This week has seen a few announcements regarding Solidworks 2009.  For starters, the Pre-Release 2 version was  posted for download in the download section of the customer portal.  Both 32 and 64 bit versions are available.  Typically Pre-Release 2 is the last release before Service Pack 0, so the release time line of late September, early October looks to still be on track.  Combine that with the VAR's starting their roll-out events the first week of October, and the time line looks even more solid.

The recently released new product from Solidworks, Photo View 360, also has moved from Beta, to Pre-Release 1.  PV360 will be available to Solidworks Premium, and Solidworks Professional licenses, as well as some legacy products like Solidworks Office and stand alone PhotoWorks.  The PV360 is no longer a separate download, and is supposed to automatically download depending on your serial number, but it didn't get downloaded with my Solidworks Premium serial number.  Another SW blogger experienced the same issue, so I'm going to blame the Installation manager, but this is still technically a 'beta' version, so I'm not expecting perfection until Service Pack 0.

There is also a nifty new website Solidworks recently launched to promote Solidworks 2009.  You can access all the cool videos, and product info by visiting thisLink.

To wrap up all the feeling of newness, theSolidworks Websitehas an all new look and feel to it.

Last night'sCTSUGmeeting was officially scheduled to end at 8:45pm.  When the first session ran a little long, it didn't leave Sal Lama a lot of extra time to do his presentation.  At 9:00pm the room was still full, and group leader Bill Casnovsky offered the group a couple of options - wrap up with the prize drawing, or hand out some prizes and then let Sal keep going.  It wasn't even close.

In my opinion, Sal is one of the best presenters in the world.  He left little doubt about that last night as most of the CTSUG members ended up staying well past 10:00pm.  A few people even stayed around a little longer to ask some more questions and to let Sal know what a great job he had done.

I have to give a little shout out to Bill as well.  During his opening remarks, he fired up the"Why You Should Attend SolidWorks World" presentation and related some of his own experiences and why he feels it's important to attend.  He even had a copy of Muggs'"SolidWorks World Survival Guide" on hand.

Also on hand last night...Rodel"Hole-in-One" Bautista, Steve Calvert, and Ed Ortiz, a former colleague of mine fromManitex.  It's always great to see these folks.

The next CTSUG meeting will feature another terrific SolidWorks speaker - Avelino Rochino.  I wouldn't miss it.