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Archive for April, 2009

I had told you before, quite a few days ago, that I was anxiously waiting for the arrival of a demo unit of 3DConnexion’s new SpacePilot PRO. Well, it arrived a couple of days after I wrote that post, and I’ve been playing with it ever since, trying to find out if it’s all I was hoping it would be. Unfortunately for me, I ran into some trouble and so it was that this particular hardware review almost wasn’t. But I’ll tell you all about that in just a few more minutes.

First, let me tell you about the very first thing that caught my eye ever since the moment I saw the unit at that meeting in Orlando.  Well, it’s actually the second thing, because the first one really was the fact that the whole unit seems to be more ergonomic and comfortable to use, a real relief, actually, for those of us that have suffered or still suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. Anyway, let me tell you a bit about the LCD workflow assistant. This is a small LCD full-color screen located at the top of the unit, and it displays visual feedback about the function keys, navigation settings keys, and other information, such as email, rss feeds, important tasks, and calendar. It certainly is attractive, but is it also useful? Well, let’s see… My favorite, of course, is the applet that provides information about the function keys, quick navigation keys and navigation settings in the SpacePilot PRO. It is very convenient to get information on what commands your different keys are mapping to, and the LCD color screen is also easier on the eyes than the little screen on the old SpacePilot.

 

I’m not so thrilled about the Microsoft Outlook email applet, though. The way it is right now, it allows you to see your incoming email, but you can only see email that has arrived to your Inbox, not to any other folders, not even to those under the Inbox folder, and you also still need to have Outlook opened in the background for it to work. The same applies to the Outlook Calendar and Outlook Tasks applets.  The RSS feeds, however, has proven useful to me in the last few days. Basically, it allows you to receive short excerpts of rss feeds of your choice (the news, a blog, Twitter search), find one that interests you, move to it with the arrows, click OK, and read it on your computer screen. You don’t need to have anything opened in the background for this one to work. I’ve been using it to keep track of the development of the Swine flu in my country of birth, Mexico, while working on something else in my computer. Really useful!  

I know, it may seem like this little LCD screen is more bells and whistles, but the really exciting thing about it is that it doesn’t necessarily end here, just with these few default applets. Actually, since it is based on open software architecture, it is possible to create custom made applets for many different purposes. While at the meeting, we were talking about the possibility of having, for instance, SolidWorks tips and tricks delivered to that little screen, or perhaps a small video tutorial, or even a SolidJott applet, why not? The possibilities are endless!

The 3DConnexion cap, the heart of this 3D mouse, works pretty much the same way as it did in the SpacePilot, but, I don’t know if it is my imagination or what, I think it is somehow more sensitive in the SpacePilot PRO than it was before. Perhaps it’s only that the whole unit feels a lot more comfortable on the wrist? Could be.

The Navigation Settings Keys are not so different from what was already available in the SpacePilot PRO. They basically allow you to restrict navigation, to avoid, for instance, rotating the part (turn rotation off) or zooming and panning (turn translations off).  These can prove very useful depending on what kind of work you’re doing; perhaps you just need to rotate the part to select entities from it, for instance. In this case, turning translations off would do the trick.

The quick navigation keys have also been revamped when compared to the old SpacePilot. Now you have five keys, of which three of them enable you to select six standard views of the model (top, front, right, left, bottom and back) by means of a short and long press mode. You push for a short time, you get the top view, you push for a longer time and you get the bottom view. You also have two isometric views, and a button that rotates the model in increments of 90 degrees around an axis normal to the screen.  The Fit button is still there, you help you fit the model to the screen, in case you get lost while zooming or panning.

And now let me tell you about those Function Keys. These keys are by default mapped to ten different SolidWorks commands, relevant to the kind of document you open. There are three default configurations of keys, one for parts, one for assemblies and one for drawings, but you can create your own configurations by mapping the buttons. This is probably what excited me the most about the SpacePilot PRO, and sadly, the one thing about it that gave me tons of trouble just to get it to work properly. You see, according to the description of the product, and what I saw during the meeting in Orlando, I was expecting to be able to use these five little buttons to program the SpacePilot PRO by mapping different commands to each button and then saving my particular arrangement as a configuration for later use. It is an exciting thing not only because now I have more buttons available (these ones also work with short and long press like the quick navigation keys), but also because I can save an endless number of different configurations of keys, and even map other keys in the SpacePilot PRO, and program my own macros for each configuration, as well, by using the custom functions option available through the 3DConnexion Control Panel under the button configuration tab.

That sounds really good, only when I tried mapping buttons and saving configurations of keys to use with SolidWorks, my configurations kept changing back to the default values, or I would see strange behavior, such as seeing in the LCD display that the command Offset Faces was mapped to button 4 in the SpacePilot, then pushing button 4 and having Shell execute instead. At some point, I managed to save quite a few configurations for the SpacePilot PRO to use with SolidWorks, but I could only change from one to the other by first closing SolidWorks, then opening it again and selecting the new configuration from the 3DConnexion control panel before opening any document.  

After struggling for quite some time, I decided to seek for advice from their tech support. I can’t complain because they were quick to answer my requests, gave me great attention, and plenty of ideas on what could be wrong and how to fix it.  I was told that perhaps a file was corrupted, in particular because I had a SpacePilot for this machine before and I had installed on top of that, without uninstalling the other one first. Then they advised me to uninstall the software that accompanies the SpacePilot PRO, clean the registries and other tidbits of files left behind, and do a new, clean installation of it. I did just that… several times, actually… With each uninstall/install cycle, I was finding more and more little tidbits that had been left behind, scattered in different places of my hard drive and that could very well be the reason for my problems. I was also finding more quirky behavior from the SpacePilot PRO. At some point during this process, the LCD stopped working and would only display an image of the SpacePilot PRO, even when the buttons were still working. I was beginning to think that I had received the one demo unit that happened to be defective, but it was then that I learned that Jeff Mirisola had experienced similar issues with his demo unit, as well. He helped me out in making sure that I was really doing a clean installation this time around and thanks to him the SpacePilot PRO worked again and I was able to map the function keys one more time.  Still, I continue to obtain strange results when trying to save configurations of function keys.

I’m still trying to figure out what exactly went wrong. I tried the SpacePilot PRO with Photoshop and didn’t have these problems at all when creating configurations for function keys. I’ve been told by 3DConnexion’s tech support that the SpacePilot PRO has been extensively tested and has been observed to work properly with SolidWorks, still they realize that it’s brand new and don’t deny the possibility of some issue arising; that’s why they really appreciate the feedback. Personally, I wonder about the possibility of a little bug in the software that may affect the way the 3D mouse interacts with SolidWorks, specially because it didn’t just happened to me. If that’s the case, I’m sure it can be fixed with a new version of the driver or a patch or some kind.

Even with all my struggles to make those function keys work, I still consider this new SpacePilot PRO an awesome 3D mouse, powerful, comfortable like nothing else, and full of potential. My only other huge disappointment: it won’t work with PhotoView 360! How come? Well, maybe soon… In the meantime, I’ll continue exploring this unit, just in case there’s something else, something really great  I still haven’t found out about it.

This is the hard part for me. I really wish I had more coupons to give to each one of you that entered the giveaway, but sadly I don’t.  Five winners were chosen randomly from all the comments and emails received and they are:

David Walker

Mahir Abrahim

Mark (It didn’t say much more than Mark, but it’s the only Mark that entered, so, yes, it’s you Mark)

SteveF

Prasad (same here, no other Prasad)

The winners will be contacted shortly and we’ll get the ball rolling. Congratulations to those that won and thanks to all that entered for participating! And also thank you to DS SolidWorks certification team for making this possible!

That’s right! I’m giving away ten coupons for a free SolidWorks certification test. Five will be given to readers of this blog and the other five to readers of SolidWorks para Todos, my blog in Spanish.  Now the really neat thing is that once you win one of these coupons you can actually choose which of the five certification tests available you want to take:

• CSWP-Core Modeling Specialist: (8,329 certified professionals worldwide)
• CSWP-Advanced Sheet Metal: (457 certified worldwide so far)
• CSWP-Advanced Surfacing: (61 certified worldwide so far)
• CSWP-FEA (Simulation): (35 certified worldwide so far)
• CSWA (Education): (8,086 certified worldwide and growing every minute)

Usually, you would have to pay up to $100 dollars to take a certification test, but today ten lucky readers will have it for free!

You can find more information about each of these tests and what you need to know in order to pass by visiting the SolidWorks Certification Homepage.  

Let me tell you, I’ve taken and passed both the CSWA and CSWP-core exams, and I’m currently preparing for the Advanced Sheet Metal test.  I see obtaining that certification as an important milestone in my learning process, as a way to have something to show for all the effort I’ve put in training myself, and as a “secret weapon” that can even open a few doors when it comes to job search. Last year, for instance, when a local reseller called me about a job as an Applications Engineer, they told me that one of the things that made my resume stand out from a list of possible matches for that position was precisely that I was a CSWP. I didn’t apply for that position because it wasn’t a good match for my own crazy life back then, but see? Right there, there was a job and all because I was a CSWP!

And I’ve heard that the certification process has been greatly improved ever since I took those two tests. Now it’s even easier than ever to access the certification center to take the exam and also to access information about your results and other certifications previously obtained. And if you manage a team of users, you can set up certification tests for all of them and even track their progress.

OK, so this is how you can get the free test… First I thought about making you guys design the perfect pet door for me. See, I have this little Chihuahua mutt that keeps soiling my carpet, and I bought a pet door that was supposed to work fine with my sliding glass door to the backyard… Err… Never mind that! All you have to do is leave a comment here saying, in your own words, why you want to get certified. That’s it! Very simple! The winners will be chosen at random from all the entries. Hurry up! Winners will be announced by Tuesday 21^st at 11:00 am PT.  You can also send an email or use the contact form, just remember to use a valid email address so I can contact you back and give you information about how to redeem your coupon for the free test!

Good luck!

OK, so this is one of those really cool things about being a blogger and attending an event such as SolidWorks World as “press”: you get to see all these awesome new gadgets before they’re made available to the public or even announced.  The hard part is that you have to keep it a secret, and you can’t tell a single soul (not even your aunt Gladys if you have one) about all the wonders you’ve witnessed until after the formal announcement has been made. That’s tough!

Fortunately for me, there’s no more need to keep quiet. The secret’s out!  And take a look at it. This is the newest and most powerful 3D mouse that anyone has ever come up with and I got to see it in action (and even play with it a bit) back in February, during a meeting I had with the folks from 3DConnexion, while at SolidWorks World  2009, in Orlando.

Like I said before, I got to try one of these for a bit while at the meeting, but it was for only such a brief moment that I’m literally dying to get my hands on one of these units again to test it more thoroughly… all in the name of CAD and science, of course, and always keeping my readers’ best interest in mind. OK, I confess, I fell in love with it since the moment I laid eyes on it!

Until then, I leave you with the information from the press release and a handsome picture for your enjoyment.  For more information on this and other 3D mice from 3DConnexion, visit their website at www.3Dconnexion.com

 

3Dconnexion Launches Its Most Powerful 3D Mouse Ever: the SpacePilot PRO

 

Integrated Color LCD Workflow Assistant, QuickView Navigation Technology, and Intelligent Function Keys Save Time and Reduce Interruptions

 

FREMONT, Calif. – April 16, 2009 – To meet the rigorous demands of design engineers working in powerful 3D applications, 3Dconnexion today announced the new SpacePilot™ PRO. The company’s flagship 3D mouse is designed to deliver advanced control of 3D models, easier access to the power of professional 3D applications, fewer interruptions in the design workflow, and superior comfort. Specifically, the SpacePilot PRO features a new color LCD Workflow Assistant, second-generation QuickView Navigation technology, Intelligent Function keys, and an improved design for enhanced comfort and control.

 

“3Dconnexion’s 3D mice have rewritten the rules on the way design engineers and professionals interact with 3D environments,” said Dieter Neujahr, president of 3Dconnexion. “Our new SpacePilot PRO builds on our market-leading industry experience, delivering the most powerful 3D mouse we’ve ever made. It enables increased performance that ultimately results in better designs, created in less time.”

 

The SpacePilot PRO 3D mouse provides the highest level of performance features ever available from 3Dconnexion, including:

 

-      LCD Workflow Assistant: The color LCD lists function-key assignments and provides at-a-glance access to Microsoft^® Outlook^® e-mail, calendar and task lists, allowing professionals to access important information for a fully integrated design experience with fewer distractions. Through 3Dconnexion’s open software architecture, the workflow assistant can be further customized to meet the needs of individuals, companies and software vendors.

 

-      Advanced MCAD Navigation: Five new dual-function QuickView Navigation keys
improve error detection, design review, and design presentation by providing one-touch access to the following views: top and bottom, right and left, front and back, two isometric views, and 90-degree view rotation of any view either clockwise or counter-clockwise – for a total of 32 views. A short press activates a key’s primary view command, while pressing and holding a key activates a secondary view command. In addition, new Navigation Setting keys offer simplified and customizable control, allowing professionals to turn pan-and-zoom, rotation and one-axis control on or off, making it easier to define navigation settings for certain work modes.

 

-      Intelligent Function Keys: Five new fully customizable, dual-function keys offer immediate, one-touch access to 10 frequently used commands within any supported 3D application. The SpacePilot PRO automatically detects the active application and assigns appropriate function keys – whether default or customized. The color LCD denotes the function key assignments and application mode so engineers can easily identify commands and design states.

 

-      Superior Comfort: The SpacePilot PRO has a new sculpted, soft-coated wrist rest that positions the hand in relation to the controller cap to support a balanced workflow. The micro-precision six-degrees-of-freedom sensor allows for fingertip control with minimal effort from the arm, wrist and hand, while frequently used commands are conveniently positioned at your fingertips. The intuitive and symmetrical layout of the function keys makes the device usable with either hand.

 

About 3Dconnexion 3D Mice

Unlike traditional mice confined to motion on one flat plane, 3Dconnexion 3D mice enable design engineers to move in all three dimensions simultaneously, using six-degrees–of-freedom sensor technology. By gently lifting, pressing and turning the controller cap, design engineers can easily pan, zoom and rotate without stopping to select commands. Using a 3D mouse together with a traditional mouse engages both hands into a balanced and cooperative work style.

 

3Dconnexion provides advanced and affordable 3D mice that are supported by more than 130 of today’s leading and powerful 3D applications, including Autodesk Inventor^TM, SolidWorks^TM, CATIA^TM, Pro/ENGINEER^TM, NX^TM and Solid Edge^TM. For a complete list of applications supported by 3Dconnexion, visit www.3dconnexion.com/solutions.

 

Compatibility, Pricing and Availability

The SpacePilot PRO is backed by a three-year warranty, and is currently available at a suggested retail price of $499. The SpacePilot PRO is supported by Windows XP, Windows Vista^®, Sun Solaris 8 (SPARC), Sun Solaris 10 (x86), and Linux^® (Redhat Enterprise Linux WS 4, SuSE 9.3 or later). Linux and Solaris support workflow assistant function key assignments only.

 

The entire 3Dconnexion product line, including the Professional Series with the SpacePilot™ (MSRP $399) and SpaceExplorer™ (MSRP $299), and the Standard Series with the SpaceNavigator (MSRP $99) and SpaceNavigator for Notebooks (MSRP $129), are available from professional CAD resellers and major online resellers including CDW, Insight, PC Connection, and PC Mall. For a complete list of resellers or to buy directly, visit www.3Dconnexion.com.

 

About 3Dconnexion, a Logitech Company
3Dconnexion, a wholly owned subsidiary of Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI), is the leading provider of 3D mice for 3D design and visualization. 3Dconnexion devices support today’s most popular and powerful 3D applications by offering users a more intuitive and natural way to interact with computer-generated 3D content. 3Dconnexion’s award-winning 3D mice serve a wide variety of industries and are used by 3D designers, animators and artists worldwide. 3Dconnexion is headquartered in Fremont, Calif. with European headquarters in Seefeld, Germany and offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.3Dconnexion.com.

I’ve been out of action for several days, suffering from what may seem like an awful case of conjunctivitis, or extremely dry eye, most likely related to the presence (and recent growth) of scar tissue on my cornea as a result of a chemical burn I suffered a few years ago while working with strain gauges. It feels worse than it sounds, believe me!  It also comes and goes, never lasts more than a few days and then I’m fine again, but you can bet I’m not precisely fun to be with while it lasts, because during those days I can’t even stand the light and it certainly feels as if I had rubbed chili peppers on my eyeballs. Today I’m feeling much better, and I’m thankful that my husband recorded for me a new show from the Discovery Channel that I was curious about: Doing Da Vinci.  

Have you seen that show? I find it very interesting. Basically, you have a team of guys who are experts at building all kinds of stuff and gadgets (think gadgets for special effects in movies and such) trying to bring Leonardo’s never before built designs of war machines to life.  So it goes like this: Dr. Pevsner, who has devoted a great deal of his life to studying Da Vinci’s work, challenges the team with a particular machine and also provides the sketches and information about the design as they appear in Leonardo’s notes. Next, the engineer of the team takes the sketches and information available and creates a 3D model (using Autodesk Inventor), blueprints and instructions for the rest of the crew to actually build and assemble Leonardo’s invention. Of course, it’s not that easy…  For instance, they try to keep the selection of materials as close as possible to what Leonardo would’ve used to build the prototype of his invention, but they still have to make choices along the way, and facilitate their work by using machines that Leonardo probably didn’t have laying around in his shop, but that he may have liked had they been available back then.  In the episode I watched, for instance, the engineer decided on adding ball bearings to Leonardo’s design of a war tank, even though most of us are almost sure they didn’t actually exist back then, but Dr. Pevsner justified his choice by arguing (with pictures and all) that Leonardo may have actually invented the very first bearings way back then.  Of course, when later on  they brought in the CNC machine  after the engineer managed to break the blade of the saw they were previously using (why is it always the engineer that breaks things?), my husband and I joked that it was probably a valid choice because it was likely that Leonardo invented the CNC mill, as well.

Jokes aside, I find this show extremely interesting because it’s not precisely a show about design, like in the case of Prototype This, but about what happens after the design phase is complete. See, the design phase already took place hundreds of years ago, and this is now about how to take that design and make it a reality, and it’s interesting because this is precisely what a great deal of people that work with SolidWorks and other 3D modeling software need to figure out every day. While it’s true that a few will be actually inventing something new for a living, most will be working on bringing someone else’s idea to life, just like the engineer in the show, creating the 3D model out of Da Vinci’s sketches and notes, and pouring out of his own experience and common sense in selecting materials and making a few adaptations to it while staying as close as possible to the original design.

Some time ago I had asked another SolidWorks blogger who has his own business and who usually works with inventors and other particulars doing precisely that, if he could write about it, about what he does for his clients, about the process involved and what part he plays in it, and he told me there was not much to say about it, that sometimes there were sketches, sometimes just a few doodles on a napkin, not much to say about it…  I think there is a lot more to say about it. While it may not seem very romantic for some, because there’s not actual design taking place here, it’s interesting just the same, perhaps even more so because it involves reality and that’s precisely what I think is sometimes missing for many of us engineers: the bridge between the idea, the design, and the world of reality, of what’s practical, of what can really be built and what it will take to do it. Of course, in this case it is even better because it’s not just any design, it’s Leonardo Da Vinci’s!  Great show, I still wish they had chosen SolidWorks for their solid modeling, though…  J