Appendix A: Finding Help
PDMWorks Workgroup Vault Debug Guide
When the vault gives you an error code, you don’t have to call tech support to find out what is
wrong. It is listed in the PDMWorks Workgroup Vault Debug Guide. All error codes appear with
the name of the error. This is a must-have document for the PDMWorks administrator.FLEXlm End Users Guide
The FLEXlm End Users Guide is required reading for a network license administrator. While the
network license is easy to install, set up, and maintain, this guide explains many of the details and
options that are available.User Groups
The main SolidWorks site for user groups is http://www.swugn.org. There are too many individual
user groups to keep track of or list here, but you can find a user group in your area on the
SolidWorks User Group Network (SWUGN) site. You can also find user group information on the
SolidWorks Forums, discussed in detail in the next section.
Online Forums
There are many types of online forums for SolidWorks. I have already discussed the forum on the
SolidWorks Web site. Other forums are not directly sponsored by SolidWorks Corporation, and
they may vary in quality.Blogs
Blogs for SolidWorks and related topics cover everything from opinion-based essays to speculation
about future products, tips, and tricks or CAD industry news. Most are written by SolidWorks
users rather than journalists, so you’ll get specifics about a tool that you actually use.I write a blog, which you can find at http://dezignstuff.com/blog. It covers advanced
SolidWorks subjects such as surfacing, as well as consumer advocate type of articles, including
information on enhancement request drives and subscription options. I also provide links to many
other SolidWorks-related blogs, forums, and Web sites.
My blog has updates to books, notices of new books, lists of errors found in books, and a lot of
other content. I deal with philosophical and ethical questions related to product design and CAD
in general. I post advanced tips, and sometimes excerpts from books. I also post questions for
readers and polls where readers can express their opinions; and I’m always looking for opinions as
long as you can back up what you have to say.