What’s New SOLIDWORKS 2022 – Hit List

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What’s New SOLIDWORKS 2022 – Hit List

Installation –

Admin Image types (option) Standard, Remote, Compressed

Remote – allows users to download image from internet / SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal instead of from company VPN

Compressed – smaller download, but must use full package at each service pack upgrade

SOLIDWORKS Electrical – new client or server specific installation options (easier for multi-user environments)

PDM – vault views can now be deployed as part of an Admin Image

Copy Settings wizardcan now adapt to System Options distributed and locked with Admin Image

 

User Interface –

New message bar pop-up at top of graphics window

Quick Copy utility for Measure tool – allows 1 click copy of values or values + units

Command Search now integrated in Shortcut toolbar (and can be directly added to toolbar)

Drawings saved to PDF can now include the sheet / paper color

Reference Geometry display and selection during Mate, Measure or Pattern.

While in the command hover mouse over faces or cylinders press [Q] to momentarily display reference geometry for selection.

Additional options for Component Tree display to show various combinations of Component Name, Description, Configuration, and Display State.

 

Sketching –

Linear sketch entity is now usable for direction reference in patterns

Sketch textnow works in patterns

 

Parts –

Coordinate systems – can be set with exact values in 3D space (independent of a geometry reference to select)

Coordinate systems – can be referenced or selected by its origin, an axis or plane

Cosmetic Threads – better display, retains proper depth and edge attachment

Draft Across Parting Lines – now draft can be applied in both directions from a parting line as 1 feature

External Threaded Stud Wizard – an extension of detailed Thread Feature that builds the stud with threads at 1 time

Hole Wizard Slots – dimension to arc center option added, hit [Tab] to rotate 90deg while placing feature.

Hybrid Modeling – allows mesh bodies (after BREP conversion) to be edited with surface features and combined with solid features

Segmented Mesh bodies – converted mesh bodies can have faces turned into classic BREP

Mirror about 2 planes – with 1 feature creation

Rotate Section View– around a hole or axis

Thickness Analysis – now offers Resolution control with Low, Med, High tessellation sizes

 

Model Display –

Performance improvement for 3D textures and silhouette edges

 

Sheet Metal –

Edge flanges on curves can now apply edit profile to limit the feature extents

Etched contours on bends (sketch text or split lines) retain display in flattened state

 

Structure System & Weldments –

Structure Systems now supports end caps

Custom Properties of older version weldments (2017 or earlier) can be upgraded to newer property architecture

Improvements in Complex Corner property manager

Ability for multiple secondary members (using between points, or up to member methods)

Connector Elements for Structure Systems now supported

Can include cut features as connector is placed.

ImprovedCustom Properties dialog for Structure Systems and Weldments bodies

 

Assemblies –

(x) Automatically optimize resolved mode, hide lightweight mode

Improves performance by letting system control lightweight use behind the scenes (behaves as resolved to the user)

Open Subassemblies in Different Mode– right click option to load subassembly as LDR or Resolved (independent of upper assembly current mode)

Exclude from BOM – custom configuration property for components

Configuration Table – Design Table functionality without needing the embedded Excel sheet  (file size / performance / no excel ???)

Section View – option toexclude failed componentsand still create section view

Assemblies and components with equations will auto resolveas needed, if loaded lightweight

Move with Triad– automatically appears when more than 1 component selected

AdditionalQuick Mates options on In Context Toolbar

 

Detailing & Drawings –

Alternate Position Viewsnow allow cropping

Predefined Drawing Viewsnow support trimetric, dimetric, or flat pattern types

Detailing Modeimprovements – available for any version file, Save model data and include standard views performance options added

Geometric Tolerance frames now build dynamically on screen 

Radius / Diameter dimension display toggle now on incontext bar for easier access

Sheet Metal flat pattern views can now show bend lines when sketch display is hidden

Handling of detailed cut lists within BOMtables is improved

Symmetric Linear Diameter Dimension is added 

 

Import / Export –

Performance improvements forimport of large DXF/DWG and STEP files

Ability to select specific IFC Entity types from the files for import

Assigned colors of entities properly support in DXF/DWG export

 

PDM –

Improvements with Windows AD integration: additional user data fields, profile import, login validation tools

Improved configuration property managementand control

Archive Server and User log export capabilities added

Preview Tab now shows full eDrawings viewer controls

Performance improvementsfor file operations even when database has higher latency

 

Manage –

UI improvements for BOM, Project Properties, Process Tab and more

Additional user rights controls over check out of items

Replace User capability added

Performance improvements for BOM and Project display as well as PDM check in/out

 

Simulation –

Blended Curvature Based Mesher is now default for new studies

Bonded and Contactperformance improvements

Linkage Rod Connector item

Improved solver performance and automatic solver selection

 

Visualize 

Tools to set camera perspective to matchbackplate

Shadow catcher property can be assigned to scene elements

Scenes Tab UI improvements

Animations improvements for motion studies, key frames and more

Render Output Viewer – in project viewing, control, and management of renders

Pattern Tool – replaces and improves prior Formation function (Vee, Circle, Scatter, Grid)

 

CAM 

Toolpath endpointscan be set for a custom color for easier viewing

Filter for Mill & Turn tools containing specified text string

 

Composer –

Ability to import SOLIDWORKS appearance decals

Import file versionextensions: ACIS up to 2021 , Creo 7, SOLIDWORKS 2022

 

Electrical –

Links in BOM cells – allows multiple items to reference 1 mfg part

PDF data file support for Project PDF exports (bind PDF function)

Multiple UI improvements

Attribute capability added to Origin & Destination arrows (shows mark of connected component)

Electrical Content Portalcan now be set as dockable panel in UI

Improved Connection Point creation

 

Inspection –

New API– auto open SOLIDWORKS files, Balloon drawings, create reports and more

Standalone now supportsall native SOLIDWORKS files and NX/Unigraphics *.prt files (MBE)

Smart Extract in standalone has improved recognition and parsing of PDF file content

 

MBD 

HTML(5) exportoption on 3D PDF creation

Angle Dimension manual annotation for DimXpert added

Geometric Tolerancingimprovement including ANSI Y14.5 or ISO 1101 release selection

 

eDrawings –

Support for SOLIDWORKS custom file properties when saved as eDrawings files

Components list UIimprovements

 

Flow Simulation –

Scene Plot utility – stores all displayed plots and model display

Compare Tool improvements

Range Function – for handling of transient effects (such as power derating due to temperature calculation)

Flux Plot – now available within Transient Explorer

 

Plastics –

Symmetric & Cyclic Cavity and Runner Layout tools

Injection Location Advisor – based on part geometry software selects up to 4 recommended injection locations

Polymer materials data updates (using latest manufacturer properties)

SABIC, Polyplastics, Solvay Specialty Polymers, Radici Group, LANXESS

Improved UI of Plastics Manager Tree

4K and higher displayresolution support

Solver performance improvement – cooling calculation time reduced 34%, Fill & Pack reduced 60%

 

Routing –

Flatten Routeimprovements for horizontal selection, and line only output

Connector backshellsupport added

Replace Connectorcapability added – preserves line connection where possible  

 

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    How to Produce an Adaptive Form with DriveWorks

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    How to Produce an Adaptive Form with DriveWorks

    By Marco Chery – SolidXperts Application Specialist

    What is an adaptive form?

    DriveWorks projects created using responsive forms adjust their content regardless of the size and orientation of your device screen, whether it is a computer, tablet, or smartphone. This eliminates the need to swipe the web page from left to right to see content and the user’s browsing experience is more intuitive.

    Why should you use them?

    • For the dissemination of DriveWorks projects on the web;
    • Improved user navigation;
    • Access the project anywhere from any device.

    A Few Tips

    The easiest way to make your forms responsive is to use Frame Controls on the main page. From this main page, the windows will allow you to see the content of your different forms.

    First, define the location of your viewing windows for the resolution of a desktop computer.

    Second, create a plan to switch these windows to the screen of a phone and tablet.

     

    Third, determine the borders for switching windows between different device resolutions. For this, we use a special DriveWorks variable: FormContainerWidth.

    • Phone Resolution: 320 – 640 pixels
    • Tablet Resolution: 640 -1200 pixels
    • Computer Resolution: 1200+ pixels

    Fourth, for each zone, we can create variables that will position the window taking into account the different resolutions.

    Finally, we import the variables to the main page, in the layout section for each type of viewing window.

    Conclusion

    This method ensures your DriveWorks project forms are adaptive and attractive, regardless of the device on which they are viewed.

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      SOLIDWORKS Visualize – Video Decal

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      SOLIDWORKS Visualize – Video Decal

      By Nikita Lambert – Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert (CSWE) at SolidXperts

      You may have already said that your rendering is acceptable, but that it seems to be missing something, that your image lacks life. SOLIDWORKS Visualize now has the solution for you: You can now create a video decal and apply it to any surface of your model. For example, a cellphone company could put a clip showing the operating system in action on a newly designed device, an animated background plan outside a window, or even a television playing your favorite series! The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

      To take advantage of this 2019 innovation, simply go to your Appearances tab, Add, New Decal, and finally Video. Browse and search for your video file and you need only apply it to your project.

      SolidXperts teams can help you become true 3D experts! An additional question? Need information?

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        Exporting SOLIDWORKS Visualize to Nvidia Holodeck

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        Exporting SOLIDWORKS Visualize to Nvidia Holodeck

        By Nikita Lambert – Application Specialist at SolidXperts

        Nvidia has developed a collaboration platform to allow engineering, sales, marketing, and management teams to interact with a design still in the development phase, using virtual reality technology.

        This platform allows you to transport yourself to the interior of a 3D modeled building, in front of a podium showcasing your newest products, or even into a virtual meeting room with your VR headset.
        SOLIDWORKS Visualize can export your completed project to an Nvidia Holodeck-supported format.

        All appearances, environments, and lighting will be automatically recorded, all you have to do is explore the almost infinite possibilities of this new mode of communication.


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          How to Update PDM Add-in Tasks

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          How to Update PDM Add-in Tasks

          By Elene Teolis – SolidXperts PDM Application Specialist

          If you use tasks in PDM, SW to PDF file conversion for example, during a New Version or Service Pack update the PDM Administrator must also update the add-in tasks to take advantage of new features, improvements, or fixes. The same procedure applies to updating the basic programming add-in, Dispatch.

          Here’s how to do it:

          • PDM Administration Tool > File > Open:
            Go to > C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS PDM\Default Data
          • Open > C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS PDM\Default Data\Convert_gb.cex

          Here are the complements available and the associated tasks:

          • To update Dispatch, open Dispatch.caf
          • Drag and drop SWTaskAddIn (import only the add-in) from the window on the right, in Add-ins on the left:

          Note: If you have a dedicated workstation that performs tasks, you will need to log out and reconnect to PDM to ensure that you have the correct add-in.

          • Reply Yes to ‘Do you want to replace with the new object?’

           

          It’s that simple. The add-in is now up-to-date!

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            How do you Install SOLIDWORKS as Quickly as Possible?!

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            How do you Install SOLIDWORKS as Quickly as Possible?!

            The SolidXperts Technical Support Team is here to assist with software installations and updates for all clients who have purchased a license with us.
            You can contact us by telephone at: 1-877-824-3324, by email:
            soutien@solidxperts.com, or simply submit a request in the Client Portal: https://solidxpertsportal.force.com/support/portal_login

            Ask us to send you our direct download link for installation files without having to go through the SOLIDWORKS site. Then if you wish, contact us for remote assistance with a member of our support team. We can remotely control your computer if you are not very familiar with the installation process or simply because you want a state-of-the-art installation!

            We can take this opportunity to install our UtilsXperts toolbox, developed by our team of programmers at SolidXperts. You will be able to optimize your productivity and design products more efficiently, faster, and more profitably.

            SAVE TIME!

            For an additional fee, we also offer a hassle-free service to help you centralize your data in order to facilitate the management, customize your settings, and also standardize your data, BOM tables/revisions, and default models for better collaboration within your Engineering team, across your entire CAD system. Contact a Support Team member today for more information!

            Rather than waste time with lengthy installations on all your stations, let us do it for you!

            Our Xperts are always ready to assist you.

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              Access your SOLIDWORKS from Anywhere

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              Access your SOLIDWORKS from Anywhere

              Written by Tech Support Group Director – Trung Ha

              Did you know that you can access and use your SOLIDWORKS from anywhere? Users can simply log in with their SOLIDWORKS ID on the MySolidworks website and launch their SOLIDWORKS! SOLIDWORKS online licensing is available to all customers regardless of their subscription status. The SOLIDWORKS Admin can reassign an Online License at any time, as long as the license is not in use by the user.

              SOLIDWORKS online licensing is a new model that ties one or more licenses of SOLIDWORKS products to a user’s SOLIDWORKS ID. With SOLIDWORKS online licensing, users have the flexibility to install and use SOLIDWORKS products on as many machines as they wish, without having to activate or deactivate machines every time. SOLIDWORKS’ customers can access all the products they are entitled to by simply login in using their SOLIDWORKS ID. All they need is a connection to the internet.

              The Admin can select an asset and change it back from online licensing to machine activation at any time using the toggle option in the detailed product page if the license is not in use by the user.

               

              To create a SOLIDWORKS ID:

               

              SolidNetWork Licenses are ideal for medium to large size companies that want to share a pool of licenses over multiple users. On the other hand, single-user licenses with SOLIDWORKS online licensing are ideal for individuals that have their own license and want the flexibility to use SOLIDWORKS on multiple machines.

              Only one user can be assigned to an Online License product.

              SOLIDWORKS online licensing is available for the following single-user license products:

               

              **Perpetual and temporary licenses are supported. SOLIDWORKS PDM and SolidNetWork Licensing (SNL) are not supported with online licensing. Home Use Licenses (HULs) are not currently supported.

              Don’t hesitate to call the Technical Support Call Center and let us do it for you!
              One of our specialists can help you configure it remotely.

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                Sheet Metal – Exceeding the Length or Width Dimensions of a Raw Material

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                Sheet Metal – Exceeding the Length or Width Dimensions of a Raw Material

                By Frédéric Jacques – Application Specialist – SolidXperts

                Do you want to avoid designing sheet metal parts beyond the dimensional limits available? Add an alert (sensor) to your SOLIDWORKS model.

                Step 1: Display the View Orientation Cube

                Display the flattening of your sheet metal part. Make sure the sketch of the viewing cube is not in hidden mode.

                Step 2: Hide the Volume Body

                Hide the solid body to show only the fold lines and the viewing cube of the unfolded part. To do so, unfold the display status bar in the creation tree (Feature Manager). Right-click on the body displayed in the open tab and select hide volume body.

                Step 3: Place a Reference Dimension

                Now you can see the sketch of the viewing cube automatically created by a sheet metal part in SOLIDWORKS.  This represents the overall volume of the part and you can place a reference dimension on the length, width, or thickness. Be careful not to select sketches that represent bend lines.

                Step 4: Create a Dimension Sensor

                Include a sensor. Right-click on the sensor icon in the creation tree and select “Add a sensor”. Select a dimension sensor and submit the desired conditions.

                Sensor type = Dimension
                Properties = Select the reference dimension that has been added (13.37″)
                Alert = Check the box “Warn me if the value = …”
                Select “is greater than” and write the value not to be exceeded. (15″ in the example)

                Step 5: Check Sensor Operation

                Finally, display the volume body again, and apply any modifications to your part in the folded state. A warning message is then displayed in the shaft if you are no longer within the defined values of the sensor.

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                  The SolidXperience Group Reveals Designs to Mass Produce Custom Ventilators in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

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                  The SolidXperience Group Reveals Designs to Mass Produce Custom Ventilators in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

                  St. Laurent. April 3, 2020 – A journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step. For The SolidXperience Group, that step happened on March 21st, 2020 on a couch in the socially distant living room of CEO, Alex Habrich. While watching the news with his wife, Susie, both growing increasingly concerned with the spread of COVID-19, she came across an advertisement for the Code Life Ventilator Challenge. Knowing him and the abilities of the people he employs, it was the perfect opportunity. “I know you can do this – go save lives”. That was all it took!

                  Our directive was clear: Design a low-cost, simple, easy-to-use, and easy-to-build ventilator that could serve COVID-19 patients, as quickly as possible. The following day Alex asked for volunteers, and a diverse team was curated from three companies and various backgrounds.

                  “This project is a collaboration of people from both Canada and the United States, with everyone teleworking!” – Alex P. Habrich, The SolidXperience Group CEO

                  Within 24 hours a team was gathered, within 8 days the designs were submitted to the challenge hosts, and within a month The SolidXperience Group will be testing a fully functional prototype of the complete OXYGEN field-ready ventilator system.

                  “It feels like drowning is”, the most common report from the COVID-19 patients requiring breathing assistance, and with that imagery, we took inspiration from the simplicity of a scuba breathing apparatus. The SolidXperience Group officially began tackling the problem on March 23rd, ready to help save the world however they could.

                  The group quickly decided the best course of action would be to produce a machine that could both conventionally connect in a hospital setting and run as a stand-alone unit in developing countries or emergency overflow.

                  The next step was to analyze the given product specifications and start creating schematic diagrams defining the required parts and showing how those parts interact to create the desired results. With the help of the project’s panel of medical advisors, the group was able to take the initial schematic designs and modify them as a collaborative team. All online!

                  Then commenced several fast-paced days of editing, revision, discussion, and decision. Affordability always being a key factor. The device needed survivability, an intuitive setup and user interface, easily maintained and replaceable parts, and it needed to be kept as inexpensive to manufacture, in mass, as possible. This iterative process proceeded until March 29th at which time schematics were finalized. With the engineering in place, product design took off.

                  Next, packaging: getting all the required components to fit into a manageable, transportable, robust, easy-to-operate, and reliable case. Under the pressure of the CODE LIFE contest entry submission date of March 31st, this process was successfully started and completed on March 30th. Concurrently, the digital interface was coded to manage the internal valves, solenoids, and sensors necessary to provide a clear and secure on/off readout and warning alarms.

                  11:58 p.m. March 31st, 2020 – The SolidXperience Group successfully submitted their entry to the CODE LIFE Ventilator Challenge and walked away with a new purpose.

                  Inspired by how quickly and efficiently his team was able to redesign the ventilator system while physically separated and baffled by the inflated asking price for current machines, Alex decided regardless of the outcome of the contest, The SolidXperience Group would produce their more reliable and less expensive ventilators.

                  The fight isn’t over yet, however! In the coming weeks, several more steps need to be taken quickly to meet the hopeful deadline of May 1st for a functioning prototype. As the physical pieces of the first construction are gathered the interface code must be tested and refined, and the assembly must go through a series of tests and simulations to determine that it meets pre-set standards and can be labeled ‘medical grade’.

                  Both companies in The SolidXperience Group, SolidXperts, and Mecanica Solutions, eagerly look forward to stepping out into the world, continuing our thousand-mile journey, and doing what we can to help save lives all over the world.

                  Thank you to the following team members and professionals for their part in the success of this project!

                  Galin Brankov
                  Mélanie Giroux
                  Heather Gliniecki
                  Alex Gosselin
                  Alex Habrich
                  Nikhil Kaila
                  Nikita Lambert
                  Chung Ping Lu
                  Alexandr Magder
                  Sheldon Magder
                  Steven Murphy
                  Jean-François Niaison
                  John Nolin
                  Sakineh Orangi
                  Rod Peck
                  Michael Prioriello
                  Alain Provost
                  Charles-Olivier Provost
                  Raphaël Reid
                  Erica Saunders
                  Benjamin Whatleym

                  Check back regularly and follow us on social media to never miss an update. Reach out to us with any questions.

                   

                   

                  Wash your hands, stay home, and stay safe!

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                    New Visualization Tool for your SOLIDWORKS Assemblies

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                    New Visualization Tool for your SOLIDWORKS Assemblies

                    BY:  RENÉ POTVIN, PROGRAMMER SOLIDXPERTS

                    Here is a new visualization tool for your SOLIDWORKS assemblies related to values from your PDM. As an example, rapidly visualize the parts that are “for approval”. Identify the parts “suppliers” vs “fabricated” parts. See in a glimpse the parts that are specific to a PDM category. All this is in the SOLIDWORKS graphic window.

                    This tool allows the selection of a categories list, workflow, and variables present in the vault and visualizes the parts that correspond to those criteria in SOLIDWORKS. It is also possible to assign colors to the components that contain those criteria.

                    Here are two ways to identify the parts in an assembly:

                    1. Assign a color to a component based on a category, a workflow status, or a variable in an assembly.
                    2. Show Parts of an assembly based on the PDM search window

                     

                    Display State Creation

                    When you will define your search criteria and visualization in the tool panel it will create the display states in SOLIDWORKS.

                    In the SOLIDWORKS file, a display state will be created for each category, workflow, and variables for which at least one value and one color has been pre-assigned in the Administration window.

                    The color will appear in the selected assembly parts.

                    Example: The colors have been assigned in the image below based on values and colors assigned by supplier name.

                    Administration Window

                    The administrator assigns a color to different items based on the requirements in the administration window by clicking on the variable name or in the “Color” field for “Categories”, “Workflow” or “Color by default”. When the tool is used, this tool creates different display states depending on which item(s) such as “Categories”, “Workflow” or “Variables” had a modification performed upon. The association between a value associated with the component will assign different colors to the parts as predefined in the administration window. The yellow color appears in the “Variable” window when a line had a value and color assigned.

                    Here is the window that opens to allow you to key in the value and select the “Color” cell.

                    By clicking in the “Color” cell you obtain the following window to be able to select the desired color. Click on “Define Custom Colors“ to see the right end side of the window below.

                    Search PDM

                    You key in the information in one or many fields of the PDM search window to create the selection criteria of the parts. Those parts will therefore be selected and visible in the SOLIDWORKS environment.

                    NOTE: THE SEARCH FIELDS IN THE TABS “NAME AND LOCATION”, “CHECKED IN/OUT”, “VERSION DATA” AND  “WORKFLOW” ARE THE ONES AVAILABLE TO DEFINE A SEARCH CRITERIA.

                    Search Window

                    SolidXperts teams can help you become true 3D experts! An additional question? Need information?

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