upFront.eZine
t h e
b u s i n e s s o f
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Publishing
Issue #593 : : February 24, 2009
In this issue:
SolidWorks World 2009 (Part 2)
- Enovia SmarTeam
- Simulia
- SolidThinking
- 3dconnexion
- SolidWorks
- Other Items
How Synchronous Technology Works
- History Mode
- Non History Mode
- Native and Non-native Data
- Multi-CAD TeamCenter
- I-DEAS Feature Groups
- Homework Failure
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An aspect of attending events like SolidWorks World is to meet with a few of the companies manning booths in the exhibit hall. In 4.5 hours, I visited five companies, and had lunch.
[SWW Moment: The irate European editor who complains to me about the lack of content in Jeff Ray's keynote speech, apparently repeated later in a one-on-one interview. "Why do I travel across the ocean for no answers?" he demands of me.]
Enovia SmarTeam
CTO Oleg Shilovitsky has been involved with R&D since 1998. A few years ago, he moved to the Boston area to help coordinate PDM [product data management] and PLM [product lifecycle management] between Dassault Systemes and SolidWorks. You might recall Dassault's plan to combine the many disparet PLM systems into one. MatrixOne, SmarTeam, and Envoia are to become just Enovia in V6. Well, perhaps.
Problem is that Enovia isn't well suited to SMBs [small and medium size businesses]. A simpler product is due to emerge later this year reusing the "SmartTeam" name -- perhaps. Mr Shilovitsky told me that the marketing department was still working on that one.
He provided some insight into how SolidWorks dealers will be selling Dassault software. He explained that there are two lines of resellers: the Professional channel (aka SolidWorks VARs) who sell SolidWorks and related software; and the Value channel (huh?) selling Enovia, after receiving suitable training.
To clarify the stratus:
1. SolidWorks Workgroup PDM - handles design data for small groups.
2. SolidWorks Enterprise PDM - vaults design data and generates BOMs for SMBs globally.
3. Enovia PLM - handles multiple BOMs simultaneously, does global lifecycle support.
As for the future of PLM, he is seeing how social networks are developing. Twitter is interesting, but immature; blogs are more useful than forums in setting topics of debate and then collecting responses. He wants a way for PLM users to communicate efficiently (like Twitter) yet be able to search the IP [intellectual property] generated by social platforms.
His own blog is named PLM Twine at plmtwine.com
[SWW Moment: For who-knows-what reason, Twitter-ers at SolidWorks World were given gold-lettered Twitter tags to stick onto their name badges. You discover other Twitts by looking at name tags? Explains why I don't get Twitter.]
Simulia
Tim Webb hosted the booth for Dassault's non-linear analysis software -- "crush, crash, and multi-physics", as he put it. And fascinating stuff it is. Simulia can figure out how blood vessels bulge when stents expand. The software don't just analyze a backhoe's mechanism, it also analyzes the mechanical effects of the soil being dug up. (Mr Webb admitted his programmers still needed to add different kinds of ground material, like rocks and mud.)
Right now you can export SolidWorks drawings to Simulia, but the plan for the future is to add features to SolidWorks directly, like design optimization.
New to Simulia is support for up to 128 cores, which'll do in four hours what 4 cores do in three days. Top of the line Simulia is probably quite expensive (Mr Webb spoke of purchasing "tokens," units of calculations), but a student version is $99. www.simulia.com
[SWW Moment: A (rather inexperienced) marketing person remarks to me, "That Branson sure was abrupt at the press conference. I heard he cut off it off after three questions." Actually, I correct him, it was SolidWorks marketing who wanted to keep the press conference short so that Branson could leave for New York. After a marketing person announces, "We'll take one more question," Mr Branson modifies the request: "I think we can take another six questions or so." Inexperienced marketing persons should avoid denigrating honored guests in front of middle-aged men wearing bright yellow PRESS tags.]
Figure: Media goes nuts over the nearly 60-year-old Virgin ceo.
Each got a copy of his "Business Stripped Bare" book, autographed by inkjet printer.
SolidThinking
After covering solidThinking with a pair of articles earlier in upFront.eZine, the company didn't have that much new to tell me when I visited their booth. Except that Version 8 is due in April, and Version 9 in November. solidThinking has a free SolidWorks plug-in for easy import/export of models -- no history, no parametrics.
I did ask ceo Robert Little, a man of Hirschtickian proportions -- for his thoughts on the impact Fusion might have on SolidWorks: would SolidWorks feel the need to add direct editing? If so, how would that impact direct editors that interface with SolidWorks today?
Mr Little responded that his software is meant for industrial designers, and so handles differently than would direct editing for CAD users. www.solidthinking.com
[SWW Moment: Hotel economics dictate that in-room coffee is free, but that water costs $3.]
Figure: The view from my hotel window.
3dconnexion
I can't tell you anything about my meeting with 3dconnexion until later in March. Except that their booth managed to clog up an aisle with people waiting to spin their roulette-like wheel in the hope of winning a 3D mouse -- or a trinket. www.3dconnexion
SolidWorks
For my meeting with a SolidWorks executive, marketing assigned Paul Chastell to speak with me. He is vp of SolidWorks Product Development, just long enough in the USA to retain his delightful accent, yet make relatives back in England think he's "gone American."
I asked him the same question as I did solidThinking: what might be the impact of Fusion (or Synchronous Technology) on SolidWorks? "At this point, none," was his surprising answer. He says customers aren't asking for it; when he asks customers of their thoughts, the primary response is, "What is direct editing?" Perhaps this is a problem that doesn't need solving, judging from the small numbers of customers enjoyed by direct-editing CAD vendors, such as IronCAD, Kubotek USA, and CoCreate.
So, SolidWorks is not putting a lot of effort into direct editing. Instead, the capabilities of Instant 3D are being beefed up -- that being the "behind the scenes" automatic rolling forward and back of the history tree. He's more interested in solving the problem of users and clients sending data back and forth between each other.
Indeed, John Hirschtick's top four wishes for SolidWorks exclude direct editing, as noted last week.
[SWW Moment: The astonishment of the journalist from India that electronic newsletters are viable in North America. "In India, it has to be printed or on tv," she exclaims.]
Other Items
If you are as confused about nVidia's line of graphics boardsas I am, here is a handy pocket guide:
1. GeForce = consumer and entertainment.
2. Quadro = professional applications, like CAD.
3. Tesla = high performance computing.
I spoke with Dennis Manning briefly, he being the builder of the world's fastest motorcycle: its 500hp engine runs the two-wheeler at just over 350 miles per hour (560kph) on the salt flats. It looks like a narrow airplane body, sans wings, having a drag coefficient of 0.08. Designed with SolidWorks, 'natch.
AMV Software has SteelWorks software that runs inside of SolidWorks, handling all stages of structural steel design, from general arrangement to fabrication drawings. www.amv.it
Dimension had its $15,000 uPrint desktop 3D printer at the show. Outputs 8x8x6" ABS parts. www.uPrintDimensions.com
And I saw the butterfly-shaped lawn chairs made by EDL Solutions of Canada. Not my taste, but perhaps yours.
[Disclosure: SolidWorks paid for my airfare, hotel, meals, and gave me a copy of Richard Branson's book, "Business Stripped Bare". And a t-shirt.]
How Synchronous Technology Works
Guest Editorial by Doug Dingus
Interesting comments from the Autodesk people in "Autodesk Fuses 3D Modeling," upFront.eZine #591. After reading them, I feel compelled to highlight and clarify a few things.
Siemens' direct modeling operations are parametric.
In NX 6, for example, direct modeling functions are either parametric or not, depending on what the user wants to do. Additionally, the synchronous technology provides a great deal of design intent assist, in either case. When a model is brought into NX -- be it an imported solid body or surfaces, or a native model -- the user has the option of performing their modeling operations in either a history-based or nonhistory-based fashion. Regardless of the mode the user chooses, many features -- such as blends, holes and ribs -- remain feature-based and can be modified as such.
History Mode
When NX is operating in history mode, ALL direct modeling operations are parametric, in that parameters specified during creation remain available for subsequent modification, and for use in equations -- just like any other traditional history-based modeling operation.
These attributes serve the dual purpose of presenting to the user both a history of what was done to the model over time, and the ability to decide whether it makes more sense to parse that history to perform a modification, or simply add to it, or disregard it altogether.
There's a switch to non-history mode, which can be done in reverse as well, at any time the user chooses to do so.
Non History Mode
A model might start out as a traditional history-based one, see significant modifications with synchronous direct-modeling operations. Then the design path changes in such a way that a rebuild of the model would be warranted if the only tools available were the traditional history-based tools. At that point, the history can be disregarded in favor of a history-free, feature based path. Some time down the road, the design path solidifies, once again warranting a change to the history-based path.
At all times during this process, an NX user enjoys the benefit of synchronous technology in that it parses the part geometry in real time, assisting with design intent, based on the part topology, selection intent, and direct modeling operation in play.
This is unique in the industry right now, and something other vendors appear very willing to marginalize.
In non-history based mode, a model then boils down to the solid or sheet bodies, features such as holes and ribs, and dimensions that are solved variationally when the user modifies them. Direct modeling operations perform exactly the same way they do in history mode, and depend on selection intent and synchronous technology to assist in the specification of the operation itself, and in the context of the implied design intent, present in the model topology at the time. The user has control over the synchronous technology that in specific cases can be ignored, or favored over others where it makes sense to do so.
Should the user feel the need to use traditional, sketch-based operations, they can do so in history-free mode. What happens in this case is the associative links, normally necessary to realize a coherent history tree, are simply not generated. The user then is free to build the sketch, make solids with it, move the sketch and/or the solids, perform booleans, etc. without having to worry about managing the chain of references normally associated with those kinds of activities.
All of the history-based operations perform in essentially the same manner, like the direct modeling operations do, whether the user is operating with a model history or not. Additionally, the synchronous technology elements that apply, such as selection intent, do apply.
Native and Non-native Data
Given these things, it is just as possible and practical for a user to start with a native authored model as it is with non-native data. The full range of design path options are available, leaving them free to choose the path that makes the best sense for them. This means less time spent planning and sorting out which modeling tool chain operations make the best sense vs. having to make compromises in their engineering work flow. That is a very significant value add these days, given the variety of CAD systems in play, and the growing need to incorporate model data designed in another system into the engineering workflow.
All of this is built into the core of NX, thus extending it to related activities, such as manufacturing, analysis, detailing, rule based knowledge engineering, and other related tasks. Solid Edge users enjoy this as well, only seeing fewer integrated tasks. This really is just a difference in scale, where smaller organizations may simply not have the need for the integrated technologies.
Multi-CAD TeamCenter
With the acquisition of SDRC, Siemens inherited variational design technology as well as data management technology. This can be seen in the NX product as part of synchronous technology and the multi-CAD capable Teamcenter.
The multi-CAD capabilities of Teamcenter mean being able to manage complex data from multiple vendors . The synchronous technology present in both NX and Solid Edge mean being able to make effective use of that data at a level on par with native models.
I-DEAS Feature Groups
Parametric variational modeling has what can be described as feature groups, instead of a feature tree. The features are solved simultaneously, not in sequence. I-deas was built in a way where each feature was variational, then combined CSG-fashion to the result of the features that preceded it.
On an assembly level, this difference means being able to enjoy considerable freedom in how or if various levels of an assembly is constrained fully. The order of things is traded for being able to localize constraints via either the assembly heiaracy through the use of sub-assemblies, or through the use of fixed components, and constraint networks limited to those areas of the design that actually benefit from parametric changes.
Large-scale assembly design, without these things being in play, is a tedious and time consuming exercise that demands a stiff computing penalty as well.
Homework Failure
To say that Autodesk is, "unimpressed by vendors who take an either/or parametric-or-direct approach", reveals nothing more than their failure to do their homework and understand their competitors' product offerings. While their recent advancements are notable, they are not game-changing at this time.
Rather than take an either/or approach to the problem, or a bolt-on-something approach, Siemens acquired the core enabling technology elements necessary to build a holistic environment where users have the full array of choices available to them at any time. This remains true regardless of the model being foreign or native, and whether or not the user is in forward-create design mode, or modify mode as well.
The significance of this means being able to leverage the best modeling strategy applicable to the problem and working relationships with others and their CAD tools at hand:
- History-based parametric modeling still enjoys a lot of value for many classes of modeling problems. Part familes and automated designs are two common examples.
- Direct modeling and feature-based modeling are potent solutions during the concept or modification stages of modeling. It lacks, however, sufficient automation capability to be leveraged as the product being designed matures, or spawns derivative designs.
This means there is no need for an either/or proposition! Engineering can be done with tools that present the best overall productivity advantage. Instead of looking to the next big thing, Siemens has simply added to the toolbox in a way that does not devalue existing methods. Users can incorporate the tools for which they see the value, secure in knowing that what they already know will continue to remain viable into the future.
[Doug Dingus is technical manager for Acuity Incorporated, a Siemens Authorized VAR. www.acuityinc.com ]
Jimmy Bergmark updates his Sheet Set Manager Properties Editor for editing properties in multiple sheet sets generated by AutoCAD 2005-2010 and verticals; AutoCAD not required. No-charge trial available by writing info @ jtbworld . com blog.jtbworld.com/2009/02/ssmpropeditor-22-sheet-set-manager.html
CADFind Sketch & Search finds 2D/3D drawings from sketches and 3D CAD solid modeling apps. The latest version lets you build custom applications in stand-alone or Web applications; see sample at camac.aston.ac.uk . Download a demo at www.sketchandsearch.com
ESRI releases ArcGIS for AutoCAD as a no-charge download from www.esri.com/autocadapp for sharing GIS data with AutoCAD files.
ASCON Group updates KOMPAS 3D V10 with service pack 2. New is Drawing Checker for locating layout errors. Demo download from www.ascon.net
Next in line for Bricsys: SYCODE's Mesh To Solid plug-in ($195) that converts polygon mesh objects to 3D solids. www.sycode.com/products/mesh_to_solid_bc/index.htm
KKM SOFT announces iConfigure, its product configurator engine for Inventor 2009. Company director Mr. Ramasamy figures that external rules-based configurators "can automate 70% of the standard designs that exist in the product design portfolio of any mass customization manufacturing company." www.kkmsoft.com/sts.htm
Geometric Limited launches DFMPro [design for manufacturability] for Pro/ENGINEER for automated checking and analysis in design creation. 15-day trial from dfmpro.geometricglobal.com
Beck Technology releases DProfiler with RSMeans 2009 Release 1.0, apparently "the world’s first and only macro BIM application." www.Beck-Technology.com
And Siemens' NX 6 works with Windows XP/Vista, SuSE Linux 9/10, and is in beta for Mac. http://support.ugs.com/online_library/certification/
- - -
These were some of the news items that were posted during the last week at the WorldCAD Access blog < worldcadaccess.typepad.com >:
- New 3D Gestureized Display Tech
- Top 5 Postings on this Blog
- Dell No Friend of Autodesk
- Nemetschek Up 3%
- Acad 2010 on Netbooks
- Siemens Dares Where Others Fear: NX on Mac, Linux
- The Big Slump: AVSO Down 26%
Seminars & Conferences
First ODA World Conference by The Open Design Alliance is Apr 27–29 in Leiden, The Netherlands. www.opendwg.org/conference (I'll be at this conference.)
16th annual PLM Road Map conference is Sept 22-23 at St. John's MI USA. www.cpd-associates.com/index.cfm?content=include_conference09.cfm
2009 International LMS Simulation Conference is Oct 28-29 in Munich, Germany. www.lmsintl.com/lmsconferences
People/Companies on the Move
Lightworks celebrates 20 years of photorealistic rendering software. The company's software now has some two million users. More on the company's history is at www.lightworkdesign.com/our_company/lightworks_20
Autodesk appoints Hazem Nabil Khaled as country manager for Egypt. Mr Nabil is the former partner group manager at Microsoft Egypt.
WorthWhile Web
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123483686491196353.html
"It Isn't Always a Job Behind an Online Job Posting"
by Sarah Needleman
http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3803021
"What Caused the Tech Sales Crash? It wasn't consumers that slammed on the brakes, they just tapped them a little."
by Andy Patrizio
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1299900
"Death of the apostrophe"
by George Jonas
Letters to the Editor
Re: SpaceClaim
"The SpaceClaim 'how do you analyse the egg when the chicken hasn't laid it yet?' dilemma reminds me of Taleb's predicting the past scenario described in 'The Black Swan', which I've been intrigued with ever since I read it. If Google Books links are static, this should take you there: books.google.com/books?id=YdOYmYA2TJYC&pg=PA196&dq=ice+melt+predict+future+past+black+swan
"Not sure that it applies to SpaceClaim, but thought you might enjoy anyway, if you hadn't read the book."
- Merle Hall
Duponte
"A part of the move-analysis-forward is probably an effort to move CAE [computer-aided engineering] from the desktops of analysts to the desktops of designers who typically use CAD. From an analysts's perspective, I find that load-path prediction ability is marvelous.
"But given that many CAD users don't even use 3D as much as they could or should, I often wonder whether this thrust will be successful."
- Venkatesh Chavaly
- - -
Re: Touchscreens
"With some surprise I read your last commentary: 'Sorry, but touch isn't going to be popular; the TabletPC has already settled the argument.'
"I’m a young Chilean mechanical engineer working now with AutoCAD LT 2000 in Australia! After using Solidworks and Inventor at university in Chile, I have an idea for this touch technology, I don’t know if this is already done or if somebody used it and threw it to the rubbish bin.
"Anyway, I can’t stop imagining a simple screen tablet, replacing the position of the keyboard, yet having the ability to display the keyboard on it -- Latin-American version, English version, short version without numbers pad, and so on. You press a button, take the keyboard out for a moment, put the 3D software commands with big buttons, a little area for cursor, maybe the three projections, and the whole screen (without touch technology) to watch the design.
"I've been using the I-phone and I really think that my idea Its more than possible. I’m attaching some pictures I created with SketchUp, with parts downloaded from the Web to clarify my thinking.
"I’m really interested in developing my career in 3D design."
- Alejandro Moraga
Mechanical Project Engineer
"Don't forget Gorilla Arm: http://catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/G/gorilla-arm.html . Now think about users with TWO 23" screens (as will be common in my industry soon)."
- Paul Bowers
pipingdesign.com
Re: 3D Printing
"You wrote, 'We can only hope that 3D printing doesn't become the voice recognition of the 2000s, that always just-about ready-for-everyone technology.'
"Are you joking? The compounded annual growth rate of 3D printer unit sales from 1996 through 2007 was 40.4 percent, according to our research. As Jon Hirschtick stated in his keynote, 'If you haven’t seen 3D printing lately, you haven’t seen it'."
- Terry Wohlers
Wohlers Associates, Inc.
Spin Doctor of the Moment
"Everyone can publish, and everyone will."
- Jonathan Rosenberg, Google svp of product management
googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/from-height-of-this-place.html
Notable Quotable
"...the GM restructuring plan [in Canada] comes to somewhere between $6-billion and $7-billion. The automaker already has announced that it will preserve, at most, 7,000 Canadian jobs by the year 2010. In other words, the company is asking for about a million dollars per worker."
- Kelly McParland, National Post
network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/02/23/national-post-editorial-board-gm-s-lost-decade.aspx
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