Welcome to the 2nd episode of our Meet the SOLIDWORKS Super Users Series
We continue to feature Q&A with some of the incredible people that have been using SOLIDWORKS for years...and for some: decades!
Get to know them as they share their experiences, what they find to be valuable to their ongoing success, valuable pieces of knowledge and advice and how they are even engaging within our SOLIDWORKS communities here on 3DSwym.
The second Super User we are unmasking today is @JM .
I caught up with John at this year's 3DEXPERIENCE World 2023 that was held in Nashville, Tennessee.
John kindly took time out of his demanding events schedule to sit down and answer a few questions and share his advice like:
- his favorite SOLIDWORKS feature
- why he connect with peers to learn from
- testing advice
- the value of developing relations with one's VAR
- ...and more!
Without further ado, I present to you in Audio and Transcript:
Member Spotlight
| Name | Company | Title |
|---|---|---|
| @JM | Smith & Wesson | Drafting Supervisor |
| Audio Play Back | |
|---|---|
Questions for John:
Part I
Matthew Hall 0:00
I'm here at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2023 with John Matrishon, one of our most awesome SOLIDWORKS Champions.
So John, thanks for joining us take a few minutes out of your time to answer some questions we have and the community know we'd love to hear from you. And so I'll just jump into things here. And I'm kind of wondering, so John, how many years have you been using SOLIDWORKS?
John Matrishion 0:20
I've been using SOLIDWORKS a few years. I started in 1996. So I guess if you do the math, we're approaching 27 years. And that's just SOLIDWORKS.
Matthew Hall 0:35
At your work, how are you using leveraging SOLIDWORKS on a daily basis?
John Matrishon 0:39
Daily, I'm solving problems. I run the drafting department in Engineering and I support the product engineers. I'm doing everything from SOLIDWORKS troubleshooting, to PDM admin, to PLM setup to computers and admin images, standard settings, training, troubleshooting, marketing support; I use a number of different software to get the job done. Beyond that, I'm doing a fair amount of complex part modeling, supporting the engineers, doing a lot of surfacing of polymer and wood type parts,
Matthew Hall 1:22
How have you used SOLIDWORKS to solve a challenge at work?
John Matrishon 1:26
One of the bigger challenges is part families and some of the complex geometry parts that we do for molding and CNC type stuff. So the challenge is really that the model needs to be stable enough to really withstand fast paced changes that will come in from either design or marketing. As the design is developing, the complex model I might be working on, really has to be flexible enough to change rather rapidly, even though the design or the part is complex. So if you don't do the part well, you run the risk of delays of everything else. I've been doing a lot of SOLIDWORKS for that kind of helping some of the younger engineers on projects that they're just is an overwhelming amount of work. I'm lucky to solve problems like that, because I do find it nice and challenging.
Matthew Hall 2:33
Awesome. With all the challenges you're facing there and overcoming those challenges with SOLIDWORKS, what is your favorite feature, or the best thing about SOLIDWORKS that you love?
John Matrishon 2:43
That's actually a pretty big list. But I'm a big fan of Power Trim. I've used Power Trim in a number of different ways and you can do so much with it that I like to bring it up when I do presentations. I'll always mention Power Trim, even if it's not sketching related. That's maybe my favorite feature, but the best thing about SOLIDWORKS is the ability to use the feature tree to fix errors and repair things. I really like to be able to go back, dissect it, fix it, learn how to do it better. So the next time it comes back around, you don't have to fix it. Constantly improving how I build models so the next model is always better.
Matthew Hall 3:27
What advice do you have for someone just starting out with SOLIDWORKS?
John Matrishion 3:33
So I wrote this down actually:
- Number One: is just take the time to go through the tutorials and don't skip them. Even if it's something you don't think you'll use, the more exposure you have to all the tools, the better.
- And the second thing would be...Number One: get training from a VAR, highly recommended, it gets you away from the office.
- Number One: is use help.solidworks.com. You know, you might just learn something new on your way to learning what it was that you were trying to learn.
- And Number One: is to find a peer that's knowledgeable and willing to give you some pointers. Peer-to-peer learning, I think is one of the best ways. So if you can find a find a SOLIDWORKS buddy, then you can both learn from each other.
- And the last thing is, Number One: find your local SOLIDWORKS User Group and just join or start one if there's not one in your area. I'm sure you can find other people that are interested in it as well.
Matthew Hall 4:36
So you're number 1, 1, 1... You're really good at math!
John Matrishon 4:39
Yes. Number One. Well, they're all #1!
Part II
Matthew Hall 4:44
What learning paths or SOLIDWORKS certifications would you recommend for someone new to SOLIDWORKS?
John Matrishon 0:00
For SOLIDWORKS certifications, I like the VAR training. The VAR training really goes nicely with the certifications and I think they match up pretty well. If you do some of the VAR training that's going to really help with the certification testing. The certification website is also pretty good with the course descriptions. Even if you've been using SOLIDWORKS for a couple of years and think: "I should be able to do this", there might be specific areas you don't use, like equations or mirroring features or patterning. And there might be a question on there, and you don't have time to go and look that up; you're going to run out of time. You can also practice as there are some practice tests for some of the exams. I would recommend that you time yourself doing stuff. I recommend a dual monitor set-up big time. You need one side for the certification exam itself and another side for modeling. This way you're not switching back and forth. Also, don't take the test during normal working hours. Once you start it, you really can't pause it. Well, actually...you can't pause it. So, if you can do it after hours, or borrow a computer, take it at home, something like that. I would recommend that.
Matthew Hall 1:22
Do you engage in the SOLIDWORKS User Forum community and how?
John Matrishon 1:28
Yeah! I've been on the forums for many years, both learning and helping. Originally, you go there looking for answers, but then, you dive into the forum and a question that gets you interested, and you start to reply. Then people start to be thankful if you've helped them out, and I hate to see people struggle. And there's just such a large SOLIDWORKS user group presence there, too. When the old forum moved, I was concerned that people would bail, but I think they did not overall. And you know, people did voice their disenchantment with it, but it's a new platform, it's not understood just yet. I think it's just going to keep on growing. It's just a big part of who I am and what I do on a regular basis. I just continue to help people out there and learn something new as much as I can.
Matthew Hall 2:30
Besides following you in 3DSwym, who else do you recommend as an expert or guru to connect with and follow?
John Matrishon 2:38
I will give a shout out to @EB, because you know, especially in the MAKERS Support he's just single-handedly just a monster at the support for that. I haven't gotten to use the Makers version yet, because it's just not in my wheelhouse yet for time. But yeah, I definitely have to give Eric a shout out. @TB of course is always out there. @GS is another one that I see his name always up there. And as far as VARS - like @AV - I'm just always reaching out and any content you follow from these folks you're just going to learn something. Lately I like @.S and @LL are also some people to follow. They've just started up their new YouTube channel. I watched one recently and it was SOLIDWORKS for beginners. Now, I'm not a beginner, but I still wanted to watch it just so I could learn how to show other people how to do stuff because watching someone else teach is a great motivator to so I can help my users. You know, it's not the content that's the problem for me it might be how I'm instructing it. @ML is out there as well. He posts on the forums quite a bit and these guys have been in there posting for years.
Matthew Hall 4:11
So finally, is there a particular quote that motivates you?
John Matrishon 4:17
I don't have a quote, but I do have two words that I kind of live by. It's kind of been my motto for a while. The two words are perspective, and adapt.
- PERSPECTIVE is kind of mine, so everyone has a story or a reason why they did something, you know, when you can stop for a second and just be patient, listen to somebody, you might gain a new perspective on something that you've always thought of one way or the other. It just helps me keep grounded whenever I think something's kind of haywire or whatnot. I just think, it's not so bad. I have a great life and it's just that perspective helped keep me grounded.
- ADAPT is actually from my mom, who at her late age was just, she didn't try to fight life. She just kind of said, "you know, I'll just adapt." She was 87 and on Facebook! She loved doing that and she'll get on and play Words with friends and she's like, I'll just, I'll just adapt. So that's been on my whiteboard for a long time now. So, maybe not a quote, but those two words I like, I cherish those two words.
Matthew Hall 5:34
John, thanks for joining us and hope you're having a great 3DEXPERIENCE World 2023 and I'll let you get back to the event!
John Matrishon 5:41
All right. Thank you!
