Every now and then, I get the question “How do I find a particular node in the mesh?” The most likely reason for the question was to diagnose the cause of a solver error message that referenced a particular node.

The solution is simple yet tricky. The solution can be obtained easily by doing the following:

1. Right click on the mesh folder and select “List Selected”.
2. Choose either nodes or elements based on what was indicated in the error message.
3. Select the component(s) from the solid body/surface body folder in the SolidWorks FeatureManager Design Tree, and hit Update.

This will list all the nodes/elements in the mesh.

Now comes the tricky part – having to scroll inside the small list-window (in the List Selected property manager) until you find the required node/element. A good enhancement to this would be to allow the user to key in the node/element number and thus avoid having to replace the up/down arrow keys on the keyboard prematurely!!

DriveWorks has released its seventh service pack for version six. (Version 6.7 for all you cool cats out there.)

A few of my personal favorite changes:

• Can drive custom properties in drawings (always been able to drive them in parts and assemblies…FINALLY we can do drawings!)
• More control over the themes in DriveWorks Live (so your web users get a nice user experience)
• Now we can change the sheet name in a drawing where it was difficult to do so before.

If you stand back and look at all the drawing improvements/controls that have been added in this sixth release, you gotta wonder how anyone made good looking drawings in the past!

Think you need to keep your AutoCAD around because you have a bunch of custom programming? Not so fast my 2D friend! DWGeditor supports four different APIs:

• LISP programs are supported. [Some existing AutoCAD AutoLISP programs may require some “massaging” to work with the DWGeditor.]
• C and C++ programs are supported.
• VB programming is supported.
• Dialog box design for LISP and SDS programs are supported via DCL (Dialog Control Language)

By the way, did you know that lisp stands for: Lost In Stupid Parenthesis? I know all of you lisp programmers LOVE that joke!

It is always amazing what you learn just from watching someone else “drive” SolidWorks. This is my next post in a series of awesome, amazing, tips & tricks that I learned just sitting in some of the presentations at SolidWorks World 2009 in Orlando, FL.

ADJUSTING SPIN BOX INCREMENT

Want to change the SPIN BOX INCREMENT in SolidWorks 2009 without actually “changing” it ??

Piece of cake ! When you are in a dimension modify box and ready to use the spin box to change the dimension, hold down the CTRL key while you click the spin box (or roll your mouse wheel) and it will modify the digit to the LEFT of the spin box increment by that value. Hold down the ALT key while you click the spin box (or roll your mouse wheel) and it will modify the digit to the RIGHT of the spin box increment by that value !

For example… Let’s say that your spin box increment is .1in and the dimension you are modifying is 1.00in. If you just click the spin box (or roll your mouse wheel) the value will change to 1.10, 1.20, 1.30 etc… If you hold down the CRTL key the vaule will change to 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, etc… And if you hold down the ALT key the value will change to 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, etc…

Play with it a little and you will see how it works…
Could be a pretty good time saver !

A few weeks ago during the big snow storms, several of our tech support guys could not make it into the office. Apparently they were desperate, they asked me to help.

That is a tough job! I gained a ton of respect for the support technicians. I thought I would pass on a few tips in hopes it will make their life easier, and in turn help you get even better support.

• If you call, leave a message. This makes it easier for them to call you back.
• If you call and leave a message, leave your phone number. This makes it easier for them to call you back. (I could not believe how many calls that went like this: “Hey this is Joe, call me back.”!)
• If you email or call, leave a short message telling them what the problem is:
  1. If more than one technician is on call, your issue can be routed to the guy best suited for the issue
  2. If they know what the problem is, they can look up the issue and maybe even have an answer before they call you back. *Double Bonus* If the tech knows the answer he can give it to you if he has to leave a message! -Can save hours of phone tag!
• If you know your SolidWorks serial number, that is also helpful -if they need to contact SolidWorks with the issue.

Obvious? Ha, I would have thought so too!

It is always amazing what you learn just from watching someone else “drive” SolidWorks.

This will be the first post in a series of awesome, amazing, tips & tricks that I learned just sitting in some of the presentations at SolidWorks World 2009 in Orlando, FL.

CONVERTING ENTITIES

Normally if you are in a sketch, pick a face of a model, and hit CONVERT, it will only grab the OUTSIDE boudary edges of that face.  What about if you want to grab any INTERNAL edges on the face ??? (i.e. edges of holes, pockets, etc.)

Well, check THIS out !    If you pick the face, AND one EDGE of any internal feature (cut, pocket, etc.), then hit CONVERT ENTITIES it will convert all of the outside and inside edges !!

Awesome !