Revision History

 

Version 2.6 (49 tips added on 09.15.04)

Version 2.5 (47 tips added on 07.25.04)

Version 2.4 (23 tips added on 06.30.04)

Version 2.3 (135 tips added on 05.11.04)

Version 2.2 (7 tips added on 04.01.04)

Version 2.1 (8 tips added on 04.01.04)

Version 2.0 (8 tips added on 03.24.04)

Version 1.5 (Initial Release on 03.15.04)

 

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Version 2.6 (49 tips added on 09.15.04)

 

DocumentationHard Copy

  • Trouble shooting check list for printing (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Resolution
  • Long plots

 

DocumentationDesktop Publishing

  • The HPGL format (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Image processing

 

CAM

  • The goal of CAM (Robert Byrnes)
  • From CAD to CAM

 

CAMProduct Design

  • Product Design and CAM (Robert Byrnes)
  • Solid modeling
  • Feature-based design
  • Assembly design
  • Design for assembly (DFA)
  • The principal axis
  • Design for manufacturing (DFM)
  • Design for cost reduction
  • Data management

 

CAMProduct Manufacturing

  • The manufacturing engineer (Robert Byrnes)
  • Manufacturing operations
  • Feature-based manufacturing
  • Process planning
  • Machining considerations
  • Standard parts
  • Lowering NC costs
  • Work in progress
  • Billet & stock management

 

CAMSolid Modeling Applications

  • Solid Modeling in Manufacturing (Robert Byrnes)
  • Robotics
  • Inspection
  • Physical Modeling
  • Rapid Prototyping (RP)
  • Tool Design

 

ICEM

  • 13 tips for working in ICEM Surf's Unified Modeling environment (Pete Moorhouse)

 

 

Version 2.5 (47 tips added on 07.25.04)

 

Data ExchangeData Loss

  • About data loss (eDocHelp)
  • How can data loss occur (eDocHelp)
  • Can the accuracy of the data change? (eDocHelp)
  • Data loss conclusions (eDocHelp)

 

Data ExchangeASP-based Applications

  • What's ASP-based data exchange? (eDocHelp)
  • Translation Technologies Inc. (TTI) (eDocHelp)
  • STEP Tools, Inc. (eDocHelp)
  • CADCAM-E.COM, Inc. (eDocHelp)
  • PlanetCAD, Inc. (eDocHelp)

 

Data ExchangeASP-based ApplicationsTesting Tips

  • ASP Testing (eDocHelp)
  • Customer/vendor tests (eDocHelp)
  • Measuring results (eDocHelp)
  • Test case characteristics (eDocHelp)
  • Test documentation (eDocHelp)
  • Review transfer logs (eDocHelp)

 

Data ExchangeASP-based ApplicationsGeneral Tips

  • Accuracy checking (eDocHelp)
  • Manpower and delivery (eDocHelp)
  • Manpower and design (eDocHelp)

 

Data ExchangeRound-table

  • IGES/STEP round-table discussion (eDocHelp)

 

Data ExchangeRound-tableIGES

  • What portions of the standard are not often used? (eDocHelp)
  • What impedes the use of the standard? (eDocHelp)
  • Recommended improvements (eDocHelp)
  • What can users do to improve how they use the standard? (eDocHelp)

 

Data ExchangeRound-tableSTEP

  • What is STEP? (eDocHelp)
  • Are portions of the standard not being used extensively? (eDocHelp)
  • What impedes the use of the standard? (eDocHelp)
  • How do PDM and PPM systems fit into STEP? (eDocHelp)
  • What improvements would you suggest? (eDocHelp)
  • What can users do to improve how they use the standard? (eDocHelp)
  • STEP recap (eDocHelp)

 

Data ExchangeRound-tableGeneral Concerns

  • Which standard does a better job? (eDocHelp)
  • Will STEP replace IGES? (eDocHelp)
  • Are they getting better and how can they be improved? (eDocHelp)
  • The data exchange dilemma (eDocHelp)

 

Documentation

  • Documenting 3D CAD models (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • The devil is in the details! (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Levels of associativity 1 (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Levels of associativity 2 (eDocHelp)
  • Space relationships (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Integration verses non-integration (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Understand your entities (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • 3D errors and clean up (eDocHelp)
  • The sketcher (Olaf Bellstedt and eDocHelp)
  • Desktop publishing (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Graphics formats (raster verses vector) (Olaf Bellstedt)
  • Graphics formats (reference list) (VX Corporation)

 

PTCPro/ENGINEER

  • Setting a Material Parameter to Read from a Material File (Eldon Goates)

 

 

Version 2.4 (23 tips added on 06.30.04)

 

Solid ModelingImplementation

  • How things can go wrong (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

 

Solid ModelingImplementationPlanning

  • Your hardware budget (Brian Ruuska)
  • Documenting project costs (Brian Ruuska)
  • Sharpen the axe (Brian Ruuska)
  • Designers and engineers (Brian Ruuska)
  • Avoid a poisoned attitude (Brian Ruuska)
  • A never-ending story (Brian Ruuska)
  • Hard disk space (Don LaCourse)
  • Benckmarking (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Order of accuracy (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

 

Solid ModelingImplementationTraining

  • Continued education options (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Computer based training (CBT's) (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Self-paced manuals (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Instructor led training (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Continuous improvement (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

 

Solid ModelingImplementationMoving to 3D

  • Implementation investments (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

 

PTCWindchill PDMLink

  • Performing a preference-based search in Windchill PDMLink (Jim Sweeney)

 

PTCPro/ENGINEER

  • A simple trick to make the required dimension (Eldon Goates)
  • Dimensioning schemes for saved sketcher sections (Eldon Goates)
  • Using Layers for Dimensions (Eldon Goates)
  • When Ref Patterns Get Confused (Eldon Goates)
  • Rediscovering "Good Modeling Practices" (Eldon Goates)

 

PTCPro/Intralink

  • Making a Pro/Intralink Workspace Mobile (Eldon Goates & Natarajan Murali)

 

 

Version 2.3 (135 tips added on 05.11.04)

 

Product Data Management (PDM)

  • What's the difference between PDM and PLM? (SolidWorks Corp)
  • Why we're having a 3D CAD data explosion (SolidWorks Corp)
  • Manage file relationships (SolidWorks Corp)
  • Manage different documents and control access (SolidWorks Corp)
  • Quickly find documents (for revision, re-use, etc.) (SolidWorks Corp)
  • Work effectively as a team (SolidWorks Corp)
  • Avoid increasing IT/administration burdens (SolidWorks Corp)

 

Hybrid Modeling

  • Hybrid modeling eases surface and solid modeling caveats (think3 Inc.)

 

Surface Modeling

  • Surface modeling caveat (think3 Inc.)

 

Solid Modeling

  • Solid modeling caveat (think3 Inc.)

 

Solid ModelingGood to Know

  • What you should know about shading (VX Corp)

 

Solid ModelingEditing

  • Rolling back the part's history (think3 Inc.)
  • Use caution when deleting (VX Corp)
  • When to regenerate the part history (VX Corp)
  • Use caution when editing geometry tolerances (VX Corp)

 

Solid ModelingImplementationTraining

  • Knowledge and capabilities (Philip Johnson)
  • What skills should be taught (George Mock)

 

Solid ModelingConstruction

  • Construction plane attributes (eDocHelp)
  • Copy, scale, mirror and pattern (eDocHelp)
  • The right amount of detail (John Gowans)(eDocHelp)
  • Think like a model maker (eDocHelp)
  • Do not get discouraged! (eDocHelp)
  • Modeling notes improve communications (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Choosing a geometry tolerance (VX Corp)

Solid ModelingPerformance

  • Strive for validity (eDocHelp)
  • Modeling precision (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Methods and performance (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

Solid ModelingImplementation

  • Who should read these tips and why (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Implementation strategies (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

Solid ModelingImplementationMoving to 3D (BONUS Section!!)

  • Change management (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Effectiveness (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Moving from 2D drafting to 3D Solid Modeling (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • The emotional cycle of change (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • How long will it take? (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Look inward (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • A case in point (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Easy for change (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Marketing internally (Brian Ruuska)
  • Lack of commitment (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Executive understanding (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Do not loose sight (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

Solid ModelingImplementationPreparation

  • You will need assistance (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

Solid ModelingImplementationNeeds & Productivity Analysis

  • Needs & productivity analysis (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Implementation: The analysis team (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Topics for analysis (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Three phases of analysis (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • CIM 12 Productivity indicators and benchmark (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

Solid ModelingImplementationPlanning

  • Internal user groups (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Configuration & performance (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Proficiency tests (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)
  • Backup & archive procedures (Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle)

Alias StudioToolsUser Interface (UI)

  • Instant access (Alias)
  • Instant recall (Alias)
  • Sharpen your focus (Alias)
  • Speed shifting (Alias)
  • Speed dialing (Alias)
  • Sketching hotkeys (Alias)

Alias StudioToolsModeling

  • Leave your signature (Alias)
  • Align snap technique (Alias)
  • Stay oriented (Alias)
  • Safety check (Alias)
  • Speed trimming (Alias)
  • Good timing (Alias)
  • Guide surface technique (Alias)
  • Guideline curve technique (Alias)
  • Even flow (Alias)
  • Who's the boss (Alias)

Solid Edge

  • Dimensioning Tips (UGS PLM Solutions)

thinkdesign

  • How to make best use of the history tree (think3)
  • How to use a visual bookmark to create a layout (think3)
  • How to insert a feature in the history tree (think3)
  • How to use the Multistretch Entities command effectively (think3)
  • How to make graphics operations faster (think3)
  • Underconstrained profiles (think3)
  • Slot and protrusion: "Extended Face" option (think3)
  • Layout: reference model opening and management (think3)
  • How to remove identical and overlapped surfaces (think3)
  • How to hide minidialogs and handle (think3)
  • Sheet Metal - how to manage side faces (think3)
  • General attributes management (think3)
  • Enhancements to the Split Curve command (think3)
  • Unlink standard part (thinkparts) (think3)
  • New surface splitting mode: UV parameter (think3)
  • Cleaning curves before creating a Lofted surface (think3)

VX CAD/CAMConfiguration

  • What to do after an Emergency Backup occurs (VX Corp)
  • Repeating commands automatically (VX Corp)

VX CAD/CAMSessions

  • Sessions - What to remember (VX Corp)
  • Advanced session management (VX Corp)
  • Temporarily set the max undo/redo (VX Corp)
  • Avoid two VX files with the same name (VX Corp)

VX CAD/CAMFiles

  • Use File Save As (VX Corp)
  • Quickly jump to your user directory (VX Corp)
  • Open files with non-standard extensions (VX Corp)
  • Back up your original point files (VX Corp)
  • Use the Clear Facets command (VX Corp)

VX CAD/CAMHistory Manager

  • If your VX files are unusually large (VX Corp)
  • Using (Ctrl) and (Shift) for Selection (VX Corp)
  • If you step through a lot (VX Corp)

VX CAD/CAMImport/Export

  • Importing dimensions into a sketch (VX Corp)
  • Import multiple files at the same time (VX Corp)
  • Create surfaces from imported STL data (VX Corp)

VX CAD/CAMModeling

  • Hole standards library (VX Corp)
  • When to add hole features (VX Corp)
  • Assigning hole attributes to shapes (VX Corp)
  • When patterning and mirroring components (VX Corp)
  • When smoothing faces (VX Corp)
  • When smoothing curves (VX Corp)
  • Using non-graphic components (VX Corp)
  • Be careful when moving or deleting "LocalCoord" operations (VX Corp)
  • Point clouds containing 50 million or more points (VX Corp)
  • All referenced parts are listed in the VX Search Path Form (VX Corp)
  • Managing point cloud data (VX Corp)
  • What you should know about copying sketches (VX Corp)
  • Curve editing with parting lines (VX Corp)

 

 

Version 2.2 (7 tips added on 04.01.04)

 

Alibre Design

  • Display a sub-assembly as an individual item in a Bill of Material (BOM) (Alibre Design)
  • Quick sketching tips (Alibre Design)
  • Keyboard shortcuts enhance productivity (Alibre Design)
  • Open and edit from top-level assembly workspace (Alibre Design)
  • Using node-to-figure sketch constraints (Alibre Design)
  • Managing versions (Alibre Design)
  • Automatic sketch constraints (Alibre Design)
  • Save time by specifying BOM data in part workspaces (Alibre Design)
  • Reduce sketching operations (Alibre Design)
  • Insert a 3D section view (Alibre Design)
  • Reduce modeling steps by creating sketches containing enclosed figures (Alibre Design)

AutoCAD

  • AutoCAD: Modeling ground surface (Naji Sfeir)

Solid ModelingImplementationPreparation

  • Selecting 3D CAD software (eDocHelp)

Data ExchangeIGESGeneral

  • File Format Facts (David Mattei)
  • Mapping solids to other data types (eDocHelp)

Assembly Modeling

  • Archiving assembly files (Cliff Wilcox)

 

 

Version 2.1 (8 tips added on 04.01.04)

 

Solid ModelingImplementationPlanning

  • Support systems (eDocHelp)

Solid ModelingImplementationMoving to 3D

  • In the loop (eDocHelp)
  • Problem solving (eDocHelp)
  • Balance process and product (eDocHelp)

Solid ModelingImplementationPreparation

  • Early users (eDocHelp)

Solid ModelingImplementationTraining

  • Skills assessment (eDocHelp)

 

 

Version 2.0 (8 tips added on 03.24.04)

 

Data ExchangeIGESGeneral

  • What flavoring techniques and IGES utilities can do (eDocHelp)

Data ExchangeIGESInteroperability Testing

  • Interoperability testing (eDocHelp)
  • Interoperability test preparations (eDocHelp)
  • Analyze interoperability test results (eDocHelp)
  • Judging interoperability test results (eDocHelp)

Data ExchangeIGESChecklists

  • Data preparation checklist (Hap Stokes)
  • Data integrity checklist (Hap Stokes)
  • Contingency plan checklist (Hap Stokes)

 

 

Version 1.5 (Initial Release on 03.15.04)