SolidWorks 2005
Even though SolidWorks 2004 is still relatively new, SolidWorks execs took the opportunity to demonstrate a pre-alpha version of SolidWorks 2005. The first thing I noticed was the change to the user interface, which has been updated to be more Windows XP-like and with the icons that use 256 colors. A new context-sensitive task manager window also provides easy access to content. These are small but welcome changes.
SolidWorks 2005 improves mold design to make it easier to create a parting surface. Click on image to enlarge.
It appears as if SolidWorks’s 2D capabilities have received most of the attention, with some functions added to catch up with the competition, and others to push on ahead. The most useful 2D ability in 2005 is the automatic isometric view capability; it will also be possible to place details of details and sections of details. Annotations and notes can be grouped and moved automatically with their associated components; these can be adjusted with precision using the arrow. Text within hatched entities automatically get hatched around making them more visible. Also new: automatic cut lists, spell checking, various typefaces and colored text. There was a big cheer for what looks to be a comprehensive, yet flexible automatic dimension capability, and SolidWorks 2005 also supports the inclusion of tolerances.
Those who cut their teeth on AutoCAD will appreciate that SolidWorks 2005 repeats the last command on hitting the enter key and drawing a selection window conforms to AutoCAD, allowing a “crossing” selection. Other changes to the interface make the measure function available at all times.
New to SolidWorks 2005 are items called sub-sketches, which are described as being “2D blocks.” These could be created in the program or imported from an AutoCAD DWG 2D into a sketch and then extruded to 3D. Another well-received feature was one that allowed numerous 2D sketches to be imported into the work space, mated and constrained, and then moved in real time, allowing kinematics exploration of a design in the 2D phase.
eDrawings gets revised and can now include animations created in SolidWorks Animator. There’s support for Unigraphics, Autodesk Mechanical Desktop and PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER. The file size of eDrawings is also being addressed with promises of a 30 to 60% reduction. SolidWorks is now concentrating a lot of effort on eDrawings, possibly looking to fuel its “network effect” strategy by fighting for the free engineering publishing format, which Adobe and Autodesk are currently having a tussle over.
In the modeling department, the deformation tools now allow “twisting” and assemblies can display different components in different rendered states, shaded or wireframe at the same time. SolidWorks expands its capabilities in the mold market with the inclusion of automated side-core creation.
Office and Office Professional versions will also be enhanced, although no specific features were mentioned. The COSMOSWorks component has a few new cool features, including drop test analysis and non-linear material analysis.
The beta program is due to start in May, with July being the estimated release date. There was a lot of emphasis on working on bug fixes and trying to lower the number of bugs shipped with the product - an area in which SolidWorks knows it must improve. |
发表于 2004-3-11 19:58:08
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发表于 2004-3-11 20:27:35
界面看上去很漂亮
