Manage Data for 3D Harmony - engineering data management software like
Synergis Adept is helping mid-sized manufacturers to manage their MCAD data in
SolidWorks, Autodesk, or multi-CAD environments, Jerry Waxler, Desktop
Engineering, December 2005
Users Know Best - Part 2 - SolidWorks, Autodesk, and PTC
utilize user feedback to improve their products, Louise
Elliott, Desktop Engineering, December 2005
The Spirits of CAD Past, Present, and Future - a Dickensian dream of CAD
starting from 2D files from past to 3D color files in future, John J.
McEleney of SolidWorks Corp., Desktop Engineering, December 2005
Download, Don't Draw
- many readymade 3D models are available online to
download, Mike Hudspeth, Cadalyst Manufacturing,
December 1, 2005
Mechanical CAD Checkup
- a survey of the leading MCAD companies and products,
Mike Hudspeth, Cadalyst Manufacturing, November 1, 2005
Two New Whitepapers - CoCreate's
whitepaper explains the 'Dynamic Modeling' phenomena,
Ralph Grabowski, WorldCAD Access, December 16, 2005
Reusing Hard-to-Reuse Models - six easy steps to reuse surfaces and features
from lower geometric resolution models, David Szostak of CoCreate Software,
Design News, December 5, 2005, pdf
Stay Competitive to Avoid the Far East Frenzy - addressing various
issues involved in outsourcing work from Far East, Giovanni Opimitti of Vero
International USA, Desktop Engineering, November 2005
Users Know Best - Part 1
- UGS, CATIA, Pro/E, SolidWorks, and Autodesk share
their definition of 'best practices', Louise Elliott,
Desktop Engineering, November 2005
Solid Modeling - Good Practices Part 2
- various basic tips for solid modeling, 3DCADTips.com,
November 2005
Low-Cost 3D CAD: Could It Happen?
- a low-cost 3D CAD with DWG import/export capability would be a great
market opportunity, Robert Green, Cadalyst Management, November 9, 2005
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
- UGS targets small to medium-sized companies and
Dassault Systemes follows suit, Martyn Day, MCAD Online,
October 24, 2005
Talking
Heads - Offshoring: Part II - MCAD vendors give advice to engineering
students and practitioners in the West facing global product development, Martyn
Day, MCAD Online, October 24, 2005
Solid
Modeling - Procedural and Wireframe Rules - some rules for efficiency
while working with the wireframe data of large, high precision solid models,
Richard Lowrey, 3DCADTips.com, October 2005
Solid
Modeling - Geometry Construction Tips - tips for constructing solids
such as draft surfaces, feature instances, fillets and CAD Geometry Construction
Methodology, Howard W. Stolz, 3DCADTips.com, October 2005
Solid Modeling - Good Practices, Part 1 - some tips on using blocks,
splitting a solid, and using local operations instead of Boolean operations,
Nancy Anderson-Semple, 3DCADTips.com, October 2005
Troubleshooting Solid Models - Avoid Modeling Errors - don't trim features
or surfaces, minimize concurrent intersections, more, Richard Lowrey & Don
LaCourse, 3DCADTips.com, October 2005
Troubleshooting Solid Models - Avoid Accuracy Errors - minimize movement of
profiles, accuracy vs speed, large vs small geometry, more, Richard Lowrey & Don
LaCourse, 3DCADTips.com, October 2005
Troubleshooting Solid Models - Avoid Intersection Errors - intersection
errors may be due to reduced accuracy that makes geometry slightly
non-coincident or non-tangent, Richard Lowrey & Don LaCourse, 3DCADTips.com,
October 2005
A Relationship Matures in CAE - CAM and MCAD worlds come closer as JT format
and 3DXML data become means to exchange data, John Wedrychowski, Desktop
Engineering, September 2005
Needs Analysis - analyzing needs helps to achieve customization goals, Olaf
Bellstedt of VX Corporation, 3DCADTips.com, September 2005
Customization Tips - some tips on debugging macros, batch mode processing,
and default models, Olaf Bellstedt of VX Corporation, 3DCADTips.com, September
2005
Customization Macros - generate a macro with the help of text editor with
ASCII output to create very complex and powerful applications, Olaf Bellstedt of
VX Corporation, 3DCADTips.com, September 2005
Customizing 3D CAD - customizing methods like adding commands, menus or
programs can add functionality to your 3D CAD program, Olaf Bellstedt of VX
Corporation, 3DCADTips.com, September 2005
Cautions for Solid Modeling Customization - customization in the field of
interfaces and integration can be beneficial for users of solid modelers, Olaf
Bellstedt of VX Corporation, 3DCADTips.com, September 2005
Talking Heads - Offshoring - MCAD vendors like SolidWorks, PTC and Dassault/IBM
speak on Global Product Development (GPD) effects on USA and UK, Martyn Day,
MCAD Online, September 19, 2005
MCAD with a Neutral View
- sharing MCAD data is easier if model is stored as a neutral file, although the
approach may be different among visualization and collaboration vendors, Mark
Clarkson, Desktop Engineering, August 2005
Feature-based Interoperability Goes Global - as feature-based translation of
MCAD data improves there is less need to recreate the model, David Prawel,
Desktop Engineering, August 2005
Work
Smarter, Not Harder - by investing in the right tools and procedures,
organizations can reduce the communication issues, Mike
Hudspeth, Cadalyst Manufacturing, July 1, 2005
The
3D Effect - China is now seeing explosive growth in the 3D
software market, Li Weitao, China Daily, July 25, 2005
Hybrid Modeling - Where Solids Meet Surfaces
- dealing with the relative strengths and weaknesses of solids and surfaces
techniques and telling when can one be advantageous over the other, Matt
Lombard, Desktop Engineering, June 2005
Editing
in a Multi-CAD Environment
- CoCreate’s
Designer Modeling 3D CAD software helps engineers to cope with less-than-perfect
models, Design News, June 14, 2005
CAD and the Art of Complex Machine Design - 3D CAD offers improved capacity
to visualize, evaluate, and ‘interrogate’ assembly designs and leverage
design data for downstream functions, Ved
Narayan, domain-b.com, June 15, 2005
3D JT Data
Format Receives High Interest Level
- JT is used by thousands of users across
the world for sharing data across the
company and with business partners and
suppliers, Jeffrey Rowe, MCAD Cafe, June
3, 2005 (more
visualization articles)
First Steps in PLM: PDM with Collaboration Tools
- major CAD vendors (Autodesk, UGS, SolidWorks and Dassault) have built-in
product data management that makes it easier to veer users towards a PLM path,
Louise Elliott, Desktop Engineering, May 2005
Designing Dreams: 3D CAD Aids the Process - modeling in 3D,
helps designers understand how their products will function and
interact before physical models are made, Zoe Fielding,
ferret.com.au, March 24, 2005
The Integrated CAD/CAM Solution - MCAD vendors like
SolidWorks, UGS/Solid Edge and Autodesk have integrated CAM products which helps
manufacturers to reduce costs and increase productivity, Bruce Wiener, Desktop
Engineering, May 2005
The High-End MCAD and cPDm Market Segments of the PLM Industry
- report on enterprise MCAD and collaborative product definition
management (cPDm) for the discrete manufacturing
industries, CIMata, May 2005 (28 page pdf,
may require free registration)
Boolean Operation Tips - Boolean groups and errors, using Booleans on
coincident faces, Dr. Richard Lowrey, Nancy Anderson-Semple, 3DCADTips.com,
April 20, 2005 (more
MCAD articles)
Minimum Modeling Time - using multilevel construction will reduce
modeling time, Dr. Richard Lowrey, 3DCADTips.com, April 24, 2005
Primitives - tips on how to think and work with 3D solid
primitives, Richard Lowrey, George Mock, Don LaCourse, 3DCADTips.com, April 20,
2005
Geometric Operations Part 1 - considerations during
blending, sweeping and extruding, Dr. Richard Lowrey,
3DCADTips.com, April 20, 2005 (more
MCAD articles)
Geometric Operations Part 2 - considerations when creating
profiles, chamfers, fillets, modifying splines and planning edge
sequences, Richard St. Arnauld and George Mock, 3DCADTips.com,
April 20, 2005 (more
MCAD articles)
MCAD Salary Survey
for 2004 - results from over 3,600 users reveal average
US/Canada salary of $59K, MCAD Central, May 4, 2005 (more
job and career articles)
IronCAD Donates 5,000 Seats of 3D Design Software to Educational
Institutions in 2004 - commentary by
Jeffrey Rowe, MCADCafe, May 3, 2005 (more
IronCAD features)
Intelligent
Modeling Software Makes Building Complicated Assemblies a Snap -
latest MCAD packages allows designers to build assemblies quicker and more
efficiently than ever, Mike Hudspeth, Machine Design, April 27, 2005
Developers Easing Move to 3D Design
- companies like PTC, UGS, Alibre, Dassault Systems and SolidWorks attempts
to convert 2D CAD users include features that mimic 2D software functions,
Paul Teague, Design News, April 18, 2005
PTC
and the Center for Automotive Research Forecast the Future of
Automotive Product Development
- a more disciplined process,
greater use of virtual prototypes, increased global outsourcing
and an increased importance of design are some of the trends in
product development this year, Jeffrey Rowe, MCADcafe.com, April 18, 2005
MCAD
Industry View - A February 2005 Update
- a look at how MCAD
companies fared financially during the last quarter of 2004 and
the expectations for 2005, Russ Henke & Jack Horgan,
MCADcafe.com, February 28, 2005
Inventor: Multiple Viewports - streaming tech tip illustrates how to
create multiple windows or viewports of the same part or assembly, allowing
you to view the same assembly from simultaneous camera position, Jerry Berns,
Avatech Solutions, February 23, 2005
Patterning Work
Features Along a 2D or 3D Sketch Path - Autodesk Inventor tips, Andrew
de Leon, Envision Solutions, February 4, 2005
Using Construction
Geometry in Sketches - Autodesk Inventor tips, Andrew de Leon, Envision
Solutions, February 4, 2005
Installing Additional
Standards - AutoCAD Electrical 2005 tips, Andrew de Leon, Envision
Solutions, February 4, 2005
Power Company Flips the 3-D Switch - a Canadian
company that designs
power plants made the challenging but ultimately rewarding switch from AutoCAD to CATIA and SmarTeam product lifecycle
management tools, Poonam Khanna, Computing Canada, February 11, 2005
Forcing a Join
- SolidWorks tip explores the join command, Jon Gifford, SolidWorks
Community, February 16, 2005 (requires free registration)
Going Clean, Going Green
- how Pro/ENGINEER users can prepare to make parts and assemblies compliant
with the new, more stringent environmental regulations that will take effect
in 2006, Jim Buchanan, PTC Express, February 2005
Assembly Features: Strategies for Optimizing Memory Use and Performance
- Pro/ENGINEER tips, PTC Express, February 2005
Using the Search Tool in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0
- how to search through a part or assembly for a specific feature or
component, PTC Express, February 2005
The
Perils of Trying to Overcome the 2GB Memory Limit - Part 3 - tips on
turning on the 3GB switch to boost power without causing glitches, Wayne
Tiffany, SolidWorks Community, February 8, 2005 (Part 3 of 3) (requires free
registration)
Creating
a Custom Template and Folder in Inventor - Autodesk Inventor tip, Dennis
Jeffrey, Inventor Connections, February 8, 2005 (requires free registration)
The
CATIA Star VAR Interview - CATIA reseller discusses what a new purchaser
of CATIA should expect of a reseller and what it takes to be an outstanding
VAR, Lynda Rutledge, CATIA Solutions, February 8, 2005 (requires free
registration)
Take Back the Old
Functionality - Pro/Engineer tip, Synthesis Engineering Services, February 2005
Using the Slot Dimension Options in Alibre - tutorial illustrates how to
use the Slot Dimension Options Dialog with Alibre Design Professional,
NOVEDGE, February 2005
Opening a CATIA V4 Model File in UGS NX 1
- tips on translating a CATIA V4 model file into NX, or vice versa, Erick
Martinez, UGS Community, February 2, 2005 (requires free registration)
2006
Features! SW World General Session - a report from today's events at
SolidWorks World 2005, with a sneak peak of some of the features included in
the next release, Dan Raker, SolidWorks Community, February 2, 2005
(requires free registration)
5 Tips for Autodesk Inventor Users
- productivity tips range from resizing assembly work planes to creating a
point force in Pro FEA, Hagerman Technology Bulletin, January 2005
Pow! SolidWorks Takes on AutoCAD Upgrade Woes
- SolidWorks' free DWGgateway data translation plug-in
enables AutoCAD users to open and work with DWG files
created with any version of AutoCAD, Ralph Grabowski,
WorldCAD Access, January 31, 2005
Using Symbols
- using Solid
Edge Draft's extended workflow for symbols,
SolidTools, January 2005
W3D Parse
Error When Viewing a DWF File from Inventor - Autodesk Inventor tip,
cadforum.cz, January 28, 2005
From Spatial to PlanetCAD to Avatech to Autodesk
- Avatech Solutions today is selling its MCAD quality
assurance software Proof Positive and intellectual
property to Autodesk for approximately $1.9 million,
Ralph Grabowski, WorldCAD Access, January 28, 2005
The Laser
Scanning and Point Cloud Data Roundup - explores some of the ways laser
scanning is being put to use in the CAD realm, and how
you can work with laser scan data within your copy of
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, Alexandra Pratt, Pro/E Community,
January 27, 2005 (requires free registration)
Deferring the
Automatic Update of a Drawing - Autodesk Inventor tips, Andrew de Leon,
Envision Solutions, January 17, 2005
Associating
Sketches to Drawing Views - Autodesk Inventor tips, Andrew de Leon,
Envision Solutions, January 17, 2005
Pro/E Salary
Survey 2004 - results of a Pro/E salary survey from users in the U.S.
and across the globe, including participants' personal comments, Alexandra Pratt, Pro/E Community, January 12, 2005
(requires free registration)
Using Advanced Selection
- SolidWorks tips on using the Advanced Component Selection and Advance
Show/Hide functions, which provide flexibility when selecting assembly
components, SolidWorks Express, January 2005
Assembly and Drawing Performance Checklist
- SolidWorks tips on ways to increase your level of performance,
SolidWorks Express, January 2005
Planning for Effective Training
- a list of SolidWorks training resources, SolidWorks Express, January
2005
A Crisis in Innovation? - SolidWorks CEO believes the
state of CAD product development is in good shape, and that its
standardization provides the fertile ground needed for the incremental
development of a steady stream of productivity-enhancing applications, John
J. McEleney, Desktop Engineering, January 2005
Running 32-bit CAD on 64-bit Windows
- with 3D models growing in size and complexity, MCAD
users need all the computer power they can get - and the
upcoming Windows XP Professional x64 Edition might be
the answer, Greg Corke, CADserver, January 2005
Streamlining CAD/CAM With CAE
- why today's analysis technology is no longer just for specialists, with
advice on how to choose analysis tools suitable for your purposes, Jeffrey
Rowe, Cadalyst MCAD Tech News #137, January 20, 2005
Apple
Needs to Monitor CATIA Development in Architecture - CATIA does not run
on Mac OS X, despite the fact that OS X is the most popular UNIX platform in
the world and CATIA V5 does run on many other minority Unix operating
systems, Anthony Frausto-Robledo, Architosh, January 21, 2005
Using
External Sketches in Wildfire 2.0 - Pro/ENGINEER tips, Florin Neamtu,
Pro/E Community, January 12, 2005 (requires free registration)
AutoCAD Electrical: Custom Smart Blocks
- streaming tech tip shows how the Black Box Builder allows users coming
from AutoCAD to migrate their existing blocks to be used as "Smart
blocks," Eric France, Avatech Solutions, January 13, 2005
UGS/Tecnomatix Deal Good for Mechanical Application Users - UGS'
purchase of Tecnomatix will offer benefits to the company as well as to its customers, who will
gain from tighter integration of complementary products, Laurie Balch,
Gartner, January 11, 2005
File
Conversion: SW2005/Earlier Releases - tips on backward compatibility
with SolidWorks releases, George Smith, SolidWorks Community, January
11, 2005 (requires free registration)
Changing the Order
of "Save a Copy" File Types - Pro/ENGINEER tips on using the
config option "preferred_save_as_type," Greg Kemner, Profiles
Magazine, Winter 2005
How to Update the
Drawing System Parameter "&todays_date" Before Printing- offers a method for semi-automating
the &todays_date functionality in Pro/ENGINEER
Wildfire 2.0 to reflect the date of the host computer prior to printing,
Ceferino Sanchez, Profiles Magazine, Winter 2005
Easy Axis
Justification - Pro/ENGINEER tip, Steve Register, Profiles Magazine,
Winter 2005
Top 5 Secrets About Pro/ENGINEER Machining
- Pro/E productivity tips, Jim Buchanan, PTC Express, January 2005
Creating
Pro/ENGINEER Geometry with User Defined Features - explains a fast,
flexible and accurate way to reproduce Pro/E geometry, Ronald Grabau,
Profiles Magazine, Winter 2005
ransferring Loads From Mechanism Dynamics into Mechanica
- Pro/E productivity tips, PTC Express, January 2005
Another Take on
Decals - how to enhance the realism of Pro/ENGINEER models, Jason
Baggett, Profiles Magazine, Winter 2005
Creating Mapkeys in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 - how to suppress the last
feature when using Mapkeys repeatedly in the same model, PTC Express,
January 2005
Effective
Large-Scale Distribution of Wildfire and Other Large Tools - advice on
efficiently upgrading software on a large scale, Israel Pabon, Profiles
Magazine, Winter 2005
