It is recommended to add the sharing of software such as SOLIDWORKS and PROE to this section

Pick yourself back up first. The powerful 3D mechanical design capabilities of SolidWorks 2008 will help you create even more perfect designs. I’m learning to *use it, so I’d appreciate it if experienced users could share their insights.

Introduction to the features of ProE 4.0. Please log in using the following link: http://www.proe.cn/htmldata/46/2008_02/2349_1.html

Introduction to the advantages of SolidWorks 2008: SolidWorks has released a new version of its 3D CAD software, “SolidWorks 2008”. In addition to updating the user interface, the new version improves usability by featuring intuitive shape editing capabilities similar to those of non-parametric CAD. At the same time, simple tolerance analysis functions and thermal fluid analysis functions have also been added. Based on the company’s groundbreaking SolidWorks Intelligent Feature Technology (SWIFT), SolidWorks 2008 offers a new, intuitive and fast user interface (UI) along with stunning 3D graphics, thereby accelerating the design process for better products. The new version has significantly changed the user interface, consolidating the command menu into a set of icons called the “Command Manager”. Considering operational performance, the commands have been grouped so that even beginners can find the desired functions easily. Additionally, to reduce the number of mouse movements and clicks, a semi-transparent “Heads Up” menu bar has been added near the cursor, containing icons of the commands needed for the next action. The menu in Heads Up can change automatically based on the location where the model is clicked and the previous action taken; almost all operations can be performed through this menu. Another significant feature of the new version is the enhancement of the “SWIFT” function that was available in the previous version. One of them is the addition of the “Instant3D” feature, which offers a feel close to direct modeling. With this feature, it is simple to edit shapes by simply selecting lines and faces and dragging with the mouse; the radius of the rounded corners can also be adjusted intuitively by dragging. There is no need to select features as before, or to switch between sketch mode and edit mode. 3D data without features, read in IGES or STEP format, can also be edited using Instant3D. In addition, SWIFT’s automatic dimension insertion feature, “DimXpert”, has also been enhanced. A feature has been added to automatically insert dimensional tolerances and geometric tolerances on 3D models. The specifications comply with ASME Y14.41, and the dimensions and tolerances inserted using DimXpert can be used by the simple tolerance analysis tool “TolAnalyst”. To improve usability, the new version also includes a feature that does not read geometric data when the file is first opened, but only reads the display data. Since it is possible to select only the data intended for editing and read the geometric shapes after viewing a preview using the display data, it is relatively easy to handle large-scale assembly data. An increase in the reuse rate of existing data was also one of the features of 2008. For example, when using the “Design Clip Art” function, it is sufficient to select the features or sketches of the already loaded components and drag them into the 3D model being edited, so that the selected shapes can be utilized. Users can increase the reuse rate of existing data and technical knowledge by adding components and features. The new version also includes “DriveWorksXpress”, which is used to create macro programs for automatic design, as well as “COSMOSFloXpress”, which enables thermal-fluid analysis for simple electronic instrument design. The basic philosophy of SolidWorks 2008 is to help engineers design great products, allowing designers to focus more on product innovation rather than the CAD software itself. Below is a brief overview of some of the new features and changes in SolidWorks 2008. 1. User Interface • The tool bar and tool buttons, as well as the command manager, have been reorganized in order to maximize the visible area of the graphical area. • •Display of the design tree: Users can filter the features shown in the feature tree; for example, they can use text filtering to display only those features in the tree that contain a specific text. •Quickly open recent files; through a graphical interface, it allows users to access the most recently used files at the fastest speed. 2. In terms of industrial design, SolidWorks 2008 has seen further improvements in its performance for this purpose. These features include improved display performance in REALVIEW, 3D sketching capabilities, rendering functions, animation tools, sketching utilities, support for Rhino 4.0 files, as well as enhancements to SCANTO3D, including better handling of boundary surfaces and scanning related to features. 3. Several enhancements in terms of features and components • Shadows for suspended/missing geometric relationships: Shadows can display the original reference shape, position, and size, making it easier for users to make modifications. •ConerXpert: Effectively manages the vertex handling for filleting corners using FilletXpert. •Instant3D: Quickly modify solids and features. You can change the size of the model by simply dragging the dimensions or geometry, and you can preview the extent of the changes to the features using the ruler on the screen. •Scanning using solids: It is possible to perform a scanned cut directly on another solid. •Inserting one part into another can automatically bring in the part’s sketch, custom attributes, and other elements, and it also significantly improves the positioning of the parts. •DimXpert 4 in parts, and the tolerance analysis function for assemblies: •New fit types added: linear coupling, path fit, threaded fit, pivot fit. •Assembly design based on layout sketches: The use of virtual parts • When copying components with fit relationships, copying a part in an assembly also copies its fit relationships. 5. Engineering drawings – This is likely a feature that many Chinese users are interested in. The following functions are probably of particular interest to them: • It is possible to copy drawings; previously, one had to first create a new drawing and then copy the view. •Custom properties of parts can be modified directly in the BOM. •The ability to display tendon features in a sectional view without cutting through them is likely a feature that many people are looking forward to. •The text in the table can be automatically reduced in size, addressing the issue of too much text in those Bom tables. 6. Others: There have also been some improvements in areas such as sheet metal work, welding, molding, and piping; it is believed that these improvements were made by SolidWorks in response to customer needs, after taking user suggestions into account.

Click: Menu Bar – Tools – Options – General – check the box for “Use English menu”; restart SolidWorks to switch to the English menu. Uncheck it to restore the Chinese menu.