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Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?
4

Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
I've seen numerous threads on some specific questions, but with my situation, I'm wondering what sorts of things I need to know in making the jump to v2009.

Here's the thing--I really need to keep v2007 on this system at the same time if possible.  With that considered, this won't be a cleaned-registry sort of installation, but will be running along-side the clutter I've accumulated through v2007.

Any tips on the installation itself (I plan to install from the DVD after SP1 is released).  My VAR's presentation today really impressed me and I've got a page of notes of things I really want to try.

Since I've skipped v2008 entirely, I'm not yet familiar with the new interface.  I've never been a fan of the click-a-lot command manager, but instead am quite particular about having a million tool icons available.  On the other hand, with all the new stuff happening, I'm certainly willing to learn new tricks.  What would you specifically recommend in setting up things for optimal efficiency in v2009?  (I'm trying to transition from the developers' perspective to the users' perspective.)

If you know of something already mentioned in other threads, I'd appreciate a link to them.

Thanks!

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

They sold you at the roll-out, eh?  Sucker... Sorry I missed it.

I'd say first and foremost you are going to have to be pretty diligent about keeping your 09 files separated from your 07 files.  You'll need a decent directory structure or some other method to keep from getting your chocolate in your peanut butter, but I'm sure you already know this.  

During the install I would recommend that you disable the WDS option, since it can be a memory hog and rarely is useful.  There are several threads about WDS issues here and other fora.

As far as the UI goes, you'll get a lot of variation here.  I prefer dumping all of the toolbars and the command manager in order to push the UI to its limits of speed.  I use the "S" shortcut key, context menus, and liberal use of keyboard shortcuts to stretch the capabilities of the system.  I would prefer if the context menus were customizable, but that's another story.  You can do a quick search for "shortcut" or "s key" and find a bunch of arguments here and in other fora.  If you what exact details of my set up, just drop me a line.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Sorry, I got a little "submit post" happy.  I wish you could edit posts, anyway.

I failed to mentioned some of the biggest changes over 07.  You've heard about pretty much all of them already, but I think they are at least worth mentioning.  The whole PW/RV combination will take a bit of getting used to, but it isn't the worst in the world.  Rob and Mike Wilson have some good primers.  Also, the Motion Control which has taken over Animator and physical motion is a little different as well.  So be prepared for at least some frustrations on both fronts.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
Thanks, Dan.

Is WDS Windows Desktop Search?  If so, no problem--I can't stand search software, plus I have no need of it.

I've run two versions of SW on the same machine with previous releases, but it's been a while.  I know what you mean about mixed formats for the files, but I'll not have a problem with it--I'm a stickler for organized directory formats.

Thanks for the "differences" heads-up.  As for frustrations with something like Animator, I'm up to the challenge--I doubt I could be any more frustrated with it than I am now, but you never know.

RealView is spiffy and all, but since it's never allowed me to use my priority materials database of custom PhotoWorks stuff, I've found no use for it at all.  Why should I set up materials twice--and then have the materials look different from one another?  Weird.  And now we've got PV360 (Hypershot knock-off) added to the mix.  Joel, the SolidWorks Jedi driving the demo today mentioned PV360 might eventually replace PhotoWorks.

When you say the context menus aren't customizable, is that related to the "S" key menu?  I'd hate to have to hunt around for a command if I can have it reside in a toolbar.

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Seriously, Jeff, with the customizability of the 'S' key, you'll find that you hardly need your toolbars. (It's ok to let go of them, they'll be ok)
The context menus, though not customizable, are pretty good as they are.
You're going to have a bit of "culture" shock, but once you get used to things you'll be flying around I'm sure.

As for you dual install, just be sure you keep your toolbox files, and the like, separated. "Cross-pollinization" would be bad juju.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
Thanks, Jeff.  I guess since I really haven't used the "S" key, I'm a bit leery still--I'll have to try it out to get any feeling for utility there.

No problem on the Custom File installation location.  I always tell SolidWorks to dump that stuff under a directory with the specific version name mentioned.  (I also usually sever my Toolbox fasteners and stuff from the default directory, so it all rides with the project.  No more jumbo fastener errors for me.)

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Another thing to disable ASAP is the Dissection/Clip art function. It takes forever to run, is a resource hog, takes up oodles of storage space, and the more that's dissected the harder it is to find what you want. I found it to be a total waste.

As for the S key shortcut, there's no need for any trepidation there. Just imagine all the tools you need appearing next to the cursor, just when you need them, and  at the touch of a single button. I love it! Combining that with an ever growing use of keyboard shortcuts and most of the time my command manager stays hidden.

I think you'll enjoy using it after a short acclimatisation period.  

cheers

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Of course, you can remap the shortcut bar from the "s" key to some location that's reachable with your left hand if you're in the habit of keeping it somewhere screwy like the right side of the keyboard... winky smile

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Don't you people sleep?smile

Theo, the context menus are the menus that pop-up whenever you right or left click.  These are the ones that you can't change.  The "S" key is separate from that.  You can even map the "S" key to an extra mouse button if you like.  Also, I forgot to mention that you should turn off the Instant 3D nonsense.  There are a host of goofy things it causes problems with.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Actually I've found the WDS has proven to be useful on a few occasions. After de-selecting the XML filter in the Windows Search Options (aka Index Options) > Advanced >File Types the WDS workings are barely noticeable. (I believe it was pdybeck who alerted me to that trick) And once the main indexing is complete, the incremental indexing is completely invisible.

The caveat to the above is that I've also restricted the folders which are indexed. I only allow the folders I store my SW models in to be indexed; not the whole computer.

 

cheers

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Excellent post CBL!!  I too have also found WDS and Dissection to be very helpful.  Key to it all was taking the 5 minutes to understand what was happening and correctly adjusting it for what was needed.  In place of the old classic "Doesn't work turn it off" before even knowing what it's doing or its intention.

In regards to upgrading, I'm sure this goes without saying but everyone at least skims the "What's new" document for each release including the ones they're skipping right?? winky smile  I've found so many times that useful tools are implemented and no one notices.  Taking the time to at least glance over the provided documentation will pay dividends!

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
Certified DriveWorks AE
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100
Dell M90, Core 2 Duo, 4g RAM, Nvidia Quadra FX2500M
Equus (custom), P4, 3.4g proc, 3g RAM, Nvidia Quadro FX3400

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

sldwkmin,

Thanks, but I'll have to disagree with the usefulness of the Dissection function. See my first post above. I admit I didn't use it very much though. Maybe I'll try again some day to see if anything has changed.

cheers

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
Thanks, guys, for the heads-up on some of those items.  I have no need for a search function--my directory structure builds in the intelligence to find anything I need, so any amount of resources spent on "search" is a net loss for me--no way I'll install that noise.

What is the purpose of the Dissection function?  What are the claimed advantages?  It seems the problem is the use of too many resources.

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

The dissection function is supposed to give you the option of reusing features.  This is sort of a "feature paint" option that was introduced in 08.  I've never seen the use for it, personally.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
Perfect--thanks!  And thanks for the warning against that--I don't have repetitive forms in my designs (hey, they make thousands [or millions] of copies of my widgets later--no need to over-duplicate things), so something like this wouldn't help in my area.

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

I asked a question about the 09 task scheduler conversion wizard going into the 07 toolbox and updating the files when converting a 07 assembly, but got no response. I'm assuming no one has used it. This is something to be careful of if you use the tool.

I've had issues with some comp curves having errors when I bring 07 files into 09. I found bringing them into 08, then up to 09 rebuilt the comp curves correctly.

materials can go a bit wacky because of the way things changed based on placing material at the part vs. assembly level. I have always done all appearances at the part level, so it is a non issue for me. I saw a presentation from Rob where he did a good job of addressing the new ways that appearances work, and how an assembly can look very different if you placed materials at the assembly level in 07.

One other note, is that I started using 09 here at work on a machine that has 07, 08. When I did a fresh install at home of 09 (due to a hard drive crash) i noticed that I really like the setup of the color scheme. I had created my own on 07, but I liked the scheme in 09, so I restored the defaults on my machine. You may want to do the same, because the 09 install will use your reg from 07. Orange and blues kind of appeal to me.

I still have issues with driving 09. I find myself all the time instinctively going to the GUI like i'm in 07. Old habits are hard to break. But once you start going to RMB and S key for everything, you'll wonder why the didn't do it sooner.

I really have no use for this Fillet Xpert / Dim Xpert stuff, but maybe i just have't used it correctly.

Thats all that i can think of currently.

rfus

 

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
Thanks, rfus.  How would you recommend I keep v2009 from using my v2007 registry entries if I plan to keep v2007 on this machine?  I REALLY don't want to uninstall v2007 just to install v2009 (seems silly), but I would like to see the new defaults so I can decide whether to keep them (same with templates, etc.).

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

I've found dissection useful in situations where you have a particular cut feature or pattern that doesn't necessarily lend itselt to enough use to justify creating a library feature but gets re-used occassionally.  You can just browse for that feature and drag it in.

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
Certified DriveWorks AE
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100
Dell M90, Core 2 Duo, 4g RAM, Nvidia Quadra FX2500M
Equus (custom), P4, 3.4g proc, 3g RAM, Nvidia Quadro FX3400

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Quote:


but I would like to see the new defaults so I can decide whether to keep them (same with templates, etc.).

Hmm, that's a real toughie.  The problem is, (at least in my past experience) SW doesn't create the registry entries until after you run it for the first time.  So when you run 09 for the first time, it will search your machine for 07 settings and "copy" them over to 09.  If it doesn't find any previous settings, it creates the default.  However, once 09 settings are created, you can't use the Copy Settings Wizard to copy from 07 to 09, because all the wizard does is take the contents of the .sldreg file and cram 'em into the registry, where they will be ignored.

The good news: I think a lot of the settings are user-specific.  Just create yourself a new account in XP and run 09.  It should make a large portion of the settings revert back to the default.  We've had that happen when we bring in a temp drafter.   

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

You can do that without the Dissection function. Just copy and paste a feature or sketch from one part to another.

cheers

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

You'll need a .sldreg file for the default setup on an 09 install. I can post one tonight that I have on a flash drive at home. Then you can copy what you want from 07 (i did - keyboard shorts, menu custom, and toolbar layout macro only) with the copy settings wizard and apply it to 09. The only thing is, if you don't do system options, you'll have to manually go set your paths and templates.

rfus  

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

Before installing 09 update the approved graphics driver for 09, and test that 07 still runs properly.

cheers

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

I have found the windows search to be most useful in finding old emails.  We have a limited inbox size so I end up sorting my emails in separate outlook files by year because I got sick of 1 email needing to go into 5 different folders.  With windows search I can search all the folders/files in Outlook.  Before I had to go into each folder and run the search and may or may not find the email.  With the Windows search I just type in what I am looking for click email and I have not been let down yet.

I have only used it once for a copy a feature.

It did save me a few hours because it was able to find a file that had been checked into the wrong folder in our PDMworks vault.  I never would have found it without windows search.  I might have stumbled across it in a year or so but never would have found it when I was looking for it.
 

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

This was touched upon by rfus, but you may want to convert models from 2007 to 2008 and then from 2008 to 2009 rather than converting from 2007 to 2009 directly.

You can probably get the default 2009 settings by renaming the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2007 and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2007 registry keys before installing 2009 and then changing them back to their original names after 2009 has been installed and ran once.

Eric

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
Thanks, all.

That's perfect Eric--I remembered there was such a trick around, but couldn't remember what it was, exactly.

The problem with the v2008 install is that it's permanent place is on the shelf, not cluttering my computer.  I REALLY  don't want to mess with v2008 at all if not necessary.  (Hey, maybe I've found a great use for my VAR in terms of tech support--I'll send problematic files to them to convert.)

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

RE: Jumping from 2007 to 2009--what do I need to know?

(OP)
Yeah, just Tuesday I went to the roll-out (top post).  I saw a few things I can make use of--and the demo never crashed, so the possible stability would also be welcome.  Of course, I'm using v2007, so stability really hasn't been a problem from my point of view.

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

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