Layers of clouds for Dassault Systemes Part 1: Ray of light
What are clouds good for? Can they repair a flat tire or drop kick an attacking ninja? Can they jump over the moon or plant apple seeds across America? Well, no, because these are all physical acts. However, cloud computing does have the potential to support just about any computer application. In the world of computers and Web 2.0, cloud computing consists of reliable services accessed through data centers and built on servers (either on-site or remote). Clouds often appear as single points of access for consumers’ computing needs for particular functions. This means that the term cloud can pretty much describe any internet interaction.
Why is Larry Ellison playing down clouds?
Larry Ellison recently tried to play down the hype about cloud computing in a rather self-serving comment.
I can’t think of anything that isn’t cloud computing. The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women’s fashion.
Of course Ellison would say something like this. Oracle’s entire technology is database server based. Though still technically a cloud, the Oracle approach requires substantial investment from customers for massive internal networks, clients and servers. So, now Ellison makes comments that appear to be nothing more than sour grapes.
More companies are now offering much more than just the software. They are offering a service that runs their software and the service of the hardware itself. Because of this, the investment required by their customer substantially drops. No more are the banks of dedicated servers or expensive client computers. No more are the service contracts with bloated and unresponsive computer companies. No more are there IT help desk requests that require staff to be tangled in a web of wire and dirt under clients’ desks. There are no more fights over who is responsible for what systems. All of these troubles get shifted to the service provider, who can specialize in such matters.
Where’s Oracle in all this? According to Ellison’s comments, it seems they want to offer more of the same old systems with all that overhead for their customers. They recently even shut down Agile’s only actual cloud service, leaving many of their customers high and dry. Perhaps their focus is not on providing any service to their customers at all? Who knows? It does appear they are too focused on an outdated delivery system for their product.
The Future is Cloud
On the other hand, leaders such as Bernard Charles, CEO of Dassault Systemes, are committing to a business model that could potentially offer unlimited types of applications on cloud. Big announcements by Jeff Ray at SolidWorks World 2010 appear to be part of an enlightening initiative to show that any type of application can be cloud-run on a common backbone. If 3D CAD, PLM/PDM, simulation, and “lifelike experience” can be run on an Enovia backbone, just imagine what else may be supported. Such as, weather computer models, shopping websites, medical records, research, complex computational algorithms for cutting edge theoretical formulae for a grad’s doctorial thesis, CT Scan and MRI 3D images, military systems, unmanned vehicles, and even AI. (We can even say this future cloud is in the metaphoric sky linked up with many other clouds. Let’s call it Skynet, a la James Cameron. Ifowomols.)
Though no Enovia products are yet available from SolidWorks, there is the promise of two layers of clouds for its customers. The first layer is CAD file management (product design management). The second layer is the ability to cloud-run SolidWorks itself. I, and others, may have concerns about the form these clouds take, but they appear to be here to stay. As such, they also represent storm clouds that herald a changed game.
Take away this from SolidWorks World 2010: Cloud
Posted by fcsuper in CAD Mngmt, News, PDM, PLM, Photographs, Product Review, SWW10, SolidWorks World on February 5, 2010
SolidWorks World 2010 Convention Banner
The buzzword at SolidWorks World 2010 was “cloud”. There was a running gag at the convention, take a shoot of “espresso” (or whatever else your mind can imagine) every time someone uttered the word “cloud” in a presentation or speech. If this game was real, we’d all be dead from alcohol poisoning, er I mean caffeine overdose. All this talk about cloud computing involves creating a new SolidWorks branded interface that uses Enovia technology as its backbone.
According to Bernard Charles, CEO of Dassault Systemes, and Jeff Ray, CEO of Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation, this marriage of SolidWorks with Enovia will bring new functionality, capabilities, and advantages to SolidWorks customers. The first product of this new approach is the brand SolidWorks PLM. The first release of a SolidWorks PLM product will be later this year, according Ray. I’m not sure of the exact name for that first product, but they did use SolidWorks Product Data Sharing at one point.
SolidWorks Product Data Sharing
It’s my impression (at this point in time) that the initial release of SolidWorks Product Data Sharing will not have the full functionality that many users need. A demonstration showed some of its capabilities, which are very rudimentary when compared to Enterprise PDM or SmarTeam. The main focus for the new application appears to be an advanced communication tool, and not an actual functioning PDM or PLM.
The user interface will take on two forms: web client and SolidWorks add-in. In the add-in, users may upload files from a window pane within SolidWorks. They may add comments. If more than one person is logged-in, the comments can function as a real-time chat. Functionality will allow users to invite other non-SolidWorks users via the web client version. Files will have previews, including assembly trees that graphically layout relationships between files. In the web client, 3D viewing of files will include on-screen commenting (redlining) within the view.
Security of the Cloud
Jeff Ray claims the workspace of the new cloud applications will be secure. In fact, Jon Hirshtick is adamant in his belief that cloud computing is far more secure than having data on local hard drives. This doesn’t come from opinionation. It actually comes from experience. SolidWorks is currently fighting a person who stole the source code for a SolidWorks application and is trying to sell it. The person was a former employee in India who stole the code by simply copying from his hard drive and walking out with it one day. Having this data on a cloud network with encrypted access may’ve prevented this theft.
Going the course
Ray pounding the pavement at a Reseller lunch
Charles and Ray pounded the pavement at SolidWorks World 2010 to get their message across. Despite any flak that Dassault Systemes gets for their new direction, they are going to stay the course. Enovia V6 is the future of Dassault Systemes. Bringing SolidWorks in line with that future is a priority. Charles stated that Dassault Systemes is not divided into SolidWorks and Enovia V5, it is united as V6.
I asked Ray a question about which form the new products will take. The answer, for now, was only that they will offer their customers the choice to remain with their current system or use the new system. In my view, this is corporate speak for “its going to replace what is currently on the market and although they will not leave customers high and dry, they will likely begin to reduce focus to the current system.” But I could be wrong.
Concerns?
Now, in this article, I’m simply reporting on the new direction of SolidWorks as presented to everyone at SolidWorks World 2010. I do have very real concerns about this new approach, which I will cover in a separate editorial (hopefully within a few days).
Top Ten Enhancement Requests for SolidWorks World 2010
As with each year, SolidWorks World lists the top ten enhancement requests as choosen by SolidWorks users.
#10 Simplify Video Card Requirements – I’m not sure I entirely understand the scope of this request.
#9 Exploded Views for Weldments – Cool.
#8 Option to Dangle Children Instead of Deleting – This should be much higher on the list, in my opinion.
#7 Graphical Map of Reference – Ok, sure.
#6 Allow More Types of Assembly Features – Cool.
#5 Better Utilization of Processore Cores – Yes, definately. SolidWorks is years behind the curve.
#4 On The Fly Equations in Dialog Boxes – Yes!!!
#3 File Compatibility Between Versions – YES!!!
#2 Increase Stabilty – Yes, but what does this really mean?
#1 SoldWorks Should Cleanly Uninstall Itself – I agree with this too, but is this really something that affects a lot of people on a daily basis?
Enhancements planned for SolidWorks 2011
Posted by fcsuper in Drawing, Model Assembly, News, Part, Product Review, SWW10, SolidWorks World on February 3, 2010
There were a lot of new SolidWorks 2011 functionalities that were demonstrated in today’s general session. There’s a long list of improvements. SolidWorks presented most of these improvements as part of an on-stage skit, so it was difficult to keep track of all the discussed changes. However, this is my best attempt to give a nearly complete list:
Parts
- Revolve will be extrudable “up to surface”
- Defeature feature allows for the removal of internal features of a part to protect IP.
- Real View is “fully customizable”
- Display Manage that controls settings such as color, transparency, etc.
- Photoview 360 now has a preview menu within SolidWorks Works
- Animation can be pre-rendered
- Further improvements have been made to memory usage and optimization
- Within Non-linear simulation, planar simulation allows the user to run simulation on a 2D slice of a part to save time; also, that 2D slice can be projected back to the 3D part.
- Feature lock!
Drawings
- Dimensions spaced evenly and in the right view (on new views, or to correct existing views)
- Thumb wheel to change spacing of dimensions
- Dual dimensions allowed in hole table
- Weld tables now available in drawings
- Weld callouts can be automatically added to a drawing
Assemblies
- Chamfers and fillets can be used for weld prep
- Cut sweep allowed
- Weld gaps with actual geometry
- Walk thru function, just like video games
- Multiple piping enhancements
James Cameron Press Conference
Using the word “press conference” is often a sure way to scare readers away. I hope that doesn’t happen now. There’s nothing boring about James Cameron (as far as I can tell). He can discuss a range of topics, using simple terms peppered with “big words”. He can seamlessly use the words “buttload” ”proxy resolution” while discussing the same thought. Cameron describes himself as someone who tries to evolve himself outside of the Hollywood culture. Instead he opts for other areas, such as what he calls the “NASA culture”.
He promoted large displays. According to Cameron, 7 million large screen TVs were sold in 2009, and are slated to double this year. When it comes to stereoscopic technology (3D movies), the display is “racing ahead of content.” There needs to be a lot more movies such as Avatar. International soccer is already embracing the new technology by recently showing their games in 3D.
When asked why he was working on a camera to be sent to Mars, yet he will be going to the bottom of the Marianas Trench himself, Cameron stated that it is easier to control a robot on Mars than 7 miles down on the ocean floor. He also stated, “I believe in the physical present of the observer” and that controlling robots are “not as much fun” as being their in person.
When discussing the origin of the creators in Avatar, Cameron alluded to some mythical inspiration, but that the 10 foot tall blue characters were actually based on a dream his mother had once. Jokingly, Cameron said that he told his mother he would make a movie about them someday.
When asked about his environmental message, he did iterate, “people need to be inspired to go into the environmental sector” to make our civilization better. Technology is causing many of our problems and we will need to think and design our way out of those problems.
