Quick Tips: How do you measure an angle in SolidWorks?

The measure tool will give you the angle -
but there is a quicker way.  If you click on two planar surfaces,
the status bar at the bottom of your screen should provide an angle.  This
also works
with two linear lines or edges.

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Quick CATIA Tips: Avoid zoom on the specification tree

One annoying aspect of using CATIA is when you attempt
to click one of the little plus signs in your specification tree but you
miss and accidentally click a branch instead. Your models goes a shade
darker and when you try and zoom in on your model it instead makes the
tree get enormous or extremely tiny. To turn this option off simply go
to Tools>Options>General>Display>Tree Manipulation.

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What is hot stamping manufacturing?

Hot stamping (also called press hardening or hot forming)
is a process of forming metal parts from sheet metal stock that involves
heating a portion of the sheet metal material to a high temperature for
a period of time and then forming the heated material using a die.
Ovens are often used to heat the pieces to the high temperatures
needed. In a manufacturing facility, pieces may be

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Quick CATIA Tips: How to export the specification tree

I've personally never had to use this before but I can
think of many applications where it would be extremely useful, especially
in case where your customer or client may not have access or licenses for
CATIA. To Export the Specification Tree go to Save As and select text file.
You will get a text file that contains only your specification tree.

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Let's Go Design Episode #4 published

Weldment and Metal Fabrication
 With
every episode, we are getting closer to the final prototype of our Hot
Rod Baby Buggy. Last time, we talked about propulsion technology. In
this episode, Jeremy starts designing the chassis using weldment
features and sketch techniques. He also visits a metal fabrication shop
to learn about some of the methods that'll further help in building our

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Quick CATIA Tips: Increase the number of Undos

Did you know that you can control the number of times
CATIA will let you hit the undo button? This is a good tip if you are dealing
with a large or complicated part model. The default number of undo levels
is ten. In some cases it can be very useful to have a few more, but do
remember that this will hog system memory so show restraint when altering
this setting. Here's where the option is

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CATIA Quick Tips: How to create an axis system within a geometrical set

Another common CATIA question is how can you make a new
axis system under a geometrical set and not the default axis system node?
Well, to create an axis system in a geometrical set, when you create a
new axis, in the dialog box, simply unclick the check box next to the "under
the axis system node" option. This will place your new axis under
which ever object you have defined as the current in

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