SW2005 Splines, warnings or over constraints?

Anyone notice when applying constraints (in particular, tangency but it
happens with other constraints as well) to splines in SW2005 they
sometimes become over constrained (red) or you get warnings (yellow)?

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yes.

usually when applying a c2 condition, SW applies an EqualCurvature
constraint along with a Tangent constraint. Usually removing one of
them fixes it. c2 condition in 2005 splines is not very reliable.
theoretically a nice enhancement, but in reality you can't count on it
working when you need it to.

matt

 

Yep, I've seen the c2 constraint do this also.
I've sent a example of the spline tangency errors to my var and I wanted
to share it with all here but my server is down,.. I'll post it later.

Yeah, I personally would not expect much out of the new c2 option since
it's new.
Although, the constraint solver has most likely changed to accommodate
the new c2 option and other new constraint options so that is probably
why we are seeing these warnings and over constraint issues?

Hopefully these will be fixed soon?

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Well, guess what, my var, said he had no problems (he worked around them
thinking that was the solution to the problem?) with the file(s) I sent
(actually, two files)!?!?!?!?!

It's stuff like this that make the whole process of using var's, TOTALLY
FUCKING USELESS!!!!!

I can not post the file(s) because my server is still down but I'm just
going to post the file directly to SW Corp, as it should be!

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I'll send the file

 

The times when I've had the problem, the only way to get around it was
to not use c2, which means the new functionality is not being used.
It's a bug with no workaround, regardless of what the tech support guy
at your var says.

Not all resellers are useless.

 

In the case I sent, it did not have c2, only tangency so if he moved the
spline or endpoint, it's possible to break the warning or over
constrained condition.. so...that's what he did.
What bothers me is, these tech guys think it's about offering a solution
or temporary fix,.. or to be a hero for a few seconds... the real issue
is being curbed by their ego process and I can fix that mentality,
imho,.. "I can fix it by using this workaround.. so, now the client (me)
will be able to move forward and I'm a hero for fixing this problem for
now and everyone here at VAR central will think I'm the kewlest guru in
the office!?!?"

In this case, I honestly see it as "MY FAULT", I fucked up! I should
have NEVER sent it to them because, in my experience, this is typical of
the process. Yeah, yeah, there are some tech's which are good,.. I
still don't see the real benefits of having them in my experience. They
and the process waste more time from my perspective and experience. I
still see them as catering to the lower end users (i.e., the target
market, cha-ching,.. $$$$ = the old AutoDesk way of doing things =
limiting, stifling and not progressive!)

Anyhow, I did a clean Rx and sent the file/report off to SW Corp
directly.

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Here are the files...

http://www.zxys.com/misc/SW2005_spline_over_constrain_problems.zip
http://www.zxys.com/misc/SW2005_spline_over_constrain_zxys.zip

...and two other indirect problems with using the fill feature..
http://www.zxys.com/misc/SW2005_fill_curve_consumption.zip
http://www.zxys.com/misc/SW2005_fill_curve_consumption2.zip

(ah, yes, your annual subscription at work,.. add something new and
break what worked, fix it in a few sp's or next release,.. then pay for
annual subscription... then break-it again, and again, and again....
remind me again.. why do we pay for subscription?... to pay people to
add new features and break things and fix them again?? hmm,.. is that
in the subscription agreement? What a great business plan or model!!!?)

...

 

What bothers me is, these tech guys think it's about offering a

Depending on the size of the VAR, there can be a sort of corporate
mass
production approach to support that's drilled into the techs. The
goal
is to have a high number in an excel spreadsheet somewhere. There are
a
lot of rah-rah speeches, but not much creativity, real-world design or
work experience to back it up. The absolute raw recruits get thrown
into tech support where guys like you pulverize them. I always
thought
you should put your best people on tech support because they have
constant contact with customers, and they're way more efficient than
someone who has to search the help for the word "curvature" or panics
if
they see a surface feature.

You're absolutely right that resellers are geared toward the low end
users too. First of all, very few resellers have anyone who is even
moderately well versed in any sort of advanced design. Second, low
end
users need more training. Third, low end users are easier to support.

I've worked for 3 VARs, and it's always the new guy who is least
likely
to know what he's talking about who gets saddled with support.
Always.
The problem is that resellers are usually run by sales people who
don't
understand or value technical expertise. They're usually
short-sighted
and tech-phobic. It's amazing that people who sell technology don't
believe in technology enough to use it in their own businesses.
Absolute truth.

I also agree with what you said about the desire to be seen as a hero.
Regardless of how mediocre they are, they always have a way of
measuring
something that makes them look like gods. I've watched in utter
disbelief as a tech support group that wasn't even answering the phone
half of the time send out company wide emails to pat themselves on the
back for what should be considered sub-par work. Your comments are
very
cynical, but I must admit they are also mostly true.

The support at SolidWorks Corporate is different. I don't know where
they get their people, or how they train them, but rarely do I get
truly
incompetent answers from SW techs. I sometimes don't like their
answers, and sometimes it takes them a month to answer my emails, but
they're rarely really wrong.

The difference is obviously financial. Reseller pay and benefits are
truly abyssmal, and they can't attract or keep good talent.
SolidWorks
Corp pays well with liberal benefits. If all you have to offer is
sh_t,
all you're going to attract are flies. There's probably a 50%
differential between a reseller seat-warmer, phone-talker, bs-emailer
and a competent SW support guy. Resellers don't think talent is worth
the price you pay for it. Which is why they have precious little.

The sheer volume of support couldn't be handled by SW Corp. They have
mediocre reseller minions to weed out the "is it plugged in"
questions.
For advanced users like you, there is no benefit to the mediocre
middle
man minion, but advanced users are rare, and don't spend as much money
on training, and are more difficult to support, so resellers don't
really value advanced users very much.


Q

 

I hear ya, you're spot on with what you wrote.

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