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

[Theophilus]

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

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

 

[handleman]

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)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

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

 

[rfus]

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

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

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

 

[GRF]

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.

 

[EEnd]

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

 

[Theophilus]

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

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.

 

[fcsuper]

I agree, don't bother with 2008. Just go to 2009. Has your VAR put on any seminars for 2009?

Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group

 

[Theophilus]

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

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.