Have you found that some of your SolidWorks files have just been getting bigger and bigger? No, it’s not because your files have been snacking on all of those computer cookies.

The problem is due to excess display data. Basically the files are so concerned about how they used to look, they’re not concerned about how big they’re getting. What used to be a light file is now a 140MB behemoth. Like anything trying to move something heavy, SolidWorks (and likely your network) will bog down under all that weight.

I recently had a customer that had a 50Mb file that was a sheet metal plate with 4 bends and about 20 slots. The older version of the file was about 5MB, but every time he saved the file it gained 300-500KB. Even with 8GB of memory, his computer would slow to a crawl when any assembly with parts like that was running.

The good news is, SolidWorks 2011 SP3 has introduced a feature that can get rid of that excess weight. It’s easy to use, but does have some side effects. The feature is “Remove all display states.”

You can find it by right-clicking in the Display States area of the Configurations Tab. Using this feature not only removes all of the display states and custom appearances and other visuals, but it also removes all of that background display data that has been piling up. Rebuilding those visual features may take some work, but any diet usually does! After rebuilding the display states and appearances, your file will still be much smaller.

The 140MB behemoth? After the “Remove all” diet it went from 141MB to 4MB. Happy dieting!

I very well could have had this conversation while doing tech support…
Dude: Well, I can see that this is some powerful software, but it’s taking a long time to solve and things shouldn’t be this complicated.

Me: Yeah… that’s a pretty… pretty big mesh. I can’t even see the part.

Me: What are you trying to study here?
Dude: The assembly. (Duhhh!)
Me: Yeah, but what about the assembly? Is there a particular part you’re worried about?
Dude: Well, now that you’ve mentioned it, I am pretty concerned about this part.

Me: Okay, we can eliminate these parts and apply equivalent forces on the faces.

Me: Alright, let’s get started! We can use a rough mesh to find the contact forces.

Me: Now, we can eliminate the top pieces from the assembly and create split lines where we would like to apply the equivalent forces.

Me: This is a perfect opportunity to use 2D simplification. Let’s create a new study.

Me: Now, we can afford a pretty heavy mesh control on the component of interest.

Me: If we go into properties and select the option for “Improve accuracy for no penetration contacting surfaces” we’ll get the same results as before with a fraction of the run time.
Dude: Thanks Nick! You’re the best!
Me: I know… I know.

If you’re looking for a way to help you stand out to potential employers or would like to prove your valuable SolidWorks skills to solidify your current position, check out SolidWorks’ wide range of certification exams.  Here’s a link:  http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/mcad-certification-programs.htm

The CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate) and CSWP (Certified SolidWorks Professional) exams have been offered by SolidWorks for some time as a way for users to certify their expertise.  Increasingly, we are seeing employers listing these certifications as part of the requirements for available positions.  In more recent years, SolidWorks has added further certifications for working with some of the specialized tools in the program, such as Sheet Metal, Weldments, Surfacing, and Mold Tools.  In addition, the Certified SolidWorks Expert (CSWE) was introduced last year.

The cost for the exams varies from $149 for the CSWE, to $99 for the CSWA and CSWP (which can be purchased in three $33 segments), to just $19.95 for the specialized exams (Click here for more info:  https://store6.esellerate.net/store/checkout/CustomLayout.aspx?s=STR6391639620&pc=&page=OnePageCatalog.htm). 

If you’re a current subscription customer, however, you will be allowed to take a CSWA or CSWP certification as well as one of the specialty exams for free!  (check out this link:  http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/subscription/Certification_Offers.html). 

One note about the CSWE:  SolidWorks does require that you have achieved the CSWP and 3 other specialty certifications before you will be allowed to prove your “expert” skills. 

All certification exams are given online and on your time, so you can download the test and take it on your system whenever you feel ready.  When you pass, you’ll receive a printable certificate as well as logos to use on business cards or emails and you also have the option to have your name added to SolidWorks’ directory of certified users (https://www.virtualtester.com/solidworks/branding/user-portal/user-portal.html#).

So what do you need to know before taking on one of these exams?  SolidWorks’ website does a pretty good job of highlighting what is included in each exam, but I can also give you a couple pointers: 

• Take the sample test
  • Most exams offer a sample test to help you prepare and recognize if there might be some areas you want to brush up on…

• Review your training course manuals
  • All of the skills that you will be tested on are included in the training course manuals that SolidWorks provides us to train you to be proficient users of the program.  I’ve even noticed questions on some of the exams could have practically been taken right from the book!  If you have any questions about what courses would be recommended for any of the certification exams, contact our tech support team and we’ll help guide you. (support@symsolutions.com or (763)560-8600 option 4)

• When taking the test, plan ahead
  •  Look over all the questions in a segment of the test before you start your model.   Generally, the same model is used for several questions.  If you build your design intent appropriately into the model from the start so it can be easily changed, it will make your life a lot easier

Good Luck!

Rebekah Haag 

Do you ever get the feeling that your computer is doing things behind your back?  Does it take a long time to boot up in the morning?  If so, then you probably have programs running in the background that open on startup that you aren’t aware of.  To see a list of these, run the msconfig program built into your Windows operating system.

In Windows XP, click on Start, then Run, and then type in msconfig. 

In Vista or Windows 7, click on Start, and then type msconfig in the Search box.

Click on the Startup tab and uncheck the ones you don’t want to run at start up.  The next time you reboot, those programs will not start.

As a rule, I do spend a bit of time each week browsing through other blogs about SolidWorks. I find things in these blogs that are relevant to some of my support cases. Some of them are focused on SolidWorks and some highlight other software and design tools as well. Below I have compiled a list of the ones I frequent, including some that are for specifics like PhotoView/PhotoWorks. If you have others that you follow, please leave a comment with the link to share with all of our blog readers.

http://www.fcsuper.com/swblog/ From a group of SolidWorks experts

http://www.solidsmack.com/ From Josh Ming

http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/ From SolidWorks

http://www.dezignstuff.com/blog/ From Matt Lombard author of the SolidWorks Bible series.

http://www.deelip.com/ From Deelip Menezes

http://robrodriguez.com/wordpress/ From Rob Rodriguez PhotoView/PhotoWorks

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/devonsowell/ From Devon Sowell PDM