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‘CAD’

3D Holographic Touch or Kinect for CAD?

09 Nov, 2011 by Josh Mings in CAD
3D Human CAD Models

Who cares about the Cloud, when the ability to grab our models is out there? Virtually, that is, in a very awkward, ‘why is this sneeze guard in front of me’, ‘dangit I spilled the ranch dressing on the sunflower seeds’ type of way. Yet, as we fall down the rocky gorge of 3D software technology, with each sharp outcropping shattering another rib as we smile gleefully at the pain and possibility of unlimited data manipulating potential, the idea of direct interaction with our model becomes more real. All compounded and emotionally secured by endless iterations of 3D geometry that haunt our dreams throughout the night. Fabulous times. But, which way will it go? Will we touch the 3D data or will it simply see where we are and adapt accordingly? Or both?

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How to Create 3D Non-Planar Sweeps in SolidWorks

11 May, 2011 by Josh Mings in CAD

Sweeps. That’s what we love. The stringy morsels of 3D modeling that makes a part all the more difficult (and interesting) to create. Sweeping a profile along a path couldn’t be easier in SolidWorks. A profile, a path, bend it to your will with a few guide curves – perfection achieved. But what if you need to sweep a profile along a non-planar edge? What if the profile needs to be centered or offset from the edge? There’s a very simple way to do it that can bring a lot more detail to that plastic part or profile design.

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5 Unconventional Ways to Promote SolidWorks Mastery (and Avoid Being Stabbed)

06 Oct, 2010 by Josh Mings in CAD

You know how it goes. You’re sitting hunched over the keyboard with a coffee in one hand, spinning your model around while singing “Weeeee little bird!” in your highest pitch, when a knife comes flying over the cubicle wall. That… can cause a mess the janitor is not use to cleaning up.

Besides taking voice lessons, there are other ways to be not-so-annoying when reveling in your 3D modeling mastery, most of which will keep sharp object from entering the space inhabited by your skin and organ sacks. Here are five to start with along with some custom SolidSmack 5-minute sketches to make it all less boring.

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How To Really Create Vector Graphics of Zombie Monkeys in SolidWorks

11 Aug, 2010 by Josh Mings in CAD

I appreciate a good zombie monkey. They’re a rarity and usually make for better sport than other types of chronically drooling, undead monkeys.

So, if you’re like me, it’s pretty obvious that you may want to create some usable data from a 2D drawing or graphic of a zombie monkey. Maybe you want to create a logo for your title block or maybe you want to grab the profile to start a model. You can do it in SolidWorks, and really… it couldn’t be easier.

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SolidWorks Smart Components. How To Make Them Work In Large Assemblies.

26 Jul, 2010 by Josh Mings in CAD

Before you pucker your lips up into your nasal cavity at the sight of something called Smart Components, take a breath. You’ll want to know about them if you haven’t used them already.

Smart Components automatically put features into parts when you mate them into assemblies. They take a little bit to set up, but the results simplify a lot of repetitive modeling and external references. Then there’s the issue of working with them in Large Assemblies. Nothing tells how to man-handle them…

…but you’re in luck. SolidSmack reader, Patrick Girvin, figured out how to trick SolidWorks into obeying your will when it comes to moving, grooving and organizing your Smart Components. Here’s how to do it…

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GoEngineer. GO Getcha Some of This SolidWorks Training

11 Jun, 2010 by Josh Mings in CAD, RESOURCES

In the wide, wide, wide world of 3D training videos, there’s a lack of unfamiliar voices speaking dubbed over video of a guy picking around in your favorite CAD program. Not to worry. A small band of tech support pros on the West coast is putting that to an end.

GoEngineer is a SolidWorks reseller bangin’ out the lessons and some fancy videos on the new GoEngineer YouTube channel. They keep updating it constantly with tips and training on a lot of topics that keep your mind spinnin’ when starting to use SolidWorks.

We won’t complain that they’re not making us pay for it. We will complain if they stop making the videos though. From sketching circular patterns to creating an administrative image, they will school you in the ways. Go check’em out.

Whip Your Model Using SolidWorks Direct Editing and Move Face

19 May, 2010 by Josh Mings in CAD

You’re a hardcore SolidWorks model whipper, but maybe you haven’t flipped the program over to see what kinds of features lurk on the bristly backside of the history-based beast. What features are these?

Direct Editing features. Do not FEAR! These are some that have been there in one form or another for some time, but with SolidWorks 2010, they get their own toolbar and a wee bit of added functionality… ya know, to make them useful at times. We’ll pick one of the features apart, Move Face, and whip it silly with tips to show you how it works.

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How to Use a SpeedPak to Crank up Assembly Performance in SolidWorks

28 Apr, 2010 by Josh Mings in CAD

At the center of all that is possible within a SolidWorks assembly model sits the standard bearer of complicated surface geometry villainy… a component that won’t let the darn thing load.

Who knows what it is – CPU, OS, RAM, imported parts, geometry bunions or maybe a new user that patterned his name on every surface. Regardless, there are times when you need to load an assembly model, instead of watching it load and crash. There are a few things you can do. A SpeedPak is another.

SolidWorks SpeedPaks can alleviate the deep emotional abrasion of big-ass assembly modeling and make those assemblies perform more like you want them to. Here’s how to rock it.

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The Super Quick Way to Get Nerdy With SolidWorks Assembly Densities (Without Touching the Parts)

21 Jan, 2010 by Josh Mings in CAD

My math teacher hated me. She would beat me unmerciful and use sounds of warrior robot apes fighting over canned meat in equations in a feeble attempt to stifle my creativity… It didn’t work. And neither did her or anyone’s warnings of manipulating the estimated mass of objects.

In SolidWorks you can apply materials to your solid geometry to get a weight. You can also add your own densities to approximate a weight, so that, based on the volume of, lets say, a robotic ape face, you’ll get a mass that works perfectly to strike fear into the minds of others. In doing so, you may find a need to manipulate mass here or there. I’m here to lead you astray and show you a few tricks that will aid in your endeavor.

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SolidWorks Back-up Options. They’re No Party, but They Do Shake the Booty.

22 Sep, 2009 by Josh Mings in CAD

The least exciting part about modeling objects in 3D is, without a doubt, the back-end administration stuff. Glorious procedures like making sure users aren’t changing selection colors, adding jacked-up macros or forgetting to back-up their work.

There’s nothing quite like shoving Giggabitties of SolidWorks 3D models onto your local hard drive. It makes that hard workin’ computer run so much smoother, doesn’t it? SolidWorks back-up settings. I’ve never used them. Actually, I did, long ago, then I turned them off. You?

Now, I’m thinking a little different about storage and wonder if you’d like to take another look at back-up options. Yeah?

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