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SolidWorks Video Tip: 2009 Missing Reference Ghosting
When working with any parametric modeling package references are something a user constantly has to be aware of. Often times when you make modifications to a model, child features based off of entities changed can fail to regenerate properly due to the nature of the changes made. SolidWorks 2009 introduces some time saving enhancements that…
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SolidWorks Video Tip: 2009 Convert to Sheet Metal
The Convert to Sheet Metal feature is a new tool available in SolidWorks 2009 that allows you to quickly create Sheet Metal parts from an existing solid model. Click on the link below to see this new tool in action. The voice over is getting better….still some room for improvement though! Stay tuned….more to come!
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SolidWorks Video Tip: Flippin Tangencies
This SolidWorks Video Tip shows off an option that is easy to miss when applying Tangent Relations between Splines and Lines. If you right click on a Tangent Relation between a line and a spline, you have the option to flip the direction of Tangency via the “Flip Relation” option. As the video will show,…
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SolidWorks Video Tip: 2009 Numeric Sketch Input
Here’s a great little video tip showing off the Numeric Sketch Input function that is brand new inside SolidWorks 2009. By changing a couple of settings, some sketch entities can automatically create dimensions as you sketch and you have the ability to input your desired dimensions as part of this process. The Numeric Sketch Input…
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SolidWorks Video Tip: 2009 Materials Database
As I mentioned in my SolidWorks 2009 Enhancement Highlights, the Materials Database has been overhauled. Today we are going to take a closer look at the enhancements to the Database AND Interface along with some other tidbits. Let’s get started! Many users in the past have defined materials using custom properties. In SolidWorks 2008 the…
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SolidWorks Video Tip: 2009 Sketch Slot
New in SolidWorks 2009 is the Sketch Slot feature. This sketch entity allows you to quickly create both Straight Slots and Arc Slots in a variety of creation methods. When you use this type of sketch entity and an Extrude Boss or Cut is created from it, a temporary axis is created not only at…
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SolidWorks 2009: Weldments
The Weldment functionality received some significant upgrades in SolidWorks 2009. The general result of these enhancements will be less time spent by the user generating Structural Members and less time needed to trim/extend components. The first change we will take a look at is the ability to create multiple Groups within a single Structural Member. …
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SolidWorks 2009: Split Feature
If you have used various commands to split parts in previous versions of SolidWorks you will especially appreciate the enhancements to the Split Feature in SolidWorks 2009. When you split a solid body into multiple solid bodies using the split feature, the software requires that you use a Trim Tool to direct how the parts…
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SolidWorks 2009: Instant3D
Instant3D was introduced to the SolidWorks community in SolidWorks 2008. Naturally in the first revision since then there are a few new enhancements which are sure to come in handy. Instant3D can now be utilized in Assemblies! Using Instant3D you can modify assemblies sketches, features, & mates! It works pretty much the same as it…
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SolidWorks 2009: CommandManager & PropertyManager
Some welcome options have been added to SolidWorks 2009 in the areas of the CommandManager & PropertyManager. First lets start off with the CommandManager. SolidWorks has added the capability to dock the CommandManger on the left and right sides of the screen. (You can still dock it across the top as before.) You can also…
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SolidWorks 2009: Goodbye Colors. Hello Appearances!
One of the WELCOME changes in SolidWorks 2009 is the “consolidation” of Colors and Appearances. Colors/Optics have actually been removed from the software with Appearances left behind to manage it all. As I pointed out a few weeks ago, in SolidWorks 2008 you needed to be mindful of how you apply Colors and Appearances. Appearances…
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SolidWorks Video Tip: Generic PCB Component
In the coming weeks you will see some changes to Ricky Jordan’s Blog. The first of these changes comes with this post: The SolidWorks Video Tip. Just like the name suggests, all the content is in the video. Click on the image below and enjoy!
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SolidWorks 2008: Colors and Appearances
If you frequent any of the SolidWorks forums around the web you have probably seen discussions relating the differences and nuances of Colors and Appearances in SolidWorks 2008. This is a subject that does have a few users up in arms. To their defense, it can be a bit hard to get your arms around…
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SolidWorks Tip: Combine Isolate and Show Hidden Components
Here is a quick little video tip for you. You can combine the Isolate command with the Show Hidden Components command. This powerful combination gives you more ability to select components for view directly in the graphics window without having to search through the FeatureManager Design Tree. The Show Hidden Components command is new in…