Here’s a copy of the email that was sent out via the class email list.
Greetings.
Please forgive the length of this email.
This email is to provide you information necessary to decide whether it will be feasible for you to use SolidWorks this semester.
I’ve just found out that it will be another 2–4 weeks before the new PC lab (the Ingman? lab) in EMCB 210, just around the corner from the CADE lab (EMCB 224) will be fully operational. This is a bit of a problem because this is where SolidWorks will be installed.
If you already have access to SolidWorks 2005 or newer with Cosmos, this does not affect you at all.
If you already have access to SolidWorks with Cosmos Express, this does not affect you till October when we have you do the FEA tutorials. This situation should be rectified by then. But, still please read the rest of the email.
If you were planning to use the SolidWorks software installed in the PC lab, this affects you!!!
So, here’s the plan…
In order to make it feasible to be able to make SolidWorks available for students, we are making some compromises.
1) We will stay with SolidWorks 2005–2006 (last year’s version) and probably switch over to 2006–2007 over xmas break.
2) We will make CDs available for those who have laptops to install solidWorks 2005–2006 through the CADE lab (students who are coming to lab, bring your laptops and install tomorrow if you like — read on for more details).
3) Over the weekend, Mark Ogden (CADE support staff) will be setting up 5 PCs with SolidWorks that will become available from 9AM-5PM in the Ingman lab starting next Tuesday, 9/5/06, which will give students time to complete tutorials 1 & 3. The hours of the Ingman lab will be expanded once card key access is activated in a week or two.
NOW YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU NEED IN ORDER MAKE A DECISION WHETHER USING SOLID WORKS THIS SEMESTER WILL BE FEASIBLE FOR YOU.
Read on for more details on how to get solidWorks installed on your laptop.
Getting SolidWorks on your laptop (see Mark Ogden or other CADE staff for help).
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1) You will need installation disks for solidworks and cosmos. Copies of these disks are available in the CADE lab (EMCB 224), Jason Smith’s office (accross from the ME office), and even from the TAs.
I’m still unsure about the cosmos install, but do the solidworks install first and don’t worry if cosmos doesn’t install, you won’t need it immediately and it can be installed before you need it in October. During the SolidWorks install, you will need to enter the serial number.
9710 0050 5893 0548
Make sure when you do your install that the flexlm license manager gets installed as part of the installation.
2) After installing the software, it is still useless until you “CHECK OUT A LICENSE”. At some point we may make a handout with the details of this, but for now, you will need to get assistance from the CADE staff in checking out a license the first time.
Currently the license server is only accessible from eithernet drops in the CADE lab, so in order to checkout a license you will need to bring your laptop there, plug in to the eithernet cables that are just around the corner from the main CADE lab entrance, connect to the license server, and check out a license for up to a month. Once you have done this, you can pretty much use the software anywhere for the next month without the need for internet access.
-Will