I’d like to invite you to the next local SolidWorks user group. The Miami Valley group (www.mvswug.org ) will be meeting at Gander Mountain in Huber Heights on August 25th at 5:30 pm. If you haven’t been to a SolidWorks user group meeting or haven’t been in a while, make plans to stop by. It is a great opportunity to learn and share how to best use SolidWorks and the many tools available in the software. The other great reason to come to the user groups….. networking. It is a great way to meet other people in the industry. The old saying is sometimes true, “it isn’t what you know but who you know”. Come out and meet other designers and engineers facing the same challenges that you face each day. I am sure you will learn something to take back with you that will make you more productive.

Date: 8-25-2010
Time: 5:30-8:30pm
Location: Gander Mountain, Huber Heights Ohio

Agenda:

5:30-6:15pm – Registration, Networking, and Food
6:15-6:30pm – Opening Remarks
6:30-7:30pm – Jeff Moore Presenting on Workflow Tips & Tricks
7:30-7:45pm – Break
7:45-8:15pm – Open Mic
8:15-8:30pm – Discuss Next Meeting, SWUGN Technical Summit 9/21, Wrap Up and Prizes

RSVP to ovapres@yahoo.com if you plan on coming!

If you have taken the SolidWorks Essentials class, then you know about the SYMMETRIC RELATION and how it can be used with entities INSIDE your sketch.
But, you may not have thought of using it like this…

Using a construction line IN a sketch and:

1. Edges of the model OUTSIDE of the Sketch.

OR
2. Planes OUTSIDE of the Sketch.

OR
3. Two Temp Axis OUTSIDE of the Sketch.

So I guess all the enhancements in 3DVia Composer 2010 just weren’t enough. Now available is Composer 2010x with a brand new ribbon-style interface. Just like Microsoft introduced in 2007 with its Office products and just like SolidWorks introduced in 2008, Composer has a sleeker than ever look with a ton of new tools that are going to make you smile. Click the link below to see all the new functionality demonstrated by yours truly.

What’s New in 3DVia Composer 2010x

Once you do get your hands on this new release, don’t forget to use the new right-click shortcut menu! It’s almost too good to be true, and I guess that’s why I forgot to use it throughout the video demonstrations.

Earlier this month 3DConnexion announced new capabilities with their 3D mice. These new capabilities will bring increased navigation intelligence to the design process. Specifically, 3DConnexion 3D mice can now automatically follow a designer’s point of interest and continuously determine the optimal center of rotation, enabling an easier and more intuitive exploration of the largest models and the smallest details. In addition, the center of rotation can now be seen at all times via an icon, further, enhancing the navigation experience.

For those individuals who already own a 3Connexion device, this new feature will be available later this month via a free 3DxWare software update and will support SolidWorks 2005 – 2010 on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

For those of you who have not yet made the investment in a 3DConnexion mouse, what are you waiting for? Right now 3DVision Technologies is offering a “Try and Buy” program where 3DVision Customers can try any of the 3DConnexion mice for up to 30 days under no obligation to purchase.

If you are unfamiliar with 3DConnexion mice, they deliver a level of comfort and control that is not possible with the traditional mouse and keyboard. Users engage both hands in a balanced and cooperative work style with one hand using the 3D mouse to select, create or edit.

Don’t get left behind, check out our full line of 3DConnexion products by visiting our online store today!

Carrie Cavanaugh
Marketing Manager
3DVision Technologies

So as if HD wasn’t enough for the 2D world of television, ESPN recently announced that they are going to begin broadcasting sporting events in 3D.  This is all going to start with this year’s World Cup taking place in South Africa in June.  I am a huge fan of sports and obviously a pretty big fan of 3D as well.  However, I have no idea what to expect when I see football players scattered across my living room.  A lot of questions are beginning to pop into my head…  Where will we get those goofy glasses?  Will they be delivered in the TV Guides?  Are TV Guides still being printed?  Are companies going to begin producing “stylish” 3D glasses?

Anyways, my biggest question is – If 2D televisions are going to start displaying in 3D, what can we expect of 3D modeling software interfaces in the near future??