SolidWorks 2009 Barcelona press event: hands on time for the press

I was a little skeptical about the concept at first. You’re going to get a bunch of CAD press and make them use the SolidWorks software. No telling what might happen, I wanted to at least be there to see just what it might be.

The concept was good, but I don’t think it went exactly where they were planning.

When I was a reseller, SolidWorks was very clear to point out that there was an immense difference  between being a sales demo jockey and being a trainer. I always found it very difficult to switch back and forth between the disciplines. The skills were completely different. This press event situation was the worst imaginable situation for an experienced trainer, because there were non-CAD users, and highly experienced users together at the same time.

Parts of the session were kind of chaotic, but it generally held together. The instructor’s display was poor, and would have benefited from lowering the resolution so that it could be seen on the sub-par digital projector. We got through Speedpaks, Photoview 360, a PDM presentation, and an analysis. I didn’t get the reaction from some of the “real” press, which I will be interested to hear, particularly the non-CAD using aspect.

So this was the final official function for the Barcelona SolidWorks 2009 press event. I will post a bit of a wrap up later when I’ve had the chance to digest it all. I will also start posting some specific details about the SolidWorks 2009 software now that sp0 has been issued.