About
SolidWorks Experience
I was (and still am occasionally) a long time AutoCAD user. I began using SolidWorks at release 99 and have been a believer of the software from day one. I initially used SolidWorks to design complex cast iron and sheet metal parts for the heating industry. For the last few years my SolidWorks usage has been to design various products for the granite industry. I became a CSWP in January of 2004.
PhotoWorks Experience
About three years ago I began to teach myself PhotoWorks. In that time I have made every mistake possible in my quest to achieve realistic images. Mistakes however teach you a great deal and today I find myself producing incredible images using PhotoWorks.
Location
I’m a native of Vermont (the green mountain state) and love the lifestyle provided by the area. I love the changing seasons and the different forms of recreation and activities the seasons provide.
My favorite season? Winter! I’m an avid snowmobiler.
Work Experience
It would probably surprise most of you to know I have a degree in architecture and half of my work experience is architecture related. Surprising because I don’t feel this is the typical background of a SolidWorks user. Once this information is known the # 1 question I receive, “do you use SolidWorks for architecture?”. The answer, yes and no. The current products I design with SolidWorks do have an architectural look to them but are not nearly as complicated as a building would be to model. I have modeled some home remodeling projects in SolidWorks (I’m sure we all have) and have found SolidWorks to be quite helpful with space planning and visualization. Would I want to model an entire building in SolidWorks? Probably not.
The other half of my work experience is mechanical with a little industrial design thrown in. This work consisted mostly of complex iron castings that needed to fit both a form and function criteria as well as sheet metal part design.
I should probably also mention I use PhotoWorks on a daily basis to produce high quality renderings for sales presentations and catalogs. Every once in a while I also create animations using Animator to help potential customers further visualize their product.