What are the system requirements for SolidMap 2010?

If you can run SolidWorks 2009 or 2010, you can run SolidMap 2010, which runs under Windows XP SP3 (32-bit and 64-bit) and Windows Vista SP 1 (32-bit and 64-bit).

 

You'll also need Microsoft’s .NET Framework v3.5 or higher, and will be prompted on this during software installation.

 

What if I'm running SolidMap 2009??

If you are running SolidMap 2009, you should uninstall that software before installing SolidMap 2010.

 

Does SolidMap 2010 work with SolidWorks 2009?

Yes.

 

How do I get a software license?

1. From the Evaluation Dialog that appears when you start the software, choose the radio button next to: “I would like to generate Registration Key and get a license”. Then click the “Next” button.
2. From the Create Registration Key dialog, click on the “Create Registration Key” button.
3. You will then be prompted to choose a folder in which to store the Registration Key.
4. You will receive a confirmation that the Registration Key was successfully created and the path & file name it was stored to.

5. Email the Registration Key as an attachement to license@solidmap.com, using either the link in the dialog box, or your email program.

6. You will receive a License Key (a license.txt file) that you should install in the same directory as SolidMap 2010.

 

In what languages is SolidMap available?

SolidMap 2010 is currently only available in English. SolidMap 2010 has only been tested with, and is supported, on the English version of SolidWorks 2010.

 

While SolidMap 2010 may work with non-English versions of SolidWorks 2010, it has only been tested with, and is supported on the English version of SolidWorks 2010.

 

Please let us know if you are interested in having SolidMap available in your preferred language.

 

What does SolidMap show when I am investigating an assembly file?

SolidMap shows two different types of relationships when using it in the context of an assembly file. First, SolidMap shows assembly references (“Find references” function in SolidWorks) as well as other files that are referencing the file you are investigating (“Where used” function in SolidWorks).

 

Second, SolidMap shows the mate relationships between parts and subassemblies within the assembly file. The mate names as well as the entities (face, edge, vertex, etc.) that are mated are displayed in SolidMap.

 

What does SolidMap show when I am investigating a part file?

SolidMap shows three different types of relationships when using it in the context of a part file. First, SolidMap shows relationships that exist between the part file that you are investigating and other files that either reference it, or the files that it is referencing. For example, the file that you are investigating may be referenced by an assembly, or it may be referencing another part file through “in-context relationships”. SolidMap will show these references.

 

Secondly, SolidMap shows the parent/child relationships between features and sketches. SolidWorks shows these parent/child relationships in the form of a “tree” and SolidMap shows these relationships in the form of graphical “DesignMap”.

 

Finally, SolidMap shows the relationships that exist between features and sketches at a deeper level than just parent/child relationships. The information displayed in this mode comes from the existing sketch relations as well as associative parameters in the model.

 

For example, If a sketch from one feature has a relationship to another feature, SolidMap shows that relationship as well as what the relationship is. So, if a sketch from one feature has a collinear relationship with an edge from another feature, SolidMap will show both features being connected by a collinear sketch relation.

 

The graph can get pretty big. How do I handle it?

SolidMap includes several tools to enable the user to manipulate the graph to make it easy to understand. Of course, there are all of the standard view manipulation tools that you would expect any graphical application to have like, zoom in/out; pan; scroll; and fit.

 

In addition, there are some unique tools within SolidMap that enables the user to do the following actions:

 

1. Change the orientation of the graph to be drawn from the top, left, right, or bottom.

 

2. Change the “root” of the graph. By default, the entity under investigation (file, feature, sketch, etc.) is positioned as the root of the graph.

 

However, if the user chooses to investigate another entity, then the other entity can be designated as the new root, and the graph will be updated accordingly.

 

3. Change the number of levels deep that the graph displays. In other words, if you are investigating feature A, and featur A is affected by feature B which is affected by feature C which is affected by feature D, then the graph will show feature A connected to feature B, connected to feature C, connected to feature D.

 

However, you can choose to only show 2 levels which would result in only seeing feature A connected to feature B on the graph.

 

4. Change the view to show only parents of a feature, only children of a feature, or both parents and children of a feature.

 

The SolidMap window disappeared. How do I get it back?

Use the SolidMap -> Reset Window Origin menu command to bring the window back into your viewable space on your monitor.