The Javelin Technologies Blog

Since I started the “What’s Really New in SolidWorks 2013″ series of tech tips, I kept repeating that the newest version of SolidWorks is all about saving time.

My pick of the day is another time saver – the ability to fine tune SolidWorks systems extremely fast using the new search functionality for System Options and Document Properties.

Watch this video and save time:

For some users reducing the file size is a must, especially for large assemblies. Before the release of SolidWorks 2013, having multiple exploded views in one assembly implied creating multiple configurations (one for each exploded view) and, since each configuration saves all its Parasolid data, a huge assembly file.

SolidWorks 2013 provides an elegant solution to this problem by allowing multiple exploded views in each configuration. As a result the file size stays small and, at the same time, important time savings are achieved.

In this video I am going beyond just showcasing the new functionality by presenting a complete assembly explode process, comparing the 2012 and 2013 workflows.

Interesting question on the SolidWorks Forum from James Bailey :

The answer is yes. If the components are sharing the same origin (most likely derived from a master model), you can insert them in bulk in the origin of the assembly following the procedure shown in this video:

Since I wrote the “Shortcuts for Navigating Your Feature Tree ” article, I discovered a few more ways you can save time navigating your feature tree.

Watch this video for productivity focused tips in using your Feature Manager effectively:

SolidWorks 2013 empowers users with the ability to create shortcuts to almost any type of tree items (sketches, features, reference geometry, components) and group them in a Favorites Folder right at the top of the tree.

Not only it will save designers a lot of time, but will enable better team collaboration. Without even being familiar with a given model, any team member will be able to find in seconds the main features in the Favorites Folder.

This video shows how easy it is to declare any tree item as a Favorite and provides details on how to use this new functionality.

If you build products that have to be in stable equilibrium, than you need to upgrade to SolidWorks 2013.

The new Center of Mass feature is parametric and will not only save you design time, but also will insure that your product is build right from the beginning. Moreover, you will see the Center of Mass updated instantly after each model rebuild.

In this video I am showing ways for using the Center of Mass in parts, assemblies and drawings. I have also included suggestions for further improvements to this functionality, so make sure you watch it until the end.

When designing a bottle for your newborn baby, one of the main parameters you need to control is the bottle’s volume.

While apparently a simple task, calculating the volume of an open recipient has never been an easy task in SolidWorks. The new Intersect Tool introduce by SolidWorks 2013 is a game changer in this regard.

Capping and filling a bottle is now a simple two step process… like in real life:

1. Cap the bottle
2. Fill the bottle.

Later on this week, I will take on an even more complex challenge: how to determine the half full level for the same bottle.

Until then, enjoy the video showing the bottle being filled to capacity. In order to appreciate the huge benefits of using the newest SolidWorks release, I have included both SolidWorks 2013 and 2012 techniques.

When applyIng a fillet feature to a lot of edges, the most time consuming part is selecting them.

In SolidWorks 2012 and prior, selecting edges based on rules was available only when using the FilletXpert. Because of that, the user’s options were restricted to applying constant radius fillets only.

Starting with SolidWorks 2013, this functionality has been extended to manual fillets, offering fast edge selection for constant and variable radius fillets.

This video presents two different techniques for saving time while filleting.

In more complex models, these workflows can potentially save minutes or even hours of what it is in the end a very boring and repetitive task.

I have to confess, this is one of the new enhancements in SolidWorks 2013 that, at the first sight, I considered less important than the others. Why would I ever need to convert a drawing view to a sketch???

Well… guess what! The other day a customer of mine called asking if there is any way in SolidWorks to mirror a drawing view. He wanted to avoid having to create the model for the opposite hand part, since the only thing needed on his detail drawing was an extra ISO view, as a visual indication that the main part was to be produced in pairs.

His request got me thinking about a new functionality introduced by SolidWorks 2013…

Watch this video to see the solution I proposed:

People who have seen it in action say that the Intersect Tool is a Game Changer.

Imagine you take existing surface bodies, solid bodies and even planes and throw them in a boiling pot. Let them intersect themselves for a while (about half a second), then pick and choose whatever pieces or combination of pieces you need. The result is spectacular: one or more solid bodies created very fast.

Once you master this new command, you will find out that your feature tree becomes quite a bit shorter!

Intersect can replace whole clusters of features like: Split, Combine Add, Combine Subtract, Combine Common, Trim, Copy Bodies, Delete Bodies, Cut with Surface or Replace Face.

In this video, I am just playing with the Intersect Tool. Watch how I conjure a solid out of thin air.

Enjoy the magic!

Of course, we will explore the full functionality of the Intersect Feature in the newer future. Stay tuned.