Commenting on the commenters commenting on SW 2011 new features

Commenters to my post on new features in SolidWorks 2011 asked these questions:

Q: Did they port their Delmia maniquins to SolidWorks 2011?

A: I don't know. But since SW execs keep repeating that the two R&D teams work together now, it could well be. The walkthrough interface was described as "very simple and intuitive."

Q: I saw no direct modeling?

A: Yes, none was shown. However, SW World often only previews teasers. More details will probably be released later in the summer.

Q: What about interoperability with Catia?

A: It is coming, but was described in the press conference as "blurring the line."

When a reporter asked at the press conference specifically about the future of ParaSolids, Jeff Ray did not answer the question.

Comments

[Norm C.]

"When a reporter asked at the press conference specifically about the future of ParaSolids, Jeff Ray did not answer the question."

Which in itself speaks volume about it, no?

[Jon Banquer]

"Which in itself speaks volume about it, no?"

Jeff Ray, who seems to me to be a very nice guy, want's to make the case that users don't care what modeling kernel is used they just want to get the job done.

In this case Jeff Ray is both correct and wrong at the same time. Probably the best way to easily morph SolidWorks into a CAD system that can do direct modeling is to use the CATIA kernel. Without direct modeling SolidWorks is in deep "s" no matter what SolidWorks management has said in the past about direct modeling. One way or another this is Jeff Ray's time to shine and he's under a lot of pressure to do so. From what I've seen so far he's more than capable and may go down in history as the best CEO SolidWorks has ever had.