SolidWorks 2010 Beta Testing Tips by Brian Zias
It's that time of year again when we at Alignex start to get excited: SolidWorks 2010 Beta is just around the corner. Every year we look forward to the hundreds of new pieces of functionality that SolidWorks has developed from customer suggestions as well as from their Reseller community. We have built a page on our website at Alignex with a preview of what should be included in
SolidWorks 2010. Much of this information came from SolidWorks World in February, but some of it has been updated since then. Keep that page bookmarked as we'll keep updating it as often as we are able to.
Prior to the official release of SolidWorks 2010 later this fall, SolidWorks offers a beta program which is open to all current subscription customers. This program typically lasts several weeks, and allows users a sneak peak at the latest version and the ability to weigh in on how well the enhanced features work.
Besides getting to see all the new functionality before anyone else, there are other great benefits to participation. SolidWorks allows Beta Testers to submit bug reports directly to them, and for a reward they offer a points program. Top point-earners are rewarded with prizes and recognition in the SolidWorks community. These prizes are not just SolidWorks mugs and posters, but typically high-end electronics and other similar toys.
One warning I always throw out about Beta is that it should not be mixed with a production environment. Just like all new releases, once files are saved in SolidWorks 2010, they can no longer be re-opened by an older version of the program. Always keep the Beta installed separately and work on copies of Parts and Assembly files. Beta releases contain software issues, which is why SolidWorks entices users to get involved and report them. If a user finds a bug or possible issue, he or she uses the SolidWorks RX tool to capture and describe the circumstances and issue and then post it to the Beta program via the customer portal. The more severe the issue, the more points the user gets! Everything is relevant, from a button that doesn't look right to a command that crashes on every click.
When I get the beta, the first thing I look at is the ‘What's New' PDF document. This is under the Help menu inside SolidWorks. Find the new things you want to try. Go through your largest assemblies and most complex parts and gauge performance changes. Ultimately, try anything that was causing pain in previous release versions.
We've heard beta will be out in the next week or two, but right now SolidWorks is allowing customers to register. Once the beta download is available, everyone who has signed up will receive email notification with download instructions. To get involved simply sign up through the Customer Portal. Click here for more information on the Beta Testing Program. And again, learn more about SolidWorks 2010 on the Alignex website, here.
Here's to successful SolidWorks 2010 testing!