PhotoView 360 Camera Effects

The camera in Photoview 360 now supports additional effects. You can switch between perspective and orthogonal views. Depth-of-field controls let you create renderings where part of the image is in focus and other parts are not in focus. Example Below: Effect of Changing the Focal Length
You can add a bloom effect to the final render to create a glow for emissive appearances or areas of very bright environment reflections. Click Settings. Make changes on the Output Settings tab in the Image Processing section and on the Camera Settings tab. Example Below: Effect of Setting Bloom Image without bloom Image with bloom

FISHER/UNITECH Honored as One of the 2010 "Michigan 50 Companies to Watch"

I am thrilled to announce that FISHER/UNITECH has been honored as one of the 2010 "Michigan 50 Companies to Watch."  The "Michigan 50" is an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.  FISHER/UNITECH will be honored at an awards ceremony during the sixth annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business event, April 29th in Lansing, Michigan.

The foundation of our application for the award was our focus on social and community responsibility in 2009.  Faced with unstable economic conditions, we launched a very successful community service program to retrain displaced engineers, increasing their marketability and skill development.  While the industry was reeling from the negative impact of a 14% and growing unemployment rate in Michigan, FISHER/UNITECH announced "No Engineer Left Behind," a comprehensive training program that equated to a $250,000 goodwill investment into the local manufacturing community.  The company's efforts resulted in the delivery of three-day training classes to over 250 displaced workers throughout an eight state area.

READ MORE on the award and find out how to nominate your company for the 2011 awards.

Using Symmetry in a Fluid Flow Analysis

If you are confident that the internal or external flow contains one or more mutually perpendicular symmetry planes that are parallel to the Global Coordinate System planes, you can separate a relevant flow region by resizing the computational domain. The flow symmetry planes can be utilized as computational domain boundaries with the Symmetry conditions specified on them. Since the computational domain size is reduced, both computer memory requirements and CPU time will be reduced. Note that sometimes symmetry of both model and the incoming (inlet) flow does not guarantee symmetry in other flow regions, e.g. a von Karman vortex street past a cylinder.

NOTE: If you specify an integral boundary condition (e.g., mass or volume flow, heat generation rate) at the opening, surface or volume crossed by a symmetry plane you must adjust the input value to the symmetry condition. Flow Simulation automatically applies the specified value to the calculated area. Since the symmetry condition reduces the calculated area you have to reduce the value specified for the whole opening (surface or volume) as well. For example, if a symmetry plane halves the opening you have to specify half of the actual mass/volume flow rate to satisfy your conditions.

To specify symmetry planes:

1. In the Flow Simulation analysis tree, right-click the Computational Domain icon and select Edit Definition or click Flow Simulation, Computational Domain.
2. In the graphics area click and drag the arrow handles to the desired symmetry planes positions or specify coordinates of the flow symmetry planes on the Size tab.
3. Click the Boundary Condition tab and select the Symmetry condition for the corresponding boundaries (At X min, or At X max, etc.)
4. Click OK.

3DVIA Composer Video

Here's a quick video made in 3DVIA Composer. This video shows just how easy it is to create an animation that you can use for product documentation for your customers, or if you get a little creative a viral video for your YouTube channel. The video was created by Mike Puckett of SolidWorks Corporation.  You can read his original blog post here: http://bit.ly/diw2I1

When 360° Isn't A Big Enough Circle

On those occasions when you need to create a ring or circular object that has to extend beyond the 360° limit, you have a very easy solution!

First create your ring in the conventional manner but leave a small gap between the start and end;

Using the sheet metal tools, Unfold the object;

Now you can modify the mating edges of the ring, for example to add provide more linear distance for a stronger weld joint or perhaps an interlocking ring feature;

When the edges are finished, use the Fold command to re-form your ring;

Finally, use Configurations to illustrate and create the folded and unfolded versions of your ring for drawings and other manufacturing requirements.

Sketch - Dynamic Mirror

To help save time with sketches that contain symmetry, try using Dynamic Mirror under Sketch Tools.

You can mirror sketches about any of these entities:

• Centerlines
• Lines
• Linear Model Edges
• Linear edges on drawings

Restrictions to Dynamic Mirror Entities include:

• Pre-existing sketch entities cannot be mirrored
• Both the original and the mirrored sketch entities are included in the final result

As you sketch entities, they are mirrored about the pre-selected sketch entity.

Start and end at the centerline.

Save time and Dynamic Mirror!

High School Students Design New Year's Eve Ball using SolidWorks

This project was initiated by Hastings High School CAD students (Hastings, MI) last spring. The city council finally approved fabrication of the system in late October. We spent many late volunteer hours helping these students run final FEAs and perform the metal fabrication. It was nice to see students applying their use of SolidWorks to a real life project.

Check out the video here.

Some Statistics:

• Ball diameter 3 feet 
• Ball material Stainless Steel 
• Red LED lights 630 
• White LED lights 1000 
• Modeled in SolidWorks 2008-2009 EDU 
• Designs validated with SolidWorks SimulationXpress and SolidWorks Simulation 
• Students involved: 19 
• Adult volunteers: 6

3D Geometry, 2D Simplicity

Sometimes when modeling around geometry, it is easier to use representative 2D sketches and then combine them than it would be to create a 3D spline.  Take this studded cylinder for instance.

In this scenario I wish to run a wire along the exterior of the cylinder, wrapping around the protrusion.  To accomplish this, I am going to create two representative sketches.  One on the Front plane for the diameter and the other on the Right plane for the protrusion.

Once you have your 3D sketches in place, you can use the Projected Curve tool from your Curves Toolbar, (making sure that you have the Sketch on Sketch radio button selected.)  After that, just add your sweep and you're done!

Beware of Windows Installer 4.5 when loading SolidWorks 2010

There have been several instances with 1601 or 1603 Windows Installer errors with customers loading SolidWorks 2010. By itself, the 1603 message is rather generic. We have found that it is tied to Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5. Not all systems with Windows Installer 4.5 are affected, but those who are affected usually have Installer 4.5 loaded.

Windows Installer 4.5 is usually introduced to a system through a Windows update. You will find it identified as KB942288-v3 (32 bit) or KB942288-v4 (64 bit) under your Add/Remove Programs listing.

It has been effective to remove this hotfix which will revert a machine back to Windows Installer 3.01.

Please note that you should have your IT Professional help with this system change. Also, this only impacts Windows XP and Windows Vista users. Windows 7 users will not be affected by this article.

Please log in to the SolidWorks Customer Portal and search under the Knowledge Base for S-045137 if you would like more information.

New 3DVIA Composer Video

Here's a great new 3DVIA Composer video created by the SolidWorks team, check it out!

http://www.3dmojo.com/2010/03/08/new-3dvia-composer-introduction/

SolidWorks is hosting a monthly 3DVIA Composer webcast that entitles attendees to receive a free 30-day evaluation copy of the software.  The first webcast will be held on Monday, April 5th at 10 am ET.

• Would you like to differentiate your product by creating interactive 3D content?
• How does out-of-date documentation impact your business?
• Would you like to simplify your process and reduce the amount of time it takes to create documentation?

Learn about 3DVIA's capabilities and more by joining the webcast.  Plus, you'll receive a free 30-day software evaluation.  You can't beat that!

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS WEBCAST & EVAL IS VALID IN THE MIDWEST US ONLY.

Does your engineering team spend hours capturing digital pictures and screen shots of their designs for marketing, sales and the technical pubs departments?  Often every design change requires a new order for artwork!  This age-old system leads to workflow bottlenecks in engineering and delays delivery of your product to market.

With 3DVIA Composer, design and documentation can be created on parallel tracks, empower your sales, marketing and tech pubs departments to pull 3D CAD data on their own - with no involvement from engineering!  They'll have access to photorealistic images, exploded views for assembly instructions, scalable vector illustrations and the ability to generate animations.

For more information on 3DVIA Composer, please take advantage of the following resources:

• 3DVIA Composer Webcast - Monday, April 5th at 10 am ET
• 3DVIA Composer Video
• 3DVIA Composer Whitepaper

3DU Instructor Tip #2 – Sheet Metal

K-Factor!?!?!? What the heck is it? How does it relate to our parts unfolding?

K-Factor is a way to determine what face (or cross section) of our piece of sheet metal remains at the same length. For instance, when you bend your plate, the inside surface may shrink, stretch, or stay the same.

K-Factor can be applied when first turning your part into a sheet metal file by changing the K-Factor option only. You can also use a material based bend table by clicking the drop down arrow next to the K-Factor button and click on Bend Table. This will use an excel spreadsheet table to unfold your part to the correct lengths for any material you are using. This table could also take into account varying thicknesses related to bend radius as well.

Example A: K-FACTOR = 0, ABC stays the same in folded and flattened

Example B: K-FACTOR = .5, DEF stays the same in folded and flattened

Example C: K-FACTOR = 1, GHI stays the same in folded and flattened

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Rod Harper

3DU Instructor Tip #1 – Sheet Metal

Have you wondered when inserting the view of your flat pattern into your drawing, which way is up?

Easy, the surface you have picked as the stationary surface when unfolding will be shown in the view facing you. Edit the flat pattern feature in your tree and change the fixed face. Here are a couple examples.

RED face picked for fixed face.

BLUE face picked for fixed face.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Rod Harper

SolidWorks Web-Based Help is Major Improvement

Here is an article by Richard Doyle for Cadalyst.com: http://bit.ly/d2md9Z

The new web-based help should alleviate much of the pain users felt while searching the SolidWorks help files in the past. The new web-based search is sporting better search technology such as relevancy ranking, spell corrections and guided navigation. To get all of the details and some tips on how to use the new features click the link above. This new help system could be a valuable tool for quick issues.

Additional Workforce Investment Act Funds available in Indiana

Regional Operator Katheleen Randolph of WorkOne Northeast in Indiana just announced new funding for displaced workers in the area.  Anyone who has previously applied for funding under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was turned away is encouraged to visit their local WorkOne office and reapply.

FISHER/UNITECH is approved by the state of Indiana to offer the following software and training packages to eligible candidates for skill enhancement and career placement:

• 3DU Education Pass Basic ($1,795)
  Take one (1) in-classroom and one (1) online course.  Choose from these options.

• 3DU Education Pass Premium (3,995)Take up to 16 SolidWorks, Simulation and PDM courses.  Choose from these options.

• SolidWorks Applied Technology Student Bundle ($4,495)
  Our bundle includes:  SolidWorks Student Edition 2009 Software w/Simulation Tools (12-month license) a 3DU Education Pass Premium and one (1) CSWA exam.
  Click for more information.

• SolidWorks Applied Technology Professional Bundle ($9,495)
  Our bundle includes:  SolidWorks Office Professional 2010 Software, a 3DU Education Pass Standard, one CSWA exam and one (1) year of SolidWorks Professional Subscription Service.
  Click for more information.

For more information on how to apply for funding, or questions on any of the above packages, please contact:

Will Furlong, Business Development Mgr.
FISHER/UNITECH
3942 New Vision Drive
Ft. Wayne, IN  46845
Tel:  800-816-8314 or 260-471-1600, ext. 7221
furlong@funtech.com

How to Change Drawing Table Anchor Points

Sample use:
I want to move a Revision Table to the bottom of a drawing instead of the default upper right. When I insert a revision\new row, I want the rows to now insert in the positive direction +Y instead of the default –Y direction. This is how to set an anchor point to allow this.

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand SHEET FORMAT for the active drawing sheet. 
2. Right-click the anchor you want to set (IE Revision Table Anchor). 
3. Click in the screen where you want to add the new anchor point. 
4. Insert the desired table using the anchor point option and accept (green check.)
5. Re-select the table in the drawing and you can now control which corner is anchored in the FeatureManager Tree. In the above example, you would select the lower right or lower left corner. This will force rows to be added in the positive direction.

Missing Edges in my Drawing View(s)

Issue:

I have created the worlds greatest spring. I used a helix and swept a circle along it. (Amazing, I know.) Now I'm trying to document it in a drawing, but the views will not show the edges of the swept profile. What could be wrong?

Solution:

Although it may not seem like it, this is actually a very complex function to calculate. This can lead to the missing edges in the view. This is easily fixed. Simply go to "Tools\Options\Document Properties\Image Quality" and set the "Wireframe and high quality HLR\HLV resolution" higher.

Dimension Printing Group Announced uPrint Plus

The Dimension Printing Group announced the availability of the uPrint Plus, a personal 3D printer that pricewise falls right in between the uPrint and the Dimension 3D printer.

Key Features of the uPrint Plus:

• Color: Customers can now print concepts in eight colors:  ivory, red, blue, black, gray, nectarine, fluorescent yellow and olive green. 
• Size: uPrint Plus offers customers a 33% larger build envelope than uPrint: 8 x 8 x 6 inches (203 x 203 x 152 mm), 384 cu in (6,283 cu cm).
• Resolution: uPrint Plus users can choose from two layer resolutions:  0.010 in (0.254 mm) or 0.013 in (0.33 mm). uPrint Plus can print 30% faster in 0.013 in layers.
• SR-30 Soluble Supports: Sometimes faster is better.  SR-30 soluble supports dissolve 69% faster in agitation tanks and 46% faster in ultrasonic tanks.
• SMART Supports: Save Material And Reduce Time.  This new support structure uses up to 40% less support material, decreasing part cost and print time (average of 14%).  SMART Supports are available for all CatalystEX 4.1 users.

User Friendly:

• The uPrint Plus is easy to set-up and use with new color coded components.  Users will notice two colors:  Orange on those items that must be removed during installation, and blue on frequently used items.
• Users select their native language upon start up so there’s no second guessing their next step.
• Assembly instructions just got easier.  New step-by-step documentation with easy to follow diagrams will be included with every uPrint Plus.  

The uPrint Plus is in production and available to ship as of March 1st.  The unit will be ramping up to full production in April 2010.

Look Mom One Hand?!!!!!

Okay, you’re probably wondering, “Where’s he going with this one?”

In teaching Essentials, we, as instructors, highlight specific tools and functionality that are intended to focus the designer’s attention and efforts to the modeling area. After all, over the course of a year, extra clicks can add up.. Well here's a short cut for you….

When using tools such as the Full Face Fillet, toggling between input data in the property manager can be accomplished with a simple “right click.” (look for a green return arrow at the cursor)

First, initiate the Full face Fillet Command, then follow this by the selection of the first face. An additional “Right Click” will then toggle you to the next selection eliminating the need to slide over and manually select it in the property manager… It’s the little things……..