Javascript disabled.

We use clean, safe Javascript to make our sites easier to navigate. Please consider enabling Javascript for this site.

Hey Look. SolidWorks 2009 Videos.

07 Aug, 2008 by Josh Mings in NEWS
3D Human CAD Models

Have you ever seen pictures that move? I hear they call it ‘Video‘ or something. I also hear that there are some snazzy ‘video’ demos of the new SolidWorks 2009 functionality at a place called ‘the YouTube’.

Sounds kind of personal to me, but I checked it all out and I think you’ll like what you see. In fact, I’ve been told I can ‘embed’ them into this post. Now that sounds dangerous, but I’ll dare to do it anyway, just so you can have a peek at what’s in ‘em.

After this, be on the lookout for more moving pictures from the mysterious YouTuber only know as FFequals66.
(more…)

Martin JetPack: The Kids Will Want One

06 Aug, 2008 by Josh Mings in DESIGN

Of all the things you could use to get from point A to point B, the best and most obvious choice for the future, I’m convinced, will be the Jetpack. Martin Aircraft Company is making sure of this with the first mainstream jetpack to hit the market.

Efficient personal transport is certainly a hot commodity these days. News and video have been circulating about this fancy contraption, but what we’re most interested in is how and with what it was designed. But first some gritty details.

(more…)

Craving 3D Multi-Touch Holograms? This May Help.

05 Aug, 2008 by Josh Mings in TECH

I see you wavin’ your hands around like your folding laundry, but that imagery floating around you is just all kinds of freaky… OHhhh, those are holograms and your moving them around with your knuckles and those sensors in your hands. I shoulda known.

It’s here. Obscura Digital is using their multi-touch technology along with the Musion Eyeliner 3D holographic system to get an on-stage interactive display that will boggle the senses.

The first and obvious use for this is presentations that will keep you more entertained than any motivational speaker could ever hope to. A bit to involved for the like of us CAD people ya think? There’s no haptic feedback and there would be the whole projector, software, IR setup that could get a bit pricey. Still, it’s a move closer to moving 3D stuff around in free space without the need for a mouse and keyboard. Video after the break.
(more…)

Design My Idea: Your Invention Designed in SolidWorks

04 Aug, 2008 by Josh Mings in DESIGN

I imagine if you’re a regular reader of this colorfully pleasant blog you are perfectly capable of modeling a design idea up in SolidWorks. If you’re not, this site will help you realize your creative genius.

DesignmyIdea.com can work with you on a design and give you some guidance on how to get you’re idea out to the masses.

“Our designers have extensive knowledge and experience in the following CAD programs: ProE Wildfire, Rhinoceros and SolidWorks.”

(more…)

SolidWorks 2009 Unleashed. New Features, Killer Performance.

04 Aug, 2008 by Josh Mings in NEWS

I’ll tell you right now, get ready to break into song if you are a SolidWorks user. In a few months, you are going to wake up, putter off to work and see that familiar splash screen pop up when you start SolidWorks. But this time it’s different, this time it says SolidWorks 2009.

Can you feel the excitement? No? Well, maybe you’ll shed your seasoned skepticism after you read this article. We are going to tear the covers of SolidWorks 09 before Beta even takes it’s last breath.

SolidWorks (hearts) users
You either love, hate or haven’t even used SolidWorks 2008, but the development team at SolidWorks has been busy on the next version that aims to please any one of those people. Their goal is simple, a big freakin’ focus on performance and scalability. What does that mean? They want all the feature to reach a level of usability that hasn’t been achieved before and they want the users to drive it. Let’s see if 2009 is living up to that.

(more…)

Friday Smackdown: Spider Magnets

01 Aug, 2008 by Josh Mings in SMACKDOWN

It actually happened right after I turned it on. They spilled out like beans on a metal floor, attacked my metacarpals, and ate my biscuits. If it wasn’t for your quick thinking and these links, we would all be goners for sure.

Blow Up – Cause blowing down doesn’t work as well, this computer and web app make your Flickr photo account look mighty cool. Brings on that full-screen feel if ya know what I mean.
The Impact of Imagery on Design – A website can look cool, but what is it that makes those images standout? Let go here and talk about it.
Tiny Everything Light – It’s a Web Cam + Microphone + Fan + LED Light. You’ll never have to leave your desk for all four of these ever again.
Lifehacker’s Favorite Software and Hardware – Take a peek at what the editors at lifehacker depend on daily to bring you all those ingenious tips.
Cuil – The new search engine on the block that got flack from all the tech blogs. Neat but needs some work.
No Spend month – Think you could do it? huh do ya?

More 3D CAD News Than You Can Shake A StickMan At

31 Jul, 2008 by Josh Mings in NEWS

I know you all get excited when you have the chance to read about CAD news and the excitement happening around our tiny globe. This week has been chock full of interesting tid-bits of info.

There’s so much in fact, that I didn’t even get a chance to tell you about them earlier, so I’ve compiled a special post you can bookmark and comeback to this weekend to find out what’s been going on.
Here’s the rundown.

(more…)

180+ SolidWorks and 3D CAD Users to Follow on Twitter *Updated*

31 Jul, 2008 by Josh Mings in TECH

Twitter = accessibility. It has opened up clogged lines of communication and expanded personal and community networks around the world and it just keeps getting bigger, I tell ya.

When some of us were on months ago, there’s wasn’t much buzz on the 3D CAD side of things. That has changed big time in the last couple months and there’s suddenly a growing base of users and CAD companies represented.

I’ve gathered them together for ya. This is everyone I know of on Twitter involved with SolidWorks and 3D CAD. If you have more or need a correction, let me know and we’ll keep the list updated.

Update!!!!!!!
This list started with only 40 people in July 2008. Now, there are literally hundreds of SolidWorks and 3D CAD users on Twitter. So, as of April 20th, 2009 this list is being handled directly through Twitter! This makes it much easier for you to follow all the CAD people that have joined! Visit @CADTwitList on Twitter to see all the friends below and more that have joined. See ya on Twitter!!

(more…)

Why Your SolidWorks Models Suck… Memory Out of Your Computer

30 Jul, 2008 by Josh Mings in CAD

“Stop. You’re killin’ me. My models are immaculate. It’s the software that’s the problem.” A lot of people get riled up about bad performance and poor stability, blaming it on the SolidWorks software. I have too. But who would of thought it could actually be the way the models are created… by ME?

Great, huh. You were probably skipping through the fields of 3D CAD model euphoria and now I’ve gone and ruined it all by telling you the way you model affects your load times and how many crashes you have in SolidWorks.

Should it matter what you do?
Today, I’m going to say ‘yes’ to that question. What you slap across the screen can affect performance. So, let’s talk about some of the initial options you have in SolidWorks that make your models suck the ever-living resources out of the pit of ‘puter processing power and what you need to do to make SolidWorks life more stable.
(more…)

Microsoft Surface Goes Spherical. Better Curves for 3D CAD?

29 Jul, 2008 by Josh Mings in TECH

Isn’t display technology just wonderful? No? You want something curved? well, if you’re not happy with the flat Microsoft Surface with multi-touch, get ready to literally wrap your hands around the Spherical version.

Microsoft Research took the globular multi-touch screen out of the box today to reveal just how gaming, advertising and messing around with photos will never be the same. Of course, nobody think of 3D CAD when it comes to this technology. What could it change?

(more…)