All the new features I talk about in this article are available in 2021 SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard and Pro. Along with all license packages of CAMWorks 2021 as well. Additional Stock Types Available in Stock Manager Before SOLIDWORKS CAM 2021, there was not an easy way to define stock as a cylindrical shape for programming mill parts. Now in SOLIDWORKS CAM 2021, you can easily define the stock material by the part Bounding Box by a cylindrical shape for mill […]
SOLIDWORKS 2021 introduces a new way to control the “Distance” and “Distance Linkage” Pitch Methods in the Chain Component Pattern command. In the updated PropertyManager, you can define whether you want the spacing between components to be measured along the path or along a straight line connecting the components. These two conditions are referred to as “Distance along path” and “Linear distance,” respectively, as seen in the image below. In past versions of SOLIDWORKS, users lacked the ability to specify […]
If you have read through the What’s New document for SOLIDWORKS 2021, I am sure you noticed the many updates and improvements listed for SOLIDWORKS Simulation. Blog title aside, if you think this is only about terminology changes, think again! I can assure you nomenclature is only a part of what I will describe for SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2021. If you want to know more about this topic, start with my colleague Matt Sherak’s blog Understanding Contact Hierarchy in SOLIDWORKS Simulation. […]
With every new version of SOLIDWORKS, we see tremendous changes in performance, improved functionality, and much more. In this article, we will discuss the changes implemented to a fundamental portion of the software, the System Options and Document Properties. What’s been added? The following has been added to the System Options in SOLIDWORKS 2021: What has changed? The following has changed within the System Options of SOLIDWORKS 2021: What’s been removed? The following has been removed from System Options in […]
If you are not already using Detailing Mode for drawings you need to take a hard look in the mirror. Detailing Mode for drawings may be one of the greatest enhancements SOLIDWORKS has ever made. When I saw it last year I was completely blown away at how fast drawings could be opened AND modified. Nothing is more frustrating than being asked to make a “minor adjustment” to a drawing. It’s not that much work, so why do SOLIDWORKS users […]
SOLIDWORKS 2021 is nearing release and the Computer Aided Technology Technical Team is excited for the next version of SOLIDWORKS. We have been working hard to find the best new features that SOLIDWORKS 2021 has to offer and are looking forward to sharing them with you and the SOLIDWORKS community. Beginning Tuesday, September 22nd, the CATI Technical Team will be starting our 7th annual What’s New Blog Series. The team is planning daily posts covering the new features and functions […]
It’s here! SOLIDWORKS 2021 Beta 1 is now available. It’s time to take SOLIDWORKS 2021 for a test drive, check out the new enhancements and participate in the Beta program. What is the Beta Program? Participating in the Beta program is more than just taking the next release of SOLIDWORKS for a test drive. It’s about connecting with the BETA community, interacting with the SOLIDWORKS R&D team to provide your feedback on the new functionality and flexing your SOLIDWORKS skills […]
Silhouette Entities is a powerful new sketch tool that was added in SOLIDWORKS 2020 and has not yet received the full credit it deserves. I expect plenty of seasoned designers might not be aware of it. Hopefully, this post will help change that and develop up some appreciation for Silhouette Entities. We will explore this command by comparing it to some other sketch tools we have more familiarity with. Silhouette Entities creates sketch geometry by projecting the outline of bodies […]
SOLIDWORKS just announced that SOLIDWORKS 2021 Beta is scheduled to go live near the end of June. Like previous years, SOLIDWORKS will have a Beta program allowing users to test the new software. What is the Beta Program? Participating in the in the Beta program is more than just taking the next release of SOLIDWORKS for a test drive. It’s about connecting with the BETA community, interacting with the SOLIDWORKS R&D team to provide your feedback on the new functionality […]
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform from Dassault Systemes is a solution that CATI customer Acer Technologies seemed to have sought after since their inception. “When I started about 11 years ago, I wanted Acer to be a virtual company. No server to host, no office, can work whenever, however, from anywhere. My mission statement was essentially to be an extension of a company’s engineering department.” says JP Judge, Owner of Acer Technologies. “3DEXPERIENCE has allowed us to be the virtual company we […]