movement and conversation can get interesting. Recently Autodesk had a summit on manufacturing. Sound’s exciting huh? Well, Upfront.eZine posted some highlights that have sparked the fires of speculation. If what AutoDesk says has any merit you’ll be jumping the SolidWorks ship, but…

Microsoft and Dassault Systemes announced Tuesday and Thursday that you can make 3D models inside Microsoft’s Virtual Earth with the 3DVia technology. “This free online application, developed by Dassault Systèmes, allows consumers to imagine and create realistic 3-D models — such as of buildings and structures — then share them through Microsoft Virtual Earth and…

If you find someone that really likes colors, has a bit of a strange look in their eye and giggles incessantly, grab that person cause I’m pretty sure it’s a leprechaun that has escaped. it may be rabid. Mandolux.com – a lot of hi resolution photo wallpaper for single and dual screen monitors. Up to…

That’s right, a Dell Precision M4300 laptop valued at $1500. And it couldn’t be easier for SolidWorks Users. Adobe Acrobat Users Community is running a contest for users to submit example of 3D PDFs that show the capabilities of Acrobat 3D and 3D PDFs. Other prizes include Apple iPhones, Apple Video iPods, 3Dconnexion navigation devices,…

If you’ve always wanted to participate in the SolidWorks community without leaving your desk, nows your chance. SolidMentor.com, a central location for everything related to SolidWorks has just gone out of beta…un-beta. I would strongly suggest going over and signing up for two reasons. 1) It’s a great source of information and community and 2)…

In case you may not be aware, Transformers the movie went on dvd sale Tuesday. If you want to see some sweet special effects and the Transformer named BoneCrusher created with SolidWorks rent or pick it up today.

I cam across an issue today where a composite fiberglass part had been modeled with no draft (angled faces). Production stopped because they couldn’t make it by the print and get it off the mold. A hostage situation ensued, the problem was corrected and production cheered the results. All was well, except for the unapologetic…

The innovation in prosthetics going on right now is phenomenal. With the Festo AG life-like arm an actual functional appendage for those without seems to be getting closer and closer. Dean Kamen and DARPA have revealed a little more in this peek inside the test lab at DARPA with Scott Kirsner of the Boston Globe.…

“That guy looks relaxed. what made his life so easy?” – He just implemented SolidWorks and knew how to do it. Becoming familiar with a CAD system can be a source of frustration and stress. That’s what turns people into bitter old people. We don’t want that. While some may find switching to SolidWorks from…

Things are about to get amazing in this box. That crumby video you currently see streaming online at sites like Youtube will soon be capable of using high definition technology. Social video site Vimeo has introduce High Definition to its onsite video capabilities and Adobe is about to release Flash 9, already in beta, that…

I would absolutely love not having a mess of wires wrapped around my computer desk. All-in-one computers come in different shapes and sizes. This one from Lumenlab comes in a 42″ streamline aluminum case with a 1080p screen on the front. Other feature include fanless 0db operation, 1TB of HDD storage, 2GB of ultra-fast ram…

I love sitting and waiting for a 50MB file to open, don’t you? Gives you plenty of time to take care of some bills and catch up on politics. File loading is one of the most inefficient times of the day because it invariably leads to 20 minute conversations about the best truck hitch to…

Well, it’s happening, when you wonder what the future of CAD is going to be, who is pushing development and innovation, you can mark this day. First there was the eDrawings compatibility with Sketchup around this time last year. Now, SolidWorks has co-founded a program with Google, along with Graphisoft and the Discovery Channel, that…

So, I’m wondering what you would do. Is it better to hire someone with SolidWorks experience and teach them the industry, or someone with industry experience and teach them SolidWorks? That is the question. Sometimes you don’t get both, so what do you think would work best? image: TurboForce3D

That is no excuse. A samurai always wins. I don’t care how many swords you have to go through or how many delicious cakes you have to make. Getting the two confused is very unwise indeed. 60 Advanced Photoshop Tutorials – The aboslute best! These will teach you a ton of useful techniques to use…

I’ve always disliked the ladder in this video. It’s like trying to set a mouse trap. You think he deserves what he gets?

Dassault Systemes in association with a stellar team of SolidWorks employees and community folk have launched SupplierSource Beta to give you access to a community of manufacturers. SupplierSource is being developed to provide a simple yet powerful network for the custom service manufacturing industry. Our mission is to connect buyers with suppliers in a whole…

If you’ve read my about page, you know I’m into drums, but few know I’m also a great appreciator of fine beat box break beats. Don’t know what that is? See below for the phenom Beardyman. For some more electrifying beat mix scratchy flicky bits check out beardyman.co.uk or check out my Drum Scratch Station…

What do these three have in common? They are all keynote speakers at SolidWorks World 2008. Jeff Ray is the CEO of SolidWorks who went to Texas A&M. Dr. Don Norman is the Professor who has a Lifetime achievement award. Dr. Bob Ballard is the Marine Explorer who designed the submersible camera. The keynote is…

Joel Orr from Cyon Research and COFES.com has some insight to the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) discussion. If you read his interview over at Novedge, you can clearly see he looks and sounds much wiser than me. The interview is great, because it make me think how, yeah, CAD has been around for ages, but…

I’ve always like the Harman brand home audio ever since my dad picked up some Harman/Kardon equipment years ago. When ever I search for something I start with that brand and compare. That’s why it was interesting when I heard that the Harman Specialty Group had switched from AutoCAD 2D to SolidWorks. HSG creates Mark…

Some of my blog friends were having a conversation offline about a post at PR, Marketing and the business of CAD that covered the Mechanical Media Summit where Autodesk revealed their new “forward-thinking solution” to do away with PLM. Digital Prototyping. “It is presented as a way to prove a new product, prototype it digitally,…

Have you ever dreamed of joining the ranks of the SolidWorks Elite? Yes? Well, there’s currently 5,327 Certified SolidWorks Professional and you could be the next one… for absolutely FREE. That’s darn right, pick yourself up off the ground. SolidWorks has opened up the doors to allow anyone who thinks they are worthy to take…