Dual-Dimension Tolerance Rounding Tool

Use this Dual-Dimension Tolerance Calculator to convert dimensions and tolerances between mm and inches. It utilizes the “inward rounding” methodology to prevent tolerance growth or inversion, ensuring your converted limits and bilateral deviations maintain the original design intent. An aid for engineering and professional drawing unit conversion.

This Dual-Dimension Tolerance Rounding Tool is designed to be an aid for professionals who convert engineering dimensions and tolerances between metric (mm) and imperial (in) units.

Therefore, its core purpose is to address the critical risk of tolerance inversion or tolerance growth that can occur when mathematically rounding converted limits. The utility applies a methodology commonly referred to as “inward rounding,” which helps ensure the calculated secondary tolerance zone remains contained within the original primary zone. Although SOLIDWORKS has similar functionality built-in, there may be other times when this calculation is necessary but not available in a particular software.

By presenting limits or bilateral deviations derived from this methodology, the tool assists in reducing manual calculation errors and provides a valuable general reference for maintaining the part’s original design intent.

Note on Use: This utility uses the online decimal.js library for precision; so whether you download the utility or use it here, you’ll need internet access. As always, the results generated should be verified by a professional and used in accordance with your organization’s standards.

Dual-Dimension Tolerance Rounding Tool

Rounded Secondary Dimension (in)
Tolerance Range Comparison (Upper Limit is Left, Lower Limit is Right)
UPPER LIMIT (+Dev) LOWER LIMIT (-Dev)
If Sec. Nom. falls outside the Secondary Range, the condition may be invalid.

The utility is based on online sources, particular assumptions and calculations. This utility should only be used as a general reference. Results should always be verified. No one is responsible for incorrect information generated by this utility. Use thereof is the sole responsibility of the user. Use at your own risk.

DualDimensionTolRoundingTool.zip

Orlando User Group Meeting

Visiting customers in Orlando, Florida to learn from them on how to improve SOLIDWORKS applications

I’ve been to Orlando, FL a couple times in the past. Each time was for SOLIDWORKS World. For the first time in many years, I’ve come to Orlando again. But, this time I came to visit customers directly and to participate in the user group meeting for the Greater Orlando SOLIDWORKS User Group.

The user group meeting was held at Disney University, though typically it is happens at other locations in the area. We gathered around in an unusual configuration. This was sort of a roundtable discussion, rather than the more traditional slideshow or live demonstration.

In addition to participating in the local user group meeting, several SOLIDWORKS team members and I stayed longer to visit with customers to learn firsthand how they are using SOLIDWORKS products. These meetings involve directly learning from the end-users on how these products can be improve to better suit customer needs.

Exploring the Town

Did I do anything else while in town? What’s really there to do in Orlando? We did find an interesting restaurant; and after-hours we ended up at some fun locations.

Manish Kumar Announcements at 3DEXPERINCE World 2025

Three major announcements from Manish Kumar about SOLIDWORKS future, from the stage of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025

Dassault Systemes CEO Pascal Daloz talks about the Gen 7 future to enhance human know-how with new 3D UNIV+RSES.

Then, three new announces from Manish Kumar, SOLIDWORKS CEO, came at rapid-fire from the main stage at 3DEXPERIENE World 2025.

  • The Future of Manufacturing starts now, and SOLIDWORKS is leading the way. First announcement from Manish Kumar is the New Age of efficiency, innovation and success with SOLIDWORKS!
  • Manish then announced AURA, which is a new IP secure AI as a virtual companion on the platform, which learns from you, teaches you, and performs tasks for you.
  • Finally, SOLIDWORKS will launch their first solution for CPQ this summer. It allows customers to build a portfolio of highly configurable products, use them to quickly generate accurate quotes, and streamline their sales process.

CAD Monkey Dinner 2025

The unofficial kick off for 3DEXPERINCE World has become the annual CAD Monkey Dinner. This is an event held at an interesting location near the center of activity for the World conference. It happens on the Saturday evening before the conference. This year, we converged on Pitch 25, a soccer focused sports facility and bar. There was karaoke too.

DraftSight in Sight at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025 #3DXW25

3DEXPERIENCE World 2025 has nearly a full schedule of DraftSight sessions! Time to go!

3DEXPERIENCE World 2025 is about a month away in Houston, TX at George R. Brown Convention Center. There’s a variety of sessions available. This includes a full catalog of DraftSight presentations and discussions. You can build a nearly full schedule each day of the conference with just DraftSight topics.

Day 1

All of this starts on February 24, 2025 (the first full day of the conference). After the General Session, at 11AM you can join the DraftSight Keynote in General Assembly B auditorium. This presentation will be hosted by Manish Kumar, CEO of DS SolidWorks Corp.

Later that day, at 5:15PM you can attend DraftSight for the AutoCAD User in room 351. This session will cover the similarities between DraftSight and AutoCAD, including AutoLISP, UI, batch printing and more. Also covered will be similarities with SOLIDWORKS.

Day 2

The first session on Tuesday (February 25, 2025) at 11AM will be DraftSight: Explore 2025 features, BIM integration and xDraftSight. This session will introduce the new features released for 2025 to “revolutionize your 2D CAD workflows”. Special attention will be given to new BIM integration and xDraftSight.

After lunch at 1:30PM, you’ll be able to attend DraftSight: Enhancing Industry Collaboration with the 3DX Ecosystem. This session will discuss how this amazing application can be used in collaboration with advanced 3D solutions like CATIA and SOLIDWORKS, providing a robust platform for detailed schematics, technical drawings, and design documentation.

Tuesday has a full schedule with more sessions, all in room 351.

  • DraftSight Unlocked: Tips, Tricks, and Time-Saving Secrets at 2:30PM
  • DraftSight: Everything a CAD Manager Needs to Know at 4PM
  • DraftSight: Ask the DraftSight Team Anything at 5:15PM

Day 3

Wednesday (February 26, 2025) sees a shift in gears with a hands-on session at 8AM, called DraftSight: xDraftSight Hands-on. I know that name sounds like a sequel for an action movie, but this session will put you at the helm to try out an important new tool that allows you to use 2D CAD functionality on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Since this is a hands-on session, space is especially limited. If you haven’t already signed up, you may still have a chance to join if there are no-shows by the start of the session.

At 9:30AM, you’ll have a chance to show the world that you’ve got skills in DraftSight with the Certification Exams! (Check availability before you go.)

At 11:30 will be the DraftSight LIVE Closing Session to recap all the great things you learned during your time at World. Also, Steve Brazier is the Keynote speaker. Steve Brazier is a globally recognized tech analyst and the visionary founder of Canalys, a leading global tech analyst firm. Steve is renowned for his dynamic presentation style, cutting-edge insights, and bold, forward-thinking analysis. Are you ready to evolve? In an era where AI is reshaping industries and redefining roles, adaptability is no longer optional—it’s essential. 

Retrospective

It’s been a long time since I covered DraftSight topics. This old article from 2011 has some images of the original interface. A lot has improved since then.

Check out all the new enhancements and xDraftSight at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025! I hope to see you there!

DraftSight header

Things in Houston to do before and after 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025

Things to do in Houston, TX before and after 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025!

Before 2023, I’ve never been Houston, TX. It’s long been on my list of places to visit customers. In June 2023, I finally travelled to this great city where I visited several customers and presented at the local user group. In early 2024, I again found myself in town, this time to visit extended family. Well, it’s 2025, and I am again (again) travelling to Houston. This time is for 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025 (#3DXW25)!

If you are also attending 3DXW25, here’s a list of things you can do in Houston before or after the event. As always, none of these places or sites are endorsed. This is just a list of interesting things to see and do while visiting.

Attractions

Space Center Houston
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Hermann Park Conservancy
Geronimo Adventure Park
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens 
Caroline Wiess Law Building Museum
PNC Roof Garden
Holocaust Museum Houston
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Houston Zoo
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Houston Botanic Garden
Kemah Boardwalk

New suggestion from Linkedin: The Houston Presidential Heads and Giant Beatles Sculptures

Enjoying the area

Buffalo Bayou – Including Buffalo Bayou Park, Downtown area, and a 10-mile stretch between Port of Houston Turning and Shepard Drive.
The Galleria – “Luxurious shopping destination”.
Post HTX – Shopping center, art exhibition, views of the city and much more.
Chinatown– Incredible and thriving area of Asian culture, including the Dunhaung Plaza and Sterling Plaza.
East End of East Downtown (EaDo) – Neighborhood with tons of places to dine and explore just East of Downtown.

Enjoying the region

Galveston – Coastal town with a rich history.
Brazos Bend State Park – State Park with 37 miles of trails, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Sam Houston National Forest – About 50 miles north, with hiking, camping and exploration of nature
Fredericksburg – Quaint town; see a different side of Texas with craft breweries and eateries, including German influences and Tuscany-like landscapes.

Interesting facts about Houston

Houston has the largest downtown tunnel system in the US (and it is air conditioned!).1
It was founded on August 30, 1836, by brothers Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen.2
The first public television station in the US began broadcasting in 1953 from Houston.3

See you in Houston, TX at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025!