We have been preaching to you forever about the importance of fully defining your SolidWorks sketches. Now that you have (hopefully) accepted the reasoning behind the recommendation, today’s tech tip will help you reduce the time it will take you to accomplish this task.

Introducing, the FULLY DEFINE SKETCH command. Well it was actually introduced several years ago but it may be new to you.

The Fully Define Sketch tool calculates which dimensions and relations are required to fully define under defined sketches or selected sketch entities. You can access Fully Define Sketch at any point and with any combination of dimensions and relations already added.

To fully define a sketch:
1. Edit a sketch.
2. Click Fully Define Sketch (Dimensions/Relations toolbar) or Tools, Dimensions, Fully Define Sketch.
3. Set the options for relations and dimensions in the Fully Define Sketch PropertyManager.
4. Click the green check mark.

That’s it. To simplify it even further, you can program a hotkey to invoke the command. Now that you know how simple it is to define your sketches, there is really no reason not to. Try it. You might like it. I know your sketches will be happy.

Click for Hi Res Image

Everyone knows that .pdf files are a great, simple way to communicate documents electronically. Most SolidWorks users are aware that you can create .pdf documents from SolidWorks. Did you know you can create Adobe PDF documents with embedded 3D models? You can convey complex 3D designs to all of your partners and clients no matter what tools they use. This allows the recipient to do things such as rotate, pan and zoom the SolidWorks model inside the pdf document. They can also do things such as change background colors and display styles as well as several other functions.

Now a simple right click inside of the Adobe Reader with the .pdf open and you are working in 3D.

Have you ever thought to yourself “Why did the SolidWorks developers do it that way?  It should work differently!”  Or how about “Why didn’t they find/fix that bug before they released the software?”  Or maybe you are in the camp that will never install the latest release of SolidWorks until at least service pack 2 because you are “waiting for the kinks to be worked out”.

Now is your chance to help resolve these issues before they affect you and your design team.  Join SolidWorks 2012 Beta today!  This is your opportunity to impact the quality, performance, and reliability of DS SolidWorks products while getting advanced access to the latest version of SolidWorks.

In addition, SolidWorks 2012 Beta Program includes contests where you can show off your SolidWorks skills and get points and valuable prizes for testing the software.  You can also check out the special competitions!

Download Beta today and start earning points and help shape the future of SolidWorks.

http://www.solidworks.com/beta/beta-terms-accept.htm?ref=%2Fbeta%2Fdefault%2Ehtm&qs=fromrss%3D1

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard accelerators let you perform 3DVIA Composer commands more quickly than graphical commands.

To create and manage shortcuts, right-click the ribbon and click Customize Quick Access Toolbar. In the Customize dialog box, for Keyboard shortcuts, click Customize.

Note: Single-character shortcuts, such as H to hide an actor, are hardcoded in the application and are not displayed in the Customize dialog box.

Default Shortcuts

Who needs IT?   Well, in reality we probably all do to some extent.  But let’s be honest.  IT seldom understands what engineering truly requires.  If you and the receptionist have the same computer, you are going to need some help.  Here are several tips and tricks that you can do yourself to improve the performance of your SolidWorks.  Some of them we have been preaching for years.  Some of them may be new to you.  Each one will help you performance at least a little.  Using all of the following tips should make a noticeable difference.

Here we go.

1. Save your files to the most recent version of SolidWorks. 
2. Move/copy all of your files to your local machine while you are working on them. 
3. Turn off Real View Graphics. 
4. Use SpeedPak for your assemblies. 
5. Reduce your image quality.  
6. Turn off verification on rebuild. 
7. Limit external references. 
8. Turn off all of you add-ins.
9. Modify/simplify any parts that you downloaded.
10.   Only make your sub assemblies flexible if needed.
11.   Use lightweight assemblies/drawings.
12.   Use Large Assembly Mode

These are just options inside of SolidWorks that can improve your performance.  In addition, there are settings for your computer and operating system that you can modify without needing to call in IT.

But don’t just take my word for it.  Here is a link to a fantastic video presentation from SolidWorks World 2011.  http://www.solidworks.com/sww/proceedings/proceedings-presentations.htm.  Not only will it give you additional steps to improve your performance, but the presenters from Computer Aided Technology, Inc.  also quantify how much you gain from taking these and other steps.  You will be amazed what a difference it makes.