We recently recieved a survey for what parts should be addedto the Toolbox. I would like to post these thoughts and see whatothers users think.
Question 1: What other items should be added to the toolbox.
This is the wrong approach! Any part has the potential to be aStandard Part. Rather than concentrating on specific items to addto the Toolbox, you should concentrate on providing thecustomization method to add any item as a TRUE toolbox part. Thatis providing an interface to add a design table part to the Accessdatabase or be able to add columns and tables to the database andlink to features/dimensions. The customer needs to have aninterface for customizing the Access database.
Currently when I need a new item, I have to use an existing item asa place holder. I then add geometry to the base part withequations. Since I cannot add table columns these equations arehave to use averages and not true accurate dimensions.
If SW decides to add an item later, then file names of my customitems will all have to change. It is more important to provide adirect customization method than to second guess what items thecustomer wants in the toolbox.
Lastly, the customer should have the option of migrating theToolbox to a REAL database. MS Access is horrible for a multi userenvironment. The customer needs the option of using the supplieddatabase or migrating to their own database such as SQL Server orOracle.
Question 2: Should the fields be opened up to allow any value.
No, row values can already be added or changed by theAdministrator. I want to present to the user what is available andhave the user be able to add any value under the sun.
I believe it is more important to get the custom properties to savein a stable manner. If I'm adding an item, and setting up thecustom properties and I accidently click on an existing item I havealready set up, then all possible values are now available to theexisting item. I have to spend a lot of time re-defining whichvalues are supposed to be available.
SolidworksToolbox
Question 1: What other items should be added to the toolbox.
This is the wrong approach! Any part has the potential to be aStandard Part. Rather than concentrating on specific items to addto the Toolbox, you should concentrate on providing thecustomization method to add any item as a TRUE toolbox part. Thatis providing an interface to add a design table part to the Accessdatabase or be able to add columns and tables to the database andlink to features/dimensions. The customer needs to have aninterface for customizing the Access database.
Currently when I need a new item, I have to use an existing item asa place holder. I then add geometry to the base part withequations. Since I cannot add table columns these equations arehave to use averages and not true accurate dimensions.
If SW decides to add an item later, then file names of my customitems will all have to change. It is more important to provide adirect customization method than to second guess what items thecustomer wants in the toolbox.
Lastly, the customer should have the option of migrating theToolbox to a REAL database. MS Access is horrible for a multi userenvironment. The customer needs the option of using the supplieddatabase or migrating to their own database such as SQL Server orOracle.
Question 2: Should the fields be opened up to allow any value.
No, row values can already be added or changed by theAdministrator. I want to present to the user what is available andhave the user be able to add any value under the sun.
I believe it is more important to get the custom properties to savein a stable manner. If I'm adding an item, and setting up thecustom properties and I accidently click on an existing item I havealready set up, then all possible values are now available to theexisting item. I have to spend a lot of time re-defining whichvalues are supposed to be available.
SolidworksToolbox
