SolidWorks Keyboard Shortcuts

SolidWorks contains a number of default keyboard shortcuts, plus you can create your own for common commands. Here is an easy way to get a list of all keyboard shortcuts available.

1. Go to the tools menu > Customize. In the Customize dialog, select the tab "Keyboard"
   


2. Select "All Commands" for the category and check on the option "Show only commands with shortcuts assigned" - this will show a list of all your keyboard shortcuts.
   


3. You can then select the "Print List" or "Copy List" buttons to make this information readily accessible.

Mike Mason, Application Engineer

Having odd graphics issues with SolidWorks?

It may be a simple case of not having a supported graphics driver. A simple way to check and fix this issue is to utilize the SolidWorks Rx Tool. Go to Windows Start > All Programs > Solidworks Rx. Select the Diagnostics tab from across the top of the Rx Window. It will take a moment to review your system, and the first diagnostic test at the top reviews your graphics information. It will tell you whether your graphics card and/or your graphics driver are supported by SolidWorks. If the driver is not a supported driver, it will even have a button that when clicked on will download the correct driver. Download the driver, but before installing it, be sure to uninstall your old driver and reboot your system. -Ben Taylor, Application Engineer

SolidWorks World 2010

Learn how you can work faster and be more efficient. Choose from over 150 technical breakout sessions led by SolidWorks users and industry experts.

Network with other SolidWorks users, Solution Partners, resellers, and SolidWorks employees.

Explore the latest 3D CAD technology, offered by more than 100 exhibitors in the SolidWorks Partner Pavilion.

CSWP & CSWA Certification

Register to attend SolidWorks World 2010 and take the Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) or Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) exam alongside other SolidWorks users—at no charge!

2009 Highlights

Check out highlights from last year's SolidWorks World. This year's SolidWorks World promises to be the best ever. View photos and videos from 2009 and get a feel what is in store for SolidWorks World 2010.

Design Automation is Included in EVERY Seat of SolidWorks

With DriveWorksXpress, you first capture dimensions and features so they can be controlled and driven. Then, the next step is to build rules to determine what new variations should be generated based on values entered into a simple form. Some of the benefits are automating product lines, reducing design time, and responding faster to specific customer requests.

Here are some You Tube videos to see how DriveWorksXpress can be used:

• Specify a custom gate and generate all the models and associated manufacturing data along with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeMESdq2Svk&feature=player_embedded


• Create custom wheelchairs with preferential options. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIfSpZ49FLc&feature=player_embedded


• Specify a child's play structure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39CadZzIX-g&feature=player_embedded

Join us this Friday at 10am PST for an indepth look at DriveWorksXpress.

To sign up for this free webinar, click HERE

Getting a Good Foundation in SolidWorks is Essential

Next Level offers a five-day, comprehensive SolidWorks Full Essentials course each month at the University of Phoenix in Clackamas. You'll learn how to use the SolidWorks mechanical design automation software to build parametric models of parts and assemblies, and how to make drawings of those parts and assemblies.

The lessons include sketching, intro to part modeling, modeling a casting, patterning, revolved features, shelling and ribs, part editing, sketch issues, design changes, configurations, design tables, using drawings, and the creation and use of assemblies. The last day of class is spent on how to manage files within SolidWorks. You'll explore file structure, file references, file associativity, and how to manage a multi-user environment. We then finish up the last day spending time on preparing you to take the CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate) exam.

Our next SolidWorks Essentials class is August 10-August 14. To find out additional class dates, course offerings, pricing and funding info, call 866-445-6537 ext 109 or send an email to mindy@nextleveles.com.

SolidWorks Launches Trade-Up Program

Are you envisioning an upgrade from AutoCAD to SolidWorks? Here's how we are making it easier for you to influence your decision makers to make this a reality. SolidWorks just launched a trade-up program which includes some significant discounts on SolidWorks Standard, Professional, or Premium.

To be eligible for this program, contact Next Level Engineering Services by July 31st to register for a free productivity assessment at your location. After we have spent time with your organization and have completed a review of your current product installations, we'll recommend a tailored SolidWorks solution. This includes the projected savings along with the promotional pricing. The discount pricing offer ends August 31, 2009.

To register for the trade-up program call 866-445-6537 ext 109

Free Webinar - How to Re-Use 3D CAD Data for Technical Documentation

Are you a technical publication professional looking for a way to use 3D CAD data to create documentation like assembly manuals, or catalogs for your website, or maybe you need animations for the shop floor? Are you faced with tight deadlines to get your publications completed on time? Do you need to get 3D CAD data from engineering departments, but need to find a better way to get what you need without taking them away from their own demanding schedules?

As a technical documentation expert, you may be working with manufacturing companies and following some of these existing processes. Are you creating document layout using software such as Adobe Illustrator, PageMaker, etc.? Are you tasked with getting images from CAD engineers in the form of screen‐captured low resolution JPEGs? Do you have to recreate isometric images using non‐3D software to suit the documentation needs? When the designs change, do you have to "redo" most of the images, adjusting balloons, part numbers, adding/removing components from step‐by‐step procedures, etc? Are you finding that this is time‐consuming and frustrating?

Join Next Level for an informative and free webinar about how you can use 3DVIA Composer to revolutionize the way you create your technical documentation.

Next Level's 3DVIA Webinar will be held

Friday, April 17th from 10am - 11am PST.

Click here to register for this webcast now.

or use this registration link

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/248936897

Benefits of using this software tool:

3DVIA Composer allows non-CAD users to create associative 2D and 3D product documentation directly from CAD file programs without ever having to run a CAD program yourself.
Some of the CAD Formats used with 3DVIA are SolidWorks, Pro/E, CATIA, STEP, and IGES.

3DVIA Composer fits in the existing process between design and documentation to convert 3D data into usable images for documents. 3DVIA Composer allows others to access 3D CAD data without risking accidental change to critical 3D CAD data.

Manufacturing and service departments can now replace the text contents with pictures to represent step‐by‐step procedures with exploded and rendered views.

The return on investment is realized in terms of time savings in updating these pictures in legacy documents and work instruction sheets as design changes.

3DVIA Composer helps controlled or automated updates of all the geometry and metadata changes from CAD to published documents. If your company wants to go paperless, this tool helps you to do just that, as your procedures can be communicated in a CD or over the web by using 3DVIA Player and animations.