Jeff's Blog

Dell M4300

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while, you'll know how much I've enjoyed the Dell M90's I've used in the past. Both of them were provided by my employer at the time and I really didn't have many issues with them. My new employer, being a complete tightwad, opted for the M4300. (Ok, so I'm self-employed. I'm still being a tightwad.) The system specs are:

• Dell Precision M4300, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300, 2.40GHz 800MHz, 3M L2 Cache, Dual Core
• 15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCDDell
• 4.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM
• NVIDIA QUADRO FX 360M 512MB Turbo Cache Memory (256 dedicated)
• WINDOWS XP PRO SP2 with Windows Vista Business License

It came with a free 19" monitor, which I upgraded to a 22". I'll be loading up SolidWorks this week, and will then be putting my new toy through its paces. Naturally, I'll let you know the good, the bad and the ugly.

Also, I've been in touch with SolidWorks Corp regarding product reviews and we're getting the ball rolling again. If there's a partner product out there that you're curious about, let me know and I'll see if I can't get my greedy hands on it to try it out.

Scanner - You Misunderstood

I've received a couple of emails from people asking me if I like NextEngine's scanner. It became apparent to me that, one, they didn't read the whole post and, two, that I didn't do a very good job of saying what I meant. So, before there is anymore confusion...Yes, I like the scanner. Very much so. The "problems" I'd been having were, for the most part, user created. As I mentioned in my previous post, I have a bad habit of *not* reading the instructions and just jumping in with both feet. It's amazing what you can learn once you do start reading the instructions...
Anyway, I'm beginning to realize some of the mistakes I made in my initial scans and things are moving along much better now. Stay tuned...

Scanning - Is it me or the scanner?

I've been messing around with the scanner that NextEngine sent me and, I have to admit, I'm getting frustrated. The demos I saw at SWW '06 & '07 made it all look so simple and yet I, a veritable genius, just can't seem to get the hang of it. Ok, ok, so the genius thing might not be accurate, but I'm not dumb either. It seems to me that it should be a little more simple.
I'm trying to scan circuit boards. Reverse engineering them is a real PITA and using the scanner for this task was a no brainer. I'd be able to kill two birds with one stone. When Nick Borchers, an AE from NextEngine, was here he showed me a scan they'd done of a circuit board and it looked pretty damn good. I've probably tried at least a dozen different scans and they all come out looking lousy. Take this one, for example:

You can see that, although it says it's aligned, it's far from it. The funny thing is, when the alignment begins, the scan looks great. Once it's done doing whatever magic it's doing, it doesn't look so good. What does this tell me? It tells me that I need to read the help files. It also tells me that I should contact Nick and get some more info. Why? Because I've seen what the NextEngine scanner can do and I'm willing to bet it's operator error here. Nick explained to me that shiny surfaces need to be prepped before scanning. To do this, you can use the supplied powder brush. However, the recommended, albeit undocumented, method is to use Athlete's foot spray (the powder kind). I've done that, but I've missed something else, of that I'm sure. The scanner is, from what I've seen and read, a good product. I need to do things right so that I can give it a fair shake. Circuit boards, with all their various geometries, aren't the easiest things to scan.
As I was writing this, I rescanned the circuit board that I show. It now looks much better. Bear in mind that it has foot spray on it, which is why it looks cloudy:

As many of my loyal readers know, I'm not big on reading instructions.  I like to just get in there and do it. Well, I'm going to turn over a new leaf. That's right, I'm going to read the instructions. I've been messing around with SolidCAM as well but, again, I need to read. Where vendors are starting to send me higher end, more advanced products, I feel it's only right that I do things properly. So, stayed tuned folks. This blog is going to grow up...well, a little anyway.

NextEngine - Devon, Ricky, Matt & Me

Ok, so now there's a run on the 3D scanner from NextEngine. I mean, seriously, my blog is supposed to be about hardware and software for SolidWorks! You other three goombahs actually are engineers and are supposed to write intelligent pieces about the wonders of SolidWorks itself! But, nooooo, you three have to jump on my coat tails! First it was Devon who's post wasn't too favorable. Then, after I posted about getting my scanner (finally), Ricky emails me to say that he, too, has just got one and plans on writing a post (more on that in a second). Then, today, what does Matt go and do after reading my post?? You got it, he posted a review. Jeez, guys, I'm the hack of the group who needs this easy stuff to write about. Stop stepping on my toes!!

Ok, kidding aside, check out Matt and Devon's posts then keep an eye out for mine and Ricky's. Ricky and I are actually going to tag-team on our reviews. Granted, we don't have a clue how we're going to do it yet given the fact that I'm in Seattle and he's in some southern state. Then there's the language barrier. I speak English and he speaks some southern dialect that, occasionally, sounds like English. Eh, no matter, we'll figure it out.

A couple of things that I have over the three of them are 1) I didn't have to pay for my scanner. I just get to use it for 30 days or so. Plenty of time to take care of what needs to be taken care of. And 2) one of NextEngine's AE's happened to be in my area today and spent a few hours going over things with me (thanks Nick!). Now I know all of the little tips and tricks to get the job done, especially where it doesn't come with a manual and the software guys at NextEngine are putting out updates every two weeks! Now, if I can just think of a way to get women to let me scan up their "feet" like Matt...

Stay tuned and have a great 4th!!

NextEngine - It's here, yee-ha!

I walked into my office...ok fine, my cubicle this morning and about killed myself on this box that was on the floor. I'd been told that my demo scanner from NextEngine was on its way but, I wasn't holding my breath. Other vendors have promised me this or that and I haven't seen squat. But, Brad from NextEngine came through and my scanner is here. Even as I type this, I'm doing my first scan of a clayman (think snowman made out of clay). It looks like it's done...guess I better figure out what I'm supposed to do next.
My impression so far? Extremely easy to set up. Takes up a small amount of space. Quiet. I'll let you know more after I figure out how to get the scan into SolidWorks and all that.

SpaceExplorer - Read the review, enter to win it!

Ok, I know you've all been anxiously waiting for this.

I really like the SpaceExplorer, 3dConnexion's mid-range offering. While not as feature laden as the SpacePilot, this unit still provides increased productivity. It has a nice ergonomic shape, feels good in your hand and performs excellently. It has the typical programmable buttons and easy-to-use controller cap. There really isn't anything negative to say about it. I actually like the shape of it more than that of my SpacePilot. If it had a couple of more buttons...

As you can see, this review is short and sweet. If you want the technical specs on the SpaceExplorer, or anything else 3dConnexion has to offer, you can get them at 3dConnexions's website.

Now, for those of you who have read to the this point, here's your opportunity to win a SpaceExplorer or a SpaceNavigator. Take this simple, 5 question survey and then print out the coupon and bring it with you to SolidWorks World. If you're not going to SWW, I'd still love to get your opinion on this blog. It's completely anonymous, so don't be afraid to be honest.

Oh, and for my fellow New Englanders...GO PATS!!

Correction - My bad

To my loyal readers:

I made a mistake. I know, I know, I had trouble believing it myself but it's true. I erroneously referred to the SpaceNavigator as a SpaceExplorer in my review of said SpaceNavigator. Please forgive my oversight. I got confused. The SpaceNavigator is what I was reviewing, the SpaceExplorer review is a couple of weeks away.

I hope everyone is having a great New Year.

SpaceNavigator - Worth the money?

Is the SpaceNavigator worth the money? I'd say so. Its compactness makes it great for travelling (I'm presently on the east coast...supposedly on vacation), yet it's tough enough to endure the trip. When you pick it up, you can feel its robustness. It has what appears to be a stainless steel base with gives it some weight so that it doesn't slide around your desk. While it only has a single programmable button, the ability to manipulate your model will help to improve your efficiency.

One thing that I've heard complaints about with any of 3Dconnexion's controllers is difficulty when trying to rotate in large assemblies. While I can't speak to really large assemblies, I know that I don't have much trouble in the assemblies I deal with. I think it's just a matter of practicing and learning how to fully use the controller. Once you've become comfortable with it, I think you'll find that moving around in large assemblies isn't that hard at all.

I would definitely say that the SpaceNavigator is worth the money. How can you go wrong with $59? Check out 3Dconnexion's website for details.

SpaceNavigator & SpaceExplorer on my desk!

First, for those of you who don't live in western Washington/Northern Oregon, the news had it all wrong, we didn't have a windstorm, it was a nor' easter. I grew up on the east coast and I know what was is. I'd even argue that it was a category 1 hurricane. Granted, it was a lowly one, but I have friends who are still without power and aren't supposed to get it back until after Christmas.

Now for the reason I'm writing. I came into work this morning and sitting on my chair was a big box from 3Dconnexion. "Yes, Christmas came early," I thought. With trembling hands I cut the tape trapping my new toy. Reaching in, I gently removed the bubblewrap and there, lying on the bottom of the box was not one, but two smaller boxes. Rick Lando, of 3Dconnexion, sent me a SpaceNavigator and a SpaceExplorer to try out! (Thanks, Rick!) Now I'm in a super quandry...which one do I try out first and, given the fact that I'm going on vacation next week, do I take one with me? This is going to require some thinking, something I'm not too good at.

First impressions? Beefy, ergonomic, well put together. The motion caps on the Navigator and Explorer have the same feel as the one on my SpacePilot. I'm excited to see how they perform...once Ifigure out which one to try first...

3dConnexion - New Stuff Teaser

Rick Lando is teasing me, so I figured I'd pass it on. He sent me an email verifying my shipping address. I can only assume it's because he's shipping me something. What they're shipping I don't know, and that just doesn't seem right. Don't get me wrong, I'll graciously accept whatever they send me. Being the typical guy that I am, I love new gadgets...especially when I get to play with them! (Side note to Mr. Doyle - In case I haven't said it before, thank you!)

For those of you that don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about here, 3Dconnexion has released two new products, the SpaceNavigator:

and the SpaceExplorer:

They have also...oh, just go here and read the press release. I'm too tired to type it all out. And if you don't know what a 3D Motion Controller is, you can find that out here.

Ok, I'm done for now. I'm suffering from sleep deprivation and could easily end up rambling on for pages...