If there is an faq that will answer my question, please direct me to it! I have been wondering about the make-up of the Forum "Groups" and what started me thinking was the Birds-of-a-Feather Session at SWW. The Groups area is made up of local user groups with the exception of the student groups. Would it be benificial to create functional groups for users that have unique issues where information or techniques can be shared or would it simply fracture the community? I am using optics and lighting as an example but the structure would apply to any functional group. From my perspective:

• Every once in a while a question will come up that is specific to modeling an optical element or opto-mechanical assembly (conics or tangent lines to asperic surfaces for example) that many users may not be concerned about. That functional group content could be excluded from "Your Stuff".
• I imagine that a functional group member could if they choose, share models with IES files or optical properties assigned. I am not aware that such a function is available on 3DCC.
• It is supprising how many SW users are in the same general industry. I believe that short of giving away proprietary information, working together has benefits for all members of an industry.
• The functional groups could provide a cross reference to the jobs area for employers looking for full-time, part-time or contract work in a specialized area.
• I would assume the nature of the group would take its own form reflecting the members.

I have been working with lasers, optics, LEDs, etc for (eh-hem) quite a while now and I am happy to share when I can. I think I get more than I give from the forum so I am looking for a way to contribute. Thoughts?