Imagine a world where configuring your machine to your newly purchased software is streamlined and hassle-free, a tool that will avoid the never-ending Google searches and Tech support calls. Does that sound too good to be true? Well, SOLIDWORKS changed the game with SOLIDWORKS Rx. With the Rx tool, you can ensure that your machine is configured to run SOLIDWORKS at optimum performance. This tool is also used to narrow down issues related to your GPU or your settings, and capture problems in the case where you need to share it with your SOLIDWORKS Reseller (VAR) for a resolution.
If you’re thinking “What is this fairy-tale tool that will fix my problems?” (Yes, I can read your mind). Frankly speaking, it is a tool used to optimise SOLIDWORKS performance based on your machine, furthermore, help us as your VAR to troubleshoot the problem you are facing. Here, you can check the recommended graphics card driver, capture problems, do system maintenance and so on. We will have a more in-depth look at the tool later, but firstly let’s learn how to access it.
There are two ways to open SOLIDWORKS Rx.
Launch SOLIDWORKS → SOLIDWORKS Resources side panel → SOLIDWORKS Rx
Type “solidworks rx” in the windows search bar → select the Rx tool for whichever version of SOLIDWORKS you are using.
Let’s go through the tabs, expanding on the functions and uses within each.
When you launch SOLIDWORKS Rx tool, you will be welcomed with this window:
Here, you can see the name and a brief description of each tab on the upper section and on the lower section, we can see SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes.
The two options here are:
This option is used to launch SOLIDWORKS using your integrated graphics card while bypassing your GPU to troubleshoot any graphics card or the driver issues.
If you come across any graphical glitches or anomalies, try using this safe mode. If this mode resolves the issue, it becomes clear that there could be an issue with your graphics card, or the driver is out-of-date.
This option is used to launch SOLIDWORKS to troubleshoot any system settings or toolbox issues.
If you feel like your settings might have been changed accidently or the Toolbox is acting up, you can use this mode which by-passes the current SW settings and launches it with default out-of-the-box settings. If, while in this mode your SOLIDWORKS reverts to normal, we can safely assume that the issue is with your system options (settings).
As the name suggests, this tab is to diagnose your system with respect to SOLIDWORKS.
We can see a list of some useful system information and possible warnings and errors which need action. Furthermore, as discussed in the previous tab, if you do come across any graphics card issues, this is the best place to check your current configuration and the SOLIDWORKS recommended Drivers list to check the recommended card/driver.
This tab is to perform a basic maintenance of your system.
By checking and unchecking boxes, you can choose to clear out and remove any temporary files saved by SOLIDWORKS. It is recommended that you do this at least once a month to ensure that SOLIDWORKS is running just like a well-oiled machine.
When all else fails, we at CADspace are here to help you through thick and thin. With this tab, you can gather all the required information/data, if reproducible, please let us know how in the description and send it through to us, or your current reseller.
With this information at hand, we can work our way through and pinpoint whatever issue it is that is causing your SOLIDWORKS to act up.
When you first open this tab, the Rx tool will start collecting your system information and loading modules. You need not worry as this tool does not collect any confidential information; it just collects the windows OS related information. This ensures that when we capture the problem, all system related information is up to date and hence, it is particularly important to allow this “capturing process” to end before we go any further. On many occasions, issues may be rooted to your current hardware. Using this captured information, we can narrow down the problem and eventually, identify the cause.
Once the basic System related information is captured, the small window will automatically close and you will see that we are now ready to start capturing our problem.
If you wish to add a recorded video to show us the issue you are facing, this is where you start. If you are facing an issue that is reproducible due to certain workflow, we highly recommend using this section as it will give us a clear picture of what exactly is happening. Below are the steps on how to record the video:
1. You can choose to record the SOLIDWORKS window alone OR your entire monitor screen (if you have multiple screen, you get the option to select whichever screen you wish to record from the drop-down list for Source). Once ready, click the ‘Record Video…’ button.
2. If SOLIDWORKS is already running, you will see a small window popup asking you to either ‘Use Current Session’ of SOLIDWORKS to record (in the case where you have everything set up already), or ‘Restart SOLIDWORKS’ and start fresh.
3. Finally, you will see your SOLIDWORKS window and another small window with the basic commands to Start Recording, Restart the session, Pause, and Finish. When you wish to start recording, move the recorder menu to a corner or on a different screen, or simply minimize it so it does not interfere with the recording and begin recreating the issue.
Once the video has been recorded, you will notice a green tick next to Capture instead of a red cross. This shows that the session was recorded successfully, and you may move on to Package.
While it’s always a good idea to record a video for us to see your workflow, you can still jump directly onto the next segment if you choose not to.
In this segment, you can either allow SOLIDWORKS to automatically collect all the relevant data and information by clicking on the ‘Package Files…’ button, or you can manually add more files to the .zip output by clicking the ‘Add Files…’ button in case you think there are more files which might be required for your VAR to investigate the issue.
Please note that the files collected do not include any personal information, IDs, or passwords. It does however, collect the SOLIDWORKS files used during the video recording session so your VAR can reproduce and resolve the problem. Rest assured; you are in safe hands with SOLIDWORKS.
The last segment is where you can put your issue into words.
Here, you can clearly explain the issue to us and how, if possible, to recreate the error. Additionally, you can describe how impactful this issue is to your work/business and why. This will give us an idea of the issues’ severity and how this case should be handled. Once you have entered the description, just hit ‘OK’ to see the new window pop-up informing you that you have successfully captured the problem.
When sending us the file, please ensure that you do not change the name of the .zip folder created, now sit back, relax, and let us deal with it.
This tab provides you with important information on terminated SOLIDWORKS sessions.
The chart has three different coloured icons highlighting the following manner of terminations:
1. Blue is for a normal termination (i.e. by the user)
2. Orange is for a forceful termination (e.g. using the Task Manager to End Task)
3. Red is for unexpected termination (i.e. software crash)
Whenever the SOLIDWORKS session is terminated forcefully or has unexpectedly crashed, the Sessions Ending chart will list down the Windows events (which include network or driver issues).
Furthermore, for crashes specifically, we will also find ‘Display Stacks’ in the bottom section. These stacks can relay important data guiding us towards a possible cause for the unexpected termination.
Now you’re thinking, “How do I send this information to my reseller since it seems important?”, that’s right, I’m still reading your mind. Well, remember the Problem Capture tab? It collects all this information for you, so you do not have to worry about gathering and sending us any individual files.
For all us tech lovers, this tab is where we can show off our machines and compare with other SOLIDWORKS users.
If you wish to achieve the most accurate results, it is suggested you reboot your machine and ensure nothing else is running in the background while the test is taking place. The test can take 30 minutes or more depending on two things:
1. Machine configurations and specifications.
2. Selected Performance Benchmark tests (Optional Tests):
a. Rendering
b. Simulation
Once the testing is complete, you will see a window pop up with the results. You can now choose to Share Your Results with SOLIDWORKS and other users or View Other Results available online.
Note: Ensure that you compare the results with the equivalent SOLIDWORKS versions since the newer versions will have different performance results compared with the older SOLIDWORKS versions on the same machine.
Above is the benchmark from my machine. Think your machine is better?
Do you believe in this fairy-tale tool now? This is a one-stop tool where you can maintain, troubleshoot as well as collect important information regarding your SOLIDWORKS installation. It allows you to gather enough useful data that can be shared with your VAR, which can prove useful to both yourself and your VAR. How you ask? With the help of the video, your VAR (us) can get an immediate demonstration of what is happening and how to reproduce the issue, in-return you will get a resolution much faster than what could be expected of a tennis match of emails, describing in lengths the issue that you face.
Finally, you can live your dream of having stress-free experience with your SOLIDWORKS package and self-troubleshoot issues like a pro!
Please feel free to reach out to our experienced Technical Support Team at CADspace if you need help understanding the functionalities in greater depth. Enjoy!
Written by Raza Khalil, Application Engineer
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