File management is always essential in a company especially when it is involved in any engineering process.

SOLIDWORKS is a software which requires a proper file management in order to save time and increase the efficiency in every task.

Have you ever seen this message when you are working on an assembly in SOLIDWORKS? This happens when there is a broken reference between the SOLIDWORKS files. It is a common issue faced by a lot of SOLIDWORKS users especially when a proper file management system is not used.
To avoid this issue, first we have to understand the file structure of SOLIDWORKS files.
Understand SOLIDWORKS Files
A SOLIDWORKS file is structured to be a single point database, meaning that each piece of information is stored in only one file. If a file requires an information from another file, it needs to refer to the file where the information is stored instead of copying the entire information. This will create external references, which are the links between the SOLIDWORKS documents.
For example, when a part is used in an assembly, the assembly refers to the part rather than copying the information to itself. This in turn will keep the file of assemblies at a minimum size.

Broken Reference
A problem will arise when there is a broken reference between the files. This usually happens when a file was moved or renamed. Due to this, SOLIDWORKS is unable to locate the current file location or even its new given name.
As a result, an error message will pop out and it will notify that:
• You renamed the file & SOLIDWORKS does not know the new file name
• You renamed the folder & SOLIDWORKS does not know the new path
• You moved the file & SOLIDWORKS does not know where you moved it to
• You deleted the file (which is the worst)

What are the solutions?

When there is a broken reference, what should we do?
Here are the 3 steps to take in order to recover a broken reference in SOLIDWORKS:
a) Open the model in RAM
One way to re-establish an assembly’s or a drawing file’s lost reference is to open the model in RAM (Provided that the file name is not changed).
b) Manually re-pointing the reference
Re-point the file references by selecting “File > Open” and then select the “References” button.

Re-pointing the “References” manually, one at a time is error prone, tedious & time consuming.
c) Manually renaming, moving and replacing file
Right click on a file and select “Rename”

This method will Update “Where Used” BUT only the file references contained in the same folder, it will not search in any  other folder.

A broken reference can indeed cause a lot of inconveniences. Fortunately, in SOLIDWORKS we have tools to aid our users in file management! This includes SOLIDWORKS Explorer and SOLIDWORKS PDM.
If you wish find out more about SOLIDWORKS’ File Management, please come and join our file management class in March.

“Technology is fast changing”. That is the view we commonly hear about ever since the computer age. Looking back at history of technology, human moved from “hunter-gatherer age” to “agriculture age” about 12,000 years ago; to “industrial age” about 150 years ago; to “computer age” about 50 years ago; and now we are in “mobile age” which start about 10 years ago.  By this inclination, I can say it is accelerating towards a stagnation point before a new unknown wave of technology takes over. Part of the new wave, technology is moving toward “Augmented Age” now.  “Augmented Age” makes use of AI to provide customized solutions, products or services which will be much preferred and accepted than the standardize ones.

And the timing is right!

In SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION 2018, user will be equipped with more capabilities to customize solutions. Topology study is algorithm embedded as a tool to optimize shape and material use for a given goal and geometric constraints. It is available in SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional and SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium.

“The topology study performs non-parametric topology optimization of parts. Starting with a maximum design space (which represents the maximum allowed size for a component) and considering all applied loads, fixtures, and manufacturing constraints, the topology optimization seeks a new material layout, within the boundaries of the maximum allowed geometry, by redistributing the material. The optimized component satisfies all the required mechanical and manufacturing requirements. With a Topology study, you can set a design goal to find the best strength to weight ratio, minimize the mass, or reduce the maximum displacement of a component.”

Knowing the optimum shape, optimized design can be easily constructed.

Counting Down

Are you excited about the launching of SOLIDWORKS 2018?

We are all hyped up with this coming SOLIDWORKS Innovation Day 2018 on October!

Have you registered yourself?

Quickly register yourself from the link below before all the seats are fully occupied.

http://www.cad-vision.com.my/cvsswid2018-registration/ ( Limited Seats!))

Let’s take a look on the preview of SOLIDWORKS 2018 What’s New!

Topology study 

What if a computer can suggest an optimum shape? Topology Study is a new Design Guidance study type that adds Simulation technology which help you to optimize design form. It will be great way to leverage your topology study results with Simulation Display in SOLIDWORKS. You can overlay the mesh or material mass plot and use this to guide traditional feature creation – like a sketch picture, only in 3D.

Visualize

Since 2016, SOLIDWORKS Visualize brings the future of rendering to our customer. Now, SOLIDWORKS Visualize 2018 helps you to create even more compelling experiences for your customers. You’re your customer to a fascinating journey to imagine and engage with your products well before they go into production.

SOLIDWORKS Manage

SOLIDWORKS PDM is always one of our popular product in data management but feeling not enough? In 2018 we proud to bring you a higher level file management product, SOLIDWORKS Manage. It provides an easy upgrade path from SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional or Standard to a distributed data management system that can be utilized by many different groups within an organization to deliver cohesive information to all areas of their business.

eDrawing

Having problems to view files from supplier or customer? eDrawing is always a great tool to collaborate in a multi-CAD environment. In eDrawing we consistently bring our user to an easier and less errors method to read different files. Now, eDrawings 2018 introduces many new enhancements to make collaboration with suppliers and manufacturers simpler and more powerful.

Stay tuned for more information about  our Innovation Day 2018!

Counting Down

Are you excited about the launching of SOLIDWORKS 2018?

We are all hyped up with this coming SOLIDWORKS Innovation Day 2018 on October!

Have you registered yourself?

Quickly register yourself from the link below before all the seats are fully occupied.

http://www.cad-vision.com.my/cvsswid2018-registration/ ( Limited Seats!))

Let’s take a look on the preview of SOLIDWORKS 2018 What’s New!

Can I mirror my 3D sketch?

Yes, now you can mirror 3D and yet maintain the symmetric relations – modify the original sketch, mirror entities are updated.

Planes can now use as the mirror reference in both 2D and 3D sketch.

Use a single feature to create rotate pattern?

Optional rotation for linear pattern saves your time by easy steps. Just set the number of instances, rotation reference and incremental angle.

SOLIDWORKS 2018 allows two concentric mates to solved correctly, by having the ‘MISALIGNED mates’, either by maintaining the concentricity of either mates or shifting the component symmetrically between them.

You can also set the maximum allowable deviation of the Concentric Mate by number or use document property.

With SOLIDWORKS 2018, Smart Explode Line tool enable you to automatically create the exploded line for exploded view. When you modify the Exploded View, Exploded Lines update instantly, keeping everything accurate and up to date.

In SOLIDWORKS 2018, magnetic mates now support multiple ground planes, by just activate it in the feature manager tree, new insert component will auto snap onto the activated plane. 

You can now easily change the connection points of magnetic mate by using open and close square brackets.

To be continued…

Insert an image into SOLIDWORKS Drawing
Do you always wonder how to insert an image when you’re using SOLIDWORKS Drawing?

Today, I’m going to show a simple way to teach you how to insert an image into a SOLIDWORKS Drawing.

1. First, images are typically inserted into a SOLIDWORKS drawing or sheet format using the commands:

• Insert > Object > Create from File
• Insert > Picture

Notes: If the image does not get inserted or the image resolution is not good, I usually suggest trying to insert the image using Windows copy and paste commands.

2. In the example seen here, the first attempt to insert an image as an object created from a .png file did not work; instead of a logo, only its file name was inserted.

As a workaround, the logo was copied directly from the image editor (Ctrl-C) and pasted into the SOLIDWORKS drawing (Ctrl-V).

3. Second option you can try is using Insert > Picture.

This option is much easier and you can direct edit how is the final orientation and transparency of the picture.

4. Finally, you can see the logo will appear in the drawing file.

Enjoy the trick!

Do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to know more. =)