3D CONTENT CENTRAL (The Next Generation)
A new update to 3D Content Central (3DCC) has been released just in time for SolidWorks World 2009. What is 3DCC you might ask, well it’s a companion website to the SolidWorks software that has lots of downloadable content. I use the word content because along with the expected 3D models, there are also categories for features, blocks and macros. The content contained in 3DCC is from various suppliers catalogs along with user supplied items. The models range from usable blobs of common hardware to fully configured mil-spec connectors and everything in between. I have been an active user since 2004 and you will find guys like Ricky Jordan and Brian McElyea have made contributions to the user content located in the user library. You will also find components from suppliers like Fischer Connectors, Misumi USA and Moog along with hardware from ANSI/ASME. There are several way to get to 3DCC. The first way is simply to go to your web browser and type www.3dcontentcentral.com. This will take you to the home screen where you will need to register for an account. Once you have an account you will be able manage all the content including downloading, uploading and rating the content. The second but not so obvious way is on the “design library” tab of your SolidWorks desktop. If you click the tab, 3DCC is in the tree menu. Once you have an account, a click on one of the items will open the 3DCC website inside SolidWorks. You can size the windows and use them as you would on the web. One quick note here is that you must have IE or other browser running for SW to connect to the website. The third way to get to 3DCC is to log into the customer portal from the SolidWorks website. Once logged into the customer portal, you will find 3DCC listed under “Download” below the Self-Service heading. Once again this will take you to the 3DCC website. Another note here is that if you check the remember me box at log in, when you take any of these methods to open 3DCC, you will be automatically logged into your account.
Some of the updated features in 3DCC are the ability to control your own content by using the “My 3D ContentCentral” (My 3DCC) feature. In this release your profile is set up similar to other “social networking” sites where you can list personal information and create contacts and monitor their 3DCC activities. Other great features of My 3DCC are My Portfolio, which contains all the content that you have uploaded, My Comments, which shows all the comments you have added to the content and My Downloads/Views which contains all the content you have downloaded and/or viewed on 3DCC. The drill down filters have been visually revamped and are easier to use when doing a search. Several filters are available during the search including supplier, content type and category. The thumbnail of the content has been enlarged in the preview window so it’s easier to see the details (yea!). Inside the content window there are options for downloading, rating the content and tagging it so that it’s easier to find. This last one is important because different industries use different nomenclature to describe different items. Other items of note in the content window, are the ability to send the link to someone by email, add to your favorites, post an alternative version and even embed it into a blog like this: Download
With this latest release, I think SolidWorks and the 3DCC team are almost there. This is a great resource for getting content from know suppliers, hard to find parts that you need a model for, a hot new macro to solve your problems or a forming tool that you don’t have to create. I’m looking forward to seeing some new content. Get on 3D Content Central and show us what you’ve got. Who knows it might be just what I’m looking for.
