SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [182]
FIGURE 12.26
Using SolidWorks RX
Using the Diagnostics tab
The first tab in the SolidWorks RX interface is a self-help diagnostics list, shown in Figure 12.27. This points out that my computer is a less common brand (Xi), that it is compatible with my video card, and that the driver is out of date (it gives me the option to download the correct driver); it also lists other information related to system maintenance.
FIGURE 12.27
Using the SolidWorks RX Diagnostics tab
The items in the Diagnostics tab are things that a support tech might ask you about if you were to call with a crash problem or some other problem that might be related to general system issues. Running SolidWorks RX before calling tech support could save you time and make you more self-reliant.
Using the Troubleshoot tab
The Troubleshoot tab contains mostly links to the SolidWorks Knowledge Base, for which you will need a subscription login. These links are useful, and it is a good idea to check them out before calling tech support.
Using the System Maintenance tab
The System Maintenance tab contains paths to critical SolidWorks and system folders. If you click the Start Maintenance button in the upper-right corner, SolidWorks RX clears all the files from the listed paths. If you use the Browse buttons, you can clear paths individually. These are generally temporary and backup folders, so make sure you do not need any of the files before clearing them. Figure 12.28 shows the System Maintenance tab.
Using the Problem Capture tab
Often when you call your reseller tech support, and you are having some sort of difficulty that is not readily explained, the technician will ask you to submit a SolidWorks RX log file. This log file includes the information from the other tabs, along with an optional description of the problem, SolidWorks files that were in use when the problem occurred, and a video of the problem actually happening. Figure 12.29 shows the Problem Capture tab.
FIGURE 12.28
Clearing temp files with the System Maintenance tab
FIGURE 12.29
Collecting information in the Problem Capture tab
Using the Files & Logs tab
The Files & Logs tab shows a summary of the issue and a list of all of the files included in the RX package. You can click on the files that have been added to view their contents before sending the package. The Files & Logs tab is shown in Figure 12.30.
FIGURE 12.30
Listing the files to be sent in the RX package
Using Performance Benchmark
SolidWorks RX has an Add-in tab that allows add-ins to be developed to extend the RX functionality. New for SolidWorks 2011 is the Performance Benchmark add-in. This benchmark runs your installation of SolidWorks through some automated display and rebuild exercises and measures the time for various operations such as zoom, rotate, rebuild, for a part and an assembly. Figure 12.31 shows the interface for the Performance Benchmark test.
This benchmark is similar to an older benchmark application called SPECapc, which was available several years ago and could be used across several different CAD systems. SPECapc still exists (and is available from the Web site www.spec.org), but the SolidWorks benchmark was last updated in 2007. The point of benchmarks like this is to measure hardware capabilities.
Other less formal benchmarks exist, such as Mike Wilson's Ship-in-a-Bottle (www.mikejwilson.com), which is just a surface model with a rebuild macro, where you use Feature Statistics to measure the results. Anna Wood (www.solidmuse.com) also has an informal benchmark with a model of Scooby Doo and a punch plate. None of the informal benchmark models are particularly good at measuring all aspects of the software. There are no assemblies among them, and a couple of them are heavy in surfacing, which makes better use of multi-threading than solid models.
The models for the SolidWorks RX Performance Benchmark are a small, stamped