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.

Update on the SolidWorks Economic Stimulus Package

If you have been trying to find the link to download the SolidWorks Student Design Kit, here it is! Starting on Monday, April 6th, you can click here and the software is yours for 90 days. You must be in the US or Canada to take advantage of this offer. In addition to the software, this economic stimulus package also includes:

• Videos and tutorials


• Online forum


• Discounts on SolidWorks certifications

We'll be adding some supplemental support in our US and Canadian territories (Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alberta). Call for details at 866-445-6537 ext 109.

Free Webcast this Friday - Sharpen Your SolidWorks Skills

Join us for Next Level Tech Talk this Friday!

This week, Mike Mason will be hosting our Friday webcast, Next Level Tech Talk-Design Library. These webcasts cover different topics, are held every other Friday, and are led by our fully certified SolidWorks instructors, just one of the benefits you are entitled to with your SolidWorks subscription.

If you have found the the design library in your task pane, but are not sure about how to use this feature, you should join us to get a more complete understanding and to learn how save time by re-using data. I checked in with Mike to get a preview on what you'll get out of this week's webcast, “I plan to start off with some review of how the Design Library works. I’ll go over how you can organize your data, the benefits of storing common parts, assemblies, features, annotations, blocks in the library, and then I’ll show the type of folders you can work with.”

The main part of this webcast will focus on how to save out library features and annotations and also on how to build a custom library feature. “This area is not well covered in training, and I thought it was a good topic to go over,” adds Mike, “ I plan to cover all aspects of making a library feature, so the user can see just what is possible to customize, things like configurations, hidden dimensions, references, using design tables.”

To register for Next Level Tech Talk-Using the Design Library, click here

Highlights of SolidWorks 2009 SP3

After 2 weeks at Early Visibility, SolidWorks 2009 SP 3.0 was released to SolidWorks Subscription Service customers. Run the SolidWorks Installation Manager to get the latest and greatest. Check out the Download Only option to avoid interrupting work until you’re ready to install. Maybe tomorrow morning, maybe at the end of the day!?

383 separate SPRs have been addressed in SP3 of SolidWorks 2009 in the areas of PhotoView360, CircuitWorks, Flow Simulation, Simulation, Motion Simulation, Routing, SolidWorks API and Workgroup PDM. Some notable highlights include:

• Instability in editing of Weldment Trim feature has been addressed in concert with improving creation of multiple End Caps within a single feature.
• Utilizing Insert Part with the Launch Move Dialog option has been stabilized in part modeling aspect of SolidWorks.
• SolidWorks Routing has improved handling of Custom Elbows, restored support for Reducing Elbows and improved performance of Edit Route functionality.
• SolidWorks Simulation has improved automatic detection and creation of Joints between beam elements.
• SolidWorks Simulation has stabilized copying of shell thickness definitions between studies.

To review all SPRs for all releases and service packs for SolidWorks (2009-2004 inclusive) visit the SolidWorks Customer Portal at http://customerportal.solidworks.com/ Login, select Downloads and Updates then Fixed SPRs

To learn more about Early Visibility Releases and Beta Programs visit the SolidWorks Customer Portal at http://customercenter.solidworks.com/, Login and select My Profile

Been Laid Off? How We Can Help in a Down Economy

Next Level Engineering Services is busy putting together an Economic Stimulus Package for mechanical engineers who have been laid off. Our plan is to help engineers and designers improve their CAD Skills and to be more marketable to potential employers. If you are eligible, you can receive a free 90 day SolidWorks evaluation, free SolidWorks training and discounts on becoming a SolidWorks CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate). For more info, email: mindy@nextleveles.com

How Can Next Level Help You With SolidWorks?

Next Level Engineering Services is a certified SolidWorks reseller and authorized training center. We are currently in our 5th year supporting engineering and manufacturing companies in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada. Our fully certified technical professionals bring several years experience in the 3D CAD, CAM, FEA, PDM, and PLM software markets and services.

With a background in mechanical engineering, Next Level's founding partners operate a company with a consultative approach to providing industry leading technology and related services to design and manufacturing businesses. Customer care and support is the absolute focus. Our company prides itself on providing the highest level of support and service to companies of all sizes, from the single desktop user to the large enterprise.

SERVICES

SolidWorks Sales and Support
Certified Training –For Current Schedule Click HERE
Process Assessment & Improvement
CAD Implementation
PDM/PLM Implementation

SOLUTIONS

Mechanical CAD
When you have an idea for a great product, SolidWorks software provides the tools you need to create an accurate design in less time and at a lower cost.

Design Validation
With the powerful design validation tools in SolidWorks software, you can easily subject your designs to the same conditions that they’ll experience in the real world.

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
With SolidWorks Enterprise PDM , even distributed design teams can manage product data, share design information, automate workflows, and improve collaboration between engineering and manufacturing.

Technical Documentation
3DVIA Composer simplifies and enhances your organization’s ability to create 2D and 3D images and animation for a full range of product documentation.

If you would like to set up a consultation, contact your Next Level representative at 866-445-6537 ext 109.