How did you learn SolidWorks?
In a previous article, I recently asked for the opinions of others about the best methods to train new employees for SolidWorks. So far, the response is split between “on the job training with a mentor” and “VAR taught introductory courses”. This is a bit of a surprize given the emphasis placed on VAR based training these days. Do others question of the value of VAR training? Is it effective? Or, is VAR training just not worth the costs or the time away from work? My own experience is that VAR training classes do not necessarily give the best benefit to new users.
The responses made me curious about something else. How did current SolidWorks users learn the software?
Loading ...SolidWorks World 2010: International Travel
The event is called SolidWorks World because it is the international convention for SolidWorks. Attendees are from many countries. The SolidWorks World website has special information to help the international traveller, available on its international travel information page. It includes passport and visa information. There is also contact details for those who require an invitation letter for a visa.
SolidWorks Labs: Watchit Widget
SolidWorks doesn’t just make CAD software. They also make Yahoo! Widgets. One cool widget from SolidWorks Labs is Watchit Widget. This widget tracks when changes to watched files. When Watchit detects a change, it populates its window with information about that file. This is useful in environments where two or three CAD users are sharing files in a single network folder. I think this is the intended use. As a bonus, this widget is also good for CAD Administrators who want to make sure network locations for support files are kept intact, as it not only tracks files, but also whole folders. The admin can track if additions are placed into the Materials Database folder (say from materials downloaded from Matweb.com). Such notification would allow the admin to then take that file and incorporate it into the company’s material database. It would also allow the admin to detect if some user has “accidentally” modified the SolidWorks template file.
Note, it might seem that this sort of application works best if placed in a corner in the “second” monitor of a dual monitor computer system.
Richard Doyle is looking for first-timers
Ok, Richard Doyle, leader of the SoilidWorks online community, didn’t say he was “looking” for folks who will be attending their first SolidWorks World in Jan 2010. He does have a message for first-timers, including useful advice and links. However, I’m sure he would appreciate comments from people who are planning on attending their first SolidWorks World. As for Richard, he has attended every one.
Windows Desktop Search (what to do?) XP instructions
SolidWorks installation may request permission to install the Windows Desktop Search. My advice is to decline this! It is not needed on any workstations. It potentially degrades performance of even the most pimped-out PC. The reason is that it is always busy updating its index. It is recommended by some that the Windows Desktop Search only be installed on servers.
If it is already installed via SolidWorks or even via one of Windows automatic updates on your workstation PC, you’ll have to jump through hoops just to get to a point where you might be able to kinda remove it. It’s like a legal virus. Once its on your PC, you’ll be engaged in a lengthy battle to remove it. I’m not exaggerating when I say it can take days. This is because in many situations even if you “uninstall” it using Add and Remove Programs, it stays on your system. To truly get it off requires some ugly hacks that should only be attempted by experienced PC users.
If it is accidentally installed on a workstation PC, there is hope. It can generally be successfully ignored with a couple of easy steps. Within SolidWorks, goto Tools pulldown>Options…>System Options tab> and under the Search heading, find the Indexing performance area. Make sure “Index only when computer is idle” is selected and choose OK. One other area that might help is also under System Options tab> under the File Locations heading. Choose “Search Paths” from the “Show folders for:” field. In the “Folders:” field, only add folders of note (removing any extra folders that do not need to be indexed).
These steps may not help other programs such as Windows Explorer, but it should help SolidWorks performance.