So its here...SW08 anounced today

shock horror 08 is out now ( a topic on its own) and from the little
Ive seen so far the new GUI is complete PUKE.
please someone tell me this isn't for real
just what the hell goes on at HQ to generate this stuff?
I cant believe they turned a half decent interface (although I read
tooltips or memorise position since 04 rather than try to decypher the
'nice' icons) into a Microsoft Office wannabe..aaaarrrrrgh!!! GOD HELP
US

If it really is like that then thats truly the end of my SW upgrade
days

 

http://www.upfrontezine.com/current.htm

"SolidWorks 2008 has a new face, a new user interface with some unique
and some borrowed elements. Most interesting is the tabbed
CommandManager that shows icons, command names, both, singly, or
stacked. Customizable by the user, of course. See

http://www.upfrontezine.com/Figs/sw08.jpg

"Don't like ch-ch-changes? You can always switch back to the UI of
SolidWorks 2007."

The new UI look a lot better to me. In fact the tabbed UI reminds me
of what VX did a few years back.

"One way to deal with the limitations of the history tree is to
eliminate it, a la CoCreate and Kubotek. Another way is to work around
it, invisibly to the user, a la SolidWorks 2008."

Hmmmmm...

Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA

 

I absolutely HATE the command manager - like shaking hands with a wet
fish!

Really I'm looking for that but I think the dockable icon toolbars are
gone...

The whats new pdf is not very inspiring at first glance...toss the
floor reflections for a start.
God I'm getting wound up and I don't even own it...

I don't mind change if its useful but...< deep breaths >

 

AND..why the hell are they announcing SW08 is released when its just
in BETA 3 !!! in NDA for goodness sake!

this is even earlier than the last one AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH !!...

I'm going to hurt myself shortly...

 

Well, you have jb's attention <G>.

 

wrote in @g37g2000prf.googlegroups.com:

They're announcing it, but it's not released.

As for the UI, there are definitely two camps, and there seems to be a
sharp divide between them. I'm in the camp that likes the new UI. I find
I move through things more quickly, and I do have better use of screen
space. However, I have never liked the task manager, and I still don't
use it. Those who love the task manager are in the other camp.

The other camp is also composed of those who don't like the new location
of the view controls. As Matt points out, this can't be customized, and
some people find the location intrusive. YMMV.

The change to the menu bar is also divisive. Some like it, some don't.

The learning curve is a bit steeper because of the increased use of
icons, as Matt mentioned in his blog. Once you have it, the interface is
more concise; this is where I feel I can move through it more quickly.

As for non-UI changes, there is a lot to be excited about. We'll see how
the quality is on realease, but on features alone, implementation of 08
would be a no-brainer for me.

 

Great points Dale

I did a review last night on the UI changes for by Blog (http://
www.rickyjordan.net/2007/06/solidworks_2008_1.html)

Overall, I have been happy with the changes to the UI. It takes a
little bit of time to get used to the icon only approach of the
Context Toolbar, but I've found myself looking for them now in
SW2007. I wouldn't call the new UI perfect by any means. As Matt has
pointed out, there are some things that need to have more
customization options.

I knew this was going to be a hot topic and everyone will have their
opinions and feelings towards it. Only time will tell how the user
base accepts the changes. Everyone is talking about the UI first
because it is quite different, but like you said, there are MANY other
enhancements in this release that I think are great additions to the
software. I'm looking forward to getting into those features soon
with some more Blog reviews.

Best Regards,

Ricky Jordan
http://www.rickyjordan.net

 

I know one big reason to upgrade for me....

Virtual Components! ok, there's one anyways.

As far as the new UI goes I was a bit skeptical at first but after
using it a while I like it. I think how it's going to go is if
your someone who absolutely has a hard time with change.... your going
to hate it. But it really is a change to save time
and mouse travel once you've used it for a while. It won't be faster
at first becuase it's different and you have to become
acclimated.

The one big thing to keep in mind is that you can make your own custom
tabs and put the tools you use all time there
just in case you have a hard time with the new UI.

 

There are lots of great additions in the assemblies area in particular.

I don't have a hard time with change, as long as its change for the
better, and there seems to be some purpose to the change. The pop-up
context toolbars save time and mouse travel, but the rest is hype, and
trying to make something true just by saying it.

In general, the new interface is far less flexible than 2007, which is
not a change in the right direction.

Read my blog to get this side of the story: http://dezignstuff.com/blog/

 

You can see the UG/ACAD/SE influence.

Why? Why? I ask for no change to the interface and they change it. I
ask that the feature manager be improved and a third party comes up
with an addin.

I just want to design, not play musical icons with SW. The old Pro/E
menu system is starting to look good again.

TOP

 

Ricky I'm not even sure you write the stuff that appears on your blog.
Matt may lapse into the occassional stand up routine as a pufferfish
but at least he has integrity.

 

They're announcing it, but it's not released.

My bet is that if its announced its being committed for production as
we speak and you will have it way before Aug/Sept

 

I have SW spread across dual monitors.
How will this help me?? Wont I just have a big band of waste space
across the top and endless journeys to the top left corner?

Can I run the new Realview stuff without spending NZ$3-5000 on a new
graphics card?
Sure this stuff is coming, in fact I suggested this stuff as an avenue
for improvement, but its a couple of years ahead of the price point.

 

wrote in @j4g2000prf.googlegroups.com:

My guess is late July, maybe early August for Sp0.0 download. But that's
just a guess. I don't know the schedule, and they're always willing to
delay for a showstopper bug in the pre-release.

 

I just picked up 2004 the other day for a small project. Can't run
2007 on the hardware, but 2004 works fast and almost perfectly. It
wasn't hard to forget 2007 and 2006. 2004 certainly didn't slow me
down. Keep those old CDs. Get Sun's Open Office.

Time to Design,
No time to relearn.

TOP

 

Neil,

On what basis do you question whether or not I write the stuff on my
blog. I have written EVERY SINGLE article ever published to it and it
will continue to be done that way.

As far as questioning my "integrity", I'm not quite sure where you are
coming from on that either. I realize you have had some frustrations
lately when it comes to SolidWorks but comments like this are baseless
and uncalled for.

Best Regards,

Ricky Jordan
http://www.rickyjordan.net

 

ok, if you say so, I'd pretty much developed the opinion your material
was fed to you....
I note though SW gave the 'blog squad' an early look at SW08.
Indeed most of the first look info available is available through you
guys - including the link to the 'whats new'.
Why is that? There is still an earnest Beta going on (apparently) and
in NDA - and yet I can find the pdf freely available on a blog even
before the SW website has pics up?
I would like to think that doesn't mean the conspicuous 'one of us'
good guys out there are being usefully 'farmed' by marketing if you
follow my drift.

yours, somewhat sceptically etc
neil

 

LOL! If my material is fed to me that is news to me! Especially when
I take 3 hours of my own time last night to write a review.

I don't know what's up with the PDF file that you refer to but if you
look, it is actually hosted on the SolidWorks website. (check the URL)

The information is public as of yesterday. The subjects that I have
discussed thus far are limited to items outlined in the press release
(user interface). I am fully aware of the NDA and I make sure to post
items only after they are announced publically.

If you think something is up with any of the content posted on my
blog, e-mail me and I will answer any question you have. What didn't
set well with me is that you posted something like that here that has
absolutely no fact to it. There is absolutely nothing tying me to
even having a blog. I only do it because I enjoy it and writing
reviews actually helps me dig out some pretty cool feature details. I
write what I want to when I want to. I work very hard to put good
content on the site and everything I post is meant to help other
users.

Best Regards,

Ricky Jordan
http://www.rickyjordan.net

 

What didn't set well with me is that you posted something like that here that has

actually I said
Ricky I'm not even sure you write the stuff that appears on your blog
and
I'd pretty much developed the opinion your material was fed to
you....

and this is true. I have thought that for some time and not bothered
with your blog because of it.
Thats my choice . No loss to me or you. People have read your blog
just the same oblivious of my opinion and will continue to visit in
the future.
You have made it clear my personal doubts are incorrect.
I apologise if you think you have been unjustly maligned in the
community by my passing comment in this thread

 

I just wanted to set the record straight. When you put many hours a
week into something and that effort is called into question, I'm sure
you can understand why I would react the way I did.

I still remember that you were one of the first to leave comments at
my blog and I appreciate that. Feel free to post comments there any
time you like.

Best Regards,

Ricky Jordan
http://www.rickyjordan.net