Goal seek, feature grouping, feature library helpers, and the variable rule editor all act to improve engineering productivity. Goal seek presents a simple solution to a vexing problem, eliminating trial-and-error solutions in many cases. For example, using a Sketch layout, users might vary a dimension (goal seek) while the software computes another parameter. Common tasks might include determining pulley locations from fixed belt lengths or solving for areas when changing a boundary dimension. 2D sketch geometry can also drive the size and position of 3D components.

A relationship assistant helps when migrating legacy data or working with imported assemblies where constraints need to be added for use in motion studies. Instead of a tedious manual process, the relationship assistant groups components and then computes possible mating relationships. Dialog boxes show relationships it has found, letting users accept or reject a particular relationship. In one example, the assistant took only 5 minutes to add about 50 relationships instead of an hour or more if done manually. I have not found this useful feature in any other software.

V20 comes from UGS PLM Software, 5800 Granite Pkwy., Suite 600, Plano, TX 75024, (972) 987-3000, ugs.com

Raymond Kurland is president of TechniCom, a firm that specializes in analyzing MCAD and PLM software. Reach him at rayk@technicom.com.

A belt and pulley layout shows the tensioner pulley location being driven by the assembly sketch. This is an example of what Solid Edge calls its hybrid 2D-3D method.