ASCENT Blog

5 Reasons to consider Software Simulations for PLM Training

By Barb Nash

When implementing or upgrading PLM software, some companies are using software simulations in their PLM training for effective end-user training to help ensure that the new business processes are successfully adopted. Software product simulations can allow a user to learn a company’s
processes and best practices in an interactive and focused environment, without needing to install software or maintain a training database. Below are 5 reasons to consider incorporating software simulations into your PLM training and  eLearning plans:

 1 – Provides Interaction

• Similar to working with the actual software a student can work through hands-on exercises and if incorrect selections are made, feedback is provided.
• Steps can be shown throughout as a reminder of where a student is within the process or exercise.
• Tips and best practice notes can be shown to reinforce important concepts.
• Questions can be incorporated throughout to confirm comprehension.

Click here to see a sample of a software simulated practice from ASCENT’s Vault 2013: Data Management for Inventor Users course.

2 – No Training Database to maintain

• Software Simulations do not require a specific database, which is typically required for PLM software training.
• Reduces cost of maintaining either local or shared training databases.
• Prevents unwanted modifications to the training database.

 3 – Allows for Repetition   

• Can repeat steps using navigation controls compared to it being difficult in live PLM training when working with versions and revisions unless you reset the database.
• Repetition can help learners familiarize themselves with processes, such as Engineering Change Management procedures.
• Can repeat procedures until they make sense to the student.
• Can go to a specific task when needed or at a future date for review purposes.

 4 – Provides a Focused Learning Environment

• Since the student is provided with a simulated environment, they cannot select incorrect options that could change the object in the database, making it difficult to undo.
• Helps keep students focused on the task at hand instead of being tempted to select options not related to the concept being taught that could possibly affect the outcome of the task.
• Helps minimize support calls or questions to instructors when something isn’t working due to a student's specific environment.

 5 – No installation required of PLM or CAD integration software

• The PLM software along with any integrated CAD software doesn’t have to be installed.
• A student can take the training anytime,anywhere.
• A student can also use any device as the software simulation can be published to the web, desktops, YouTube, mobile devices and Learning Management Systems (LMS).

ASCENT's self-paced Vault 2013: Data Management for Inventor Users course in the ProductivityNOW portal contains software simulations for its exercises and is available to anyone with access to that course. Students do the guided exercises directly in their browser on the ProductivityNOW site as if they are using the Vault software.

I will be attending Autodesk University this year. If you are too, please join me for a mind-boggling game of Out of the Vault and test your knowledge of Vault concepts at the ATC Pavilion on Tuesday, November 27^th at 9:05 p.m. At other times I’ll be in the ASCENT booth at the AU Bookstore in Exhibit Hall, Booth #703. Hope to meet you there!

Viewing 3D Models in AutoCAD Architecture 2013

By Lisa Kemp

When I work in the AutoCAD^® Architecture software I often need to switch from 2D to 3D views. Students can find this useful for understanding how their 2D floor plan is going to look in 3D and how that affects how they place elements, such as windows and doors. For example, I can draw walls and add windows and doors in a 2D plan view and then switch to a 3D view to see how they look and modify them as needed. The ViewCube and the preset views that are supplied with the software can be used to do this. I can then use Visual Styles to change the shading in the drawing to display the objects more clearly when they are in 3D. To be more efficient when switching from 2D to 3D, I create custom views. This enables me to have a number of 3D views of the same 2D element and to switch between them quickly.

To quickly display the drawing in 3D, I usually select one of the preset views, such as SW Isometric, NE Isometric, Front, or Right. I can also use the ViewCube to quickly switch between preset views, or click and drag on it to rotate the model. Alternatively, I can hold down <Shift> and use the scroll wheel on the mouse to orbit the model until it displays the view that shows the elements that I want to see.

 

When I first switch to a 3D view it can be difficult to interpret the model because the default display is a wireframe view. So I select one of the standard visual styles such as Hidden or Conceptual to see the model more clearly. I can still modify the model, no matter which visual style has been selected.

 

To change the visual style I usually go to the View tab>Visual Styles tab, expand the Visual Styles control, and select a style. I like this list because it includes a preview of how the model is going to be displayed. Alternatively, I could go to the Home tab>View panel, expand the Visual Styles button, and select one of the styles.

Once I have orbited and zoomed the model to get the required display, I can save it as a custom view. This can be done by right-clicking on the ViewCube and selecting Set Current View as Home. This is a quick method but only creates a temporary view, which is overwritten the next time the option is used.

When I want to create a number of custom views, I go to the View tab>Appearance panel, expand the Preset View Control and select View Manager… When the View Manager dialog box opens, I click the New button to open the New View/Shot Properties dialog box. Then I enter a custom name for the view, set the Boundary to use the current display in the drawing window or click the Define View Window button to select a different view of the model. I accept the defaults for the other settings in the dialog box and then click the OK button to create the custom view. This method enables me to create and save multiple custom views, which I find to be the more useful way to work as they are always available to me.

Using the preset and custom views can make switching from 2D to 3D views very easy. Being able to create custom views saves a lot of time when I need to frequently switch from 2D to 3D and don’t want to use the preset views and have to zoom and orbit to where I had been every time. It is also useful when learning how to use the AutoCAD Architecture software in that it makes it easier to understand elements, such as walls, doors, and windows, are going to look in both 2D and 3D.