These config enhancements could be my fav thing about SW2008. It will likely go largly unsung, but config management is a major issue, especially in large assembly situations, or library part situations. Thanks for shedding some light on this one Ricky. -Tim (Seattle)
Josh
· 2 years ago
Hey Ricky, great post. just wondering what your personal opinion was on these enhancements. I thought the Modify Configurations was a little hard to work in when there were large tables. I do like how they made display states separate from configurations.
Ricky Jordan
· 2 years ago
Josh,
Here is what I like about the Modify Configurations:
You can really add configurations quickly without having to create a Design Table. It also allows you to quickly view parameter(s) across multiple configurations. (In the Modify dialog box, selecting "Specified Configuration" actually sends you directly to the Modify Configurations table.)
Here are the things I don't like so much. The size of the window for the table always comes up the same size. I would like it to either remember a size (per document) or adjust automatically as I add more configurations or parameters. The tab button on the keyboard could work a little better. When you get to the end of a row you have to click on the next row to start again.
Overall, it is a step in the right direction. It is a little bit redundant, but to me the biggest advantage is the speed factor in adding the data.
Also, thanks for mentioning the Display States thing. That probably should have been in the article as well. I REALLY like how they are not configuration dependent now!
Best Regards,
Ricky Jordan
Gary Hall
· 2 years ago
Ricky,
Excellent post on the new Configurator. That is really going to be a nice feature.
Gary
benny
· 2 years ago
nice looks like a bad imitation IPARTS in autodesk inventor what a pity
Ricky Jordan
· 2 years ago
LOL! I don't know very much about Inventor but the things I have heard about iParts seem to indicate to me that there are some differences between it and Configurations in SolidWorks. I'm sure you can compare them in some ways, but keep in mind that Configurations in SolidWorks are created within a single part file.
The thing to remember about the Modify Configurations feature I showed is that it is simply one of FOUR ways to create configurations in SolidWorks. Perhaps someone who knows both packages can verify the differences.
Best Regards,
Ricky Jordan
Eddie Cyganik
· 2 years ago
Thanks for the SW08 Update.
Can all of the enhancements be used if a Design Table is present?
I sure hope so but your write-up specifically mentions, "Not having to create a DT..." and "When you don't have a DT..."
Thank you, eddie
Ricky Jordan
· 2 years ago
Hi Eddie,
I tested this with a part file that contained a Design Table. Adding a configuration using the "Modify Configurations" option did not automatically add the new configuration to the Design Table. However, the next time you open your Design Table, you will have the option to add the new configuration. You have to have "New Configurations" checked under the "Add new rows/columns in the design table for" group box when editing the Design Table feature.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
All Comments
Here is what I like about the Modify Configurations:
You can really add configurations quickly without having to create a Design Table. It also allows you to quickly view parameter(s) across multiple configurations. (In the Modify dialog box, selecting "Specified Configuration" actually sends you directly to the Modify Configurations table.)
Here are the things I don't like so much. The size of the window for the table always comes up the same size. I would like it to either remember a size (per document) or adjust automatically as I add more configurations or parameters. The tab button on the keyboard could work a little better. When you get to the end of a row you have to click on the next row to start again.
Overall, it is a step in the right direction. It is a little bit redundant, but to me the biggest advantage is the speed factor in adding the data.
Also, thanks for mentioning the Display States thing. That probably should have been in the article as well. I REALLY like how they are not configuration dependent now!
Best Regards,
Ricky Jordan
Excellent post on the new Configurator. That is really going to be a nice feature.
Gary
what a pity
The thing to remember about the Modify Configurations feature I showed is that it is simply one of FOUR ways to create configurations in SolidWorks. Perhaps someone who knows both packages can verify the differences.
Best Regards,
Ricky Jordan
Can all of the enhancements be used if a Design Table is present?
I sure hope so but your write-up specifically mentions, "Not having to create a DT..." and "When you don't have a DT..."
Thank you,
eddie
I tested this with a part file that contained a Design Table. Adding a configuration using the "Modify Configurations" option did not automatically add the new configuration to the Design Table. However, the next time you open your Design Table, you will have the option to add the new configuration. You have to have "New Configurations" checked under the "Add new rows/columns in the design table for" group box when editing the Design Table feature.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best Regards,
Ricky Jordan