I’m Presenting at Solid Edge University 2013

I was at SEU last year, and learned a lot about the Solid Edge community, the software, and the company behind it. This year I get to be a part of it in a different way. I’m presenting a session on combining ordered modeling with Synchronous Technology. This will be my first time presenting anything having to do with Solid Edge. I’ve presented many times at other international CAD conferences, and dozens of times at local CAD user groups, but bringing all of that to a new software is still a little daunting.

My presentation style is usually a bit informal. I like to incorporate some humor, and I like a lot of visual reference. If you come, you don’t come to see me, I’m a bit frightening looking. You don’t come to see my Powerpoint skills. You are probably there to take part in a conversation about Solid Edge tools and techniques. I definitely like to include a lot of audience participation. I’m not so proud that I won’t ask the audience for answers if I don’t know. I feel my role is really just to start the conversation, and then anyone with great input is welcome to chime in. I want the time to be well spent, even if that means going off-script a bit. Anything I have to say is probably secondary to relevant questions people in the audience might have.

If you still haven’t signed up for SEU13, I encourage you to do so. Not to see me, but to see a bunch of other users and Solid Edge employees talk about their passion for the software. The line up is very strong, and it’s a great mix of corporate and civilian talent. Here are some sessions I’d definitely recommend. I don’t know everyone on the list, but these are the ones I’m most impressed with.

Roundtable sessions. These are run by Jeff Walker, Product Planning Manager. Jeff’s the guy that takes the vision from Dan Staples and fleshes out the details of how its going to be accomplished. I’ve spent some time with Jeff and his team, and these guys understand the nuances that make the software what it is. Roundtable sessions allow users to complain right out loud and face to face with the people who make everything happen.

Art Patrick. Art is a great guy. He’s funny and full of information. He’s also realistic about the software. His specialty is assemblies, but you’ll find that there isn’t much Art doesn’t know. Anything Art presents is to me a must-see topic.

Dan Vinson. If you’re into visual stuff, surfacing, or industrial design, Dan is a guy you need to meet. He’s got a unique flair that makes every conversation an experience. Also models a lot of cool stuff in Solid Edge just for his own entertainment. Get him to show you his model collection on his phone.

Gan Kunda works with Jeff Walker, and is definitely someone to get to know. If you have questions about minute details about how things work, Gan seems to have a great handle on that sort of thing.

Doug Stainbrook is the Field Support team leader, and is one of the most helpful people I’ve run into at Solid Edge. He’s leading a hands on session for Synchronous. My experience at CAD conferences is that hands-on sessions fill up as soon as there is a sign up list. So don’t be late to this one. I’m predicting standing room only, probably 3 times over.

Anyway, I look forward to meeting a bunch of you this year in Cincinnati. Last year was great, and this year will be even more so. Bring your curiosity.