We've had 2010 up and running for a few months now. The week leading up to our deployment and the week after were some of the craziest I've had in a long time. The deployment went very smooth. It took our entire IT department about 72 Man hours to get the software all deployed. I think I walked about 50 miles going around the building helping people learn how to use the ECO in Vault Manufacturing. I'll have to post later on how we're using the ECO process.
We have found that with 2010 our computer systems are not doing so well, so we're looking at upgrading them to 64-bit.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Autodesk 2010 deployment
I'm getting ready to finally deploy my Autodesk 2010 software. It's been a crazy year in getting this all planned, but I'm down to the final components and preparations. Here's what I'm up against.
New network licensing, new Vault server, 50+ workstations to update, and new workflows.
Because of licensing changes to the Vault software I had to purchase an additional 50 seats. I have to have this because we're expanding our use of the Vault Manufacturing software and implementing the ECO function built in to Vault Manufacturing.
I get to work over a weekend with the entire IT department to get our Vault server and the workstations updated with the new software. That's going to be a tall order, because not only do we have to install on the Engineering computers, but on every computer of people that are going to be involved in the ECO process.
Can't have a new process without training. The week leading up to our deployment I get to train everybody on how they'll be doing ECO. This is a fundamental change from the current process, but a necessary one. We're trying to get ISO certified.
Once I get it done for one location, Then I to get on a plane to go do another location. It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks.
New network licensing, new Vault server, 50+ workstations to update, and new workflows.
Because of licensing changes to the Vault software I had to purchase an additional 50 seats. I have to have this because we're expanding our use of the Vault Manufacturing software and implementing the ECO function built in to Vault Manufacturing.
I get to work over a weekend with the entire IT department to get our Vault server and the workstations updated with the new software. That's going to be a tall order, because not only do we have to install on the Engineering computers, but on every computer of people that are going to be involved in the ECO process.
Can't have a new process without training. The week leading up to our deployment I get to train everybody on how they'll be doing ECO. This is a fundamental change from the current process, but a necessary one. We're trying to get ISO certified.
Once I get it done for one location, Then I to get on a plane to go do another location. It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks.
Friday, May 1, 2009
AutoCAD Constraints
I've been working with AutoCAD in a professional capacity since R14. It could do everything I wanted and what it lacked, I was able to customize through programming. In 2004 I took a job as an Applications Engineer for an Autodesk reseller and it was there that I was introduced to parametrics. I started by learning this program called Inventor. In Inventor you can make the sketch geometry behave in predictable ways by using geometric constraints and parametric dimensions. Needless to say I was hooked.
It has taken Autodesk many years but AutoCAD and all it's many flavors now have the ability to apply geometric constraints to elements! This is very exciting for someone who didn't know what he was missing, until he found it in another application. Since the release of AutoCAD 2010 I have spent some time playing with this "new" feature.
Our company has hired some new young engineers that can solid model pretty good. Most engineering programs require solid modeling on some 3D application. When we bring them on board I can usually get them working well in Inventor. Teaching them AutoCAD is an entirely different workflow, and mindset. Constraints in AutoCAD will help with this an aweful lot.
Workflow:
The workflow I follow in AutoCAD is the same I teach all who cross my path in learning 3D. SKETCH -> CONSTRAIN -> DIMENSION. This will create a robust drawing that will behave in predictable ways.
First, Sketch. Draw what you need, don't focus on the actual size. (Did I just tell an AutoCAD person NOT to care about size?) YES! When working with parametrics we don't concern ourselves with the actual size, just the configuration / basic outline. This is the rough sketch phase, just get your design on paper.
Second, Constrain. Geometric constraints create relationships between entities. I'm not going to go into detail in this blog on the function of each of the geometric constraints, just discuss their use. When people work in 2D they are focused on the here and now, working on the finished product at the time of creation. 2D guys can be very fast. I tell people that if you put a 2D guy up against a 3D guy creating the same drawing the 2D guy will be done first. Then just when they are about done I throw a change at them. This is where the 3D guy makes up ground. When applying constraints to geometry you are forced to think in the future. You need to ask questions like " how does this design need to behave?" and " what things will change and what do I want to remain the same. So, plan ahead!
Last, Dimension. by putting in as many of the constraints first, we are left with a minimum amount of dimensions. The fewer parametric dimensions we put into the drawing, the easier it will be to control. If you put a lot of dimensions into a drawing when you need to make a change you'll be making unnecessary changes. As the designs change the relationships between the entities will be easier to control.
One thing to keep in mind when adding dimensions is to create relationshops between dimensions. For example, let's say I have a rectangle that I always want the heights to be half of the width. First put in the dimension for the width, d0=x, then the dimension for the heights will be d1=d0/2. No matter what d0 is, d1 will always be half. In many cases I don't even have to punch in a value I can let the parametric dimension do that for me.
I'm really looking forward to putting into practice constraints in my AutoCAD drawings. I'm certain that I'll be able to get much use out of it.
It has taken Autodesk many years but AutoCAD and all it's many flavors now have the ability to apply geometric constraints to elements! This is very exciting for someone who didn't know what he was missing, until he found it in another application. Since the release of AutoCAD 2010 I have spent some time playing with this "new" feature.
Our company has hired some new young engineers that can solid model pretty good. Most engineering programs require solid modeling on some 3D application. When we bring them on board I can usually get them working well in Inventor. Teaching them AutoCAD is an entirely different workflow, and mindset. Constraints in AutoCAD will help with this an aweful lot.
Workflow:
The workflow I follow in AutoCAD is the same I teach all who cross my path in learning 3D. SKETCH -> CONSTRAIN -> DIMENSION. This will create a robust drawing that will behave in predictable ways.
First, Sketch. Draw what you need, don't focus on the actual size. (Did I just tell an AutoCAD person NOT to care about size?) YES! When working with parametrics we don't concern ourselves with the actual size, just the configuration / basic outline. This is the rough sketch phase, just get your design on paper.
Second, Constrain. Geometric constraints create relationships between entities. I'm not going to go into detail in this blog on the function of each of the geometric constraints, just discuss their use. When people work in 2D they are focused on the here and now, working on the finished product at the time of creation. 2D guys can be very fast. I tell people that if you put a 2D guy up against a 3D guy creating the same drawing the 2D guy will be done first. Then just when they are about done I throw a change at them. This is where the 3D guy makes up ground. When applying constraints to geometry you are forced to think in the future. You need to ask questions like " how does this design need to behave?" and " what things will change and what do I want to remain the same. So, plan ahead!
Last, Dimension. by putting in as many of the constraints first, we are left with a minimum amount of dimensions. The fewer parametric dimensions we put into the drawing, the easier it will be to control. If you put a lot of dimensions into a drawing when you need to make a change you'll be making unnecessary changes. As the designs change the relationships between the entities will be easier to control.
One thing to keep in mind when adding dimensions is to create relationshops between dimensions. For example, let's say I have a rectangle that I always want the heights to be half of the width. First put in the dimension for the width, d0=x, then the dimension for the heights will be d1=d0/2. No matter what d0 is, d1 will always be half. In many cases I don't even have to punch in a value I can let the parametric dimension do that for me.
I'm really looking forward to putting into practice constraints in my AutoCAD drawings. I'm certain that I'll be able to get much use out of it.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Network Deployment H-E-double-Hockey-Sticks!
I have been trying for over a week now to get a Network deployment built for my Inventor Professional 2010. I go through the countless screens to configure the deployment like I want it, however when I hit the 'GO' button everything seems to work smooth. The first disk swap comes up (there are six DVD's in the pack!) and the deployment keeps on going. The second disk change comes up and that's when the trouble begins. for some reason it won't continue! I've made 2 attempts using what should be the default method and I've experienced failure on both occasions.
I then decided that maybe there was something amiss in the creation, like it can't read the disk or something stupid like that. (I don't know why because when I installed it to my laptop in a standalone setting everything went smooth. NOTE: I was using the EXACT same disks that I'm using now.) I've taken the time to copy all the contents of all SIX DVD's to the network thinking that once done I won't have to swap disks and I can just let the deployment build on it's own. That worked worse! I'm getting some stupid error like it can't copy something out of the EULA folder.
Now I'm attempting to copy the stuff I already copied to the local C: drive. It's only 15+ GB of data, so that should only take an hour or so to complete. (since computer time is counted in Microsoft minutes, which don't translate into actual minutes.) I'm pretty much done with this project for the day.
I did finally get my Vault Manufacturing (formly known as Productstream) I'm having an identy crisis!
I then decided that maybe there was something amiss in the creation, like it can't read the disk or something stupid like that. (I don't know why because when I installed it to my laptop in a standalone setting everything went smooth. NOTE: I was using the EXACT same disks that I'm using now.) I've taken the time to copy all the contents of all SIX DVD's to the network thinking that once done I won't have to swap disks and I can just let the deployment build on it's own. That worked worse! I'm getting some stupid error like it can't copy something out of the EULA folder.
Now I'm attempting to copy the stuff I already copied to the local C: drive. It's only 15+ GB of data, so that should only take an hour or so to complete. (since computer time is counted in Microsoft minutes, which don't translate into actual minutes.) I'm pretty much done with this project for the day.
I did finally get my Vault Manufacturing (formly known as Productstream) I'm having an identy crisis!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
2010 Activation
I got my Inventor Professional Activated tonight. Many people complain about the Ribbon interface of MS Office 2007, but I've really learned to love the Ribbon. I'm looking forward to going through the "What's New" stuff in both AutoCAD and Inventor. Now if my Vault Manufacturing (formly known as Productstream) would just show up I could really get going with my 2010 implementation plan!
What I found interesting is the fact that Autodesk is back to having a product key, similar to the old CD Key in R14 days.
I did find that the activation is as painless as ever.
What I found interesting is the fact that Autodesk is back to having a product key, similar to the old CD Key in R14 days.
I did find that the activation is as painless as ever.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
2010 The "Money" Release
I've been looking at all the new 2010 releases of Autodesk's products I use at work. I'm very excited about this release. There are many features that will save my company money in productivity. That's why I'm calling the 2010 products the "money" release. I've got a lot of elements that I need to put in place before I can roll out the 2010 to my engineering staff, but it's a high priority for me. Over the next several posts I'll talk about the new features in the CAD software my company uses, and how we plan on implementing those features in our company to improve our design process, reduce costs, and get our equipment fabricated and installed quicker and more accurate.
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