Maximizing SolidWorks Performance

Adrian Fanjoy, Technical Services Manager, MCSE Josh Altergott, Support Manager, CSWP Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Agenda

Introductions Background Disclaimer The model The environment(s) The tests The results Grand finale Questions
JA

Background

Joshs experience in analyzing customer assemblies and modeling methods My experience analyzing modeling environments When were we taught proper methodology? Hardware and OS configuration is ITs problem What steps will have the greatest effect?

AF

The model

No you cant see it Its big

2.4

GB Directory Total Components Parts

6637 5862 775 663

Sub Assemblies Top level mates Bodies

13011

Several assemblies that were brought to us because performance was lacking.

JA

The environment (This is beaker)

Dell T5500

1 2 processors 2.4Ghz 1 8 cores 6 12 GB RAM Windows 7 64bit Nvidia Quadro Fx 4000 Video card SolidWorks 2011 SP1.0 Hard drives
2 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drives Single, RAID 0, or RAID 1 2 64GB Solidstate hard drives Single, RAID 0, RAID 1

AF

The environment (This is beaker)

AF

The Baseline
Files Stored in the current version Files stored on the local machine 1 processor 2 cores 6 GB RAM Swap set to OS default Storage on a single disk Assembly fully resolved SolidWorks system options set to defaults Several Add-ins turned on RealView Graphics turned on Image quality set high Significant number of top level mates OS and user settings set to default High level of detail in purchase components

JA

The tests (What we did to Beaker)

2010 vs 2011 Network file storage External References Verification on rebuild Swap file options RAM options Hard drive options LAM and Lightweight Processor options Add-ins Graphics quality Detail level in purchased parts Mating methods System options (SolidWorks) System settings (OS) Optimal setup

AF

The tests (What we did to Beaker)

The baseline is as close to the original model as possible Some tests are expected to show performance detriment Some tests are expected to show performance improvement Our optimal system relates only to these tests. There are other enhancements that could be made that are not covered in the presentation. 18 test groups 27 tests Average test time ~ 7 hrs. Over 200 hrs of raw testing time

JA

What we didnt test

Fragmented vs. defragmented hard drives Extraneous apps. running in the background

iTunes Google stuff Weather bug Playing music Etc

SpeedPac Different video cards Different processor speeds

(This could have been cool)

JA

Disclaimer

The information contained in this presentation is meant to assist the audience in improving performance of SolidWorks for the purpose of design, analysis, photo-rendering, and other engineering, design, or related endeavors. The information and advice published or made available through this presentation is not intended to replace the services of a VAR, nor does it constitute a VAR-User relationship. The opinions expressed in this presentation are not necessarily the opinions of Computer Aided Technology, or even the person who said it. (Theres no telling what he was smoking.) Neither presenter, their employing company, nor their spouses are responsible for any negative results that may occur due to use of the techniques. They do however, claim responsibility for all of the positive results. Use of the techniques described in this presentation can cause immediate results. The user should employ these techniques with caution until he/she know how they may react to the results. The user should not drive or operate machinery while utilizing these techniques. Call your VAR if your performance worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days. This may mean that another condition is causing your performance issues. Walking, eating, driving or engaging in other activities while asleep without remembering it the next day have been reported. Other abnormal behaviors include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations and confusion. Those results generally have occurred with our prosophobic test subjects only, so were not sure its our fault. Side effects to this presentation may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness and a general distaste for a slight southern accent. If you experience chest pain, nausea, or any other discomforts during this presentation or if this presentation causes an erection lasting more than 4 hours seek immediate medical help.

AF

Baseline
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline

Opens ~40mins Rotations ~31 mins Modeling ~1hr 13mins Rebuilds ~2hrs 30mins

Switching sheets ~56mins Saves ~65 mins Closes ~55mins

Benchmark run time:

7:50:20
AF

SolidWorks 2010 vs SolidWorks 2011

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline SW 2010

Results
Rotations 17% slower costing ~5 mins Switching Sheets 14% slower costing ~8mins Saves 22% faster saving ~14 mins Closes 38% faster saving ~21mins
JA

SolidWorks 2010 vs SolidWorks 2011

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline SW 2010

Total
Over all 4% faster in SW2010 saving 20mins 15secs

JA

Reference file locations (Network)

12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes

Baseline Ref File Loc

AF

Reference file locations (Network)

12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes

Baseline Ref File Loc

Results
Opens 22% slower costing ~3 mins Rebuilds 14% slower costing ~21mins Switching sheets 20% slower costing ~11mins Saves 13% slower costing ~8mins Modeling 23% faster saving ~16 mins
AF

Reference file locations (Network)

12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes

Baseline Ref File Loc

Total
6% slower costing ~29mins

AF

Files saved in the old version

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Stored in 2010

Results
Opens 9% slower costing ~4mins Saves 15% slower costing ~10mins

JA

Assembly stored on the network

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Assy stored on Net

Results
Opens 51% slower costing ~20 mins Saves 29% slower costing ~19mins Closes 13% slower costing ~7mins

AF

Assembly stored on the network

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Assy stored on Net

Total
10% slower costing ~47mins

AF

Verification on Rebuild (On)

40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline VOR

Results
Opens 9% slower costing ~4mins Rotations 30% slower costing ~9 mins Rebuilds 324% slower costing ~8hrs 4 mins Switching Sheets 47% slower costing ~26mins Saves 27% slower costing ~17 mins
JA

Verification on Rebuild (On)

40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline VOR

Total
114% slower Benchmark completed in ~16hrs 48mins

JA

Swap file set to twice RAM

AF

Swap file set to twice RAM

AF

Swap file set to twice RAM

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Swap 2X RAM

Results
Rotations 18% faster saving ~6mins Modeling 23% faster saving ~16 mins Saves 15% faster saving ~10mins Closes 29% faster saving ~16mins
AF

Swap file set to twice RAM

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Swap 2X RAM

Total
12% faster saving ~57mins

AF

SolidWorks system options set to optimal

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Sys & SW Options

Results
Opens 39% faster saving ~15 mins Switching Sheets 15% faster saving ~8 mins Closes 9% faster saving ~5mins

JA

SolidWorks system options set to optimal

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Sys & SW Options

Total
7% faster saving ~32 mins

JA

OS user settings to optimal

AF

OS user settings to optimal

AF

OS user settings to optimal

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline OS Settings

Results
Opens 10% faster saving ~4mins Rotations 34% faster saving ~10 mins Modeling 37% faster saving ~27mins Saves 9% slower costing ~6mins Closes 13% faster saving ~7mins
AF

OS user settings to optimal

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline OS Settings

Total
11% faster saving 51 mins

AF

All Addins turned off

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Tools Addins

Results
Rotations 13% faster saving ~4mins Modeling 31% faster saving ~22 mins Closing 17% faster saving ~9 mins

JA

All Addins turned off

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Tools Addins

Total
9% faster saving ~44mins

JA

RAM and Processors

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes 6GB 1 Core Baseline 6GB 4 Cores 12GB 2 Cores 12GB 4 Cores 12GB 8 Cores

Results
12GB RAM vs 6GB RAM makes a BIG difference

47% faster on average saving 3hrs 46mins

2 cores is better than 1 4 cores is slightly better than 2 8 cores gets you nothing in SolidWorks (there are exceptions)
AF

Image Quality set low and RealView graphics off

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Image Quality RV

Results
Opens 50% faster saving ~20mins Rotations 31% faster saving ~10mins Modeling 32% faster saving ~23mins

JA

Image Quality set low and RealView graphics off

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Image Quality RV

Results
Rebuilds 8% faster saving ~12mins Switching Sheets 15% faster saving ~8 mins Closes 20% faster saving ~10 mins

JA

Image Quality set low and RealView graphics off

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Image Quality RV

Total
18% faster saving 1hrs ~24mins

JA

Hard drive storage options

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline RAID 0 RAID 1 Single SS RAID 0 SS RAID 1 SS

Results
No significant benefit found in either opens or saves Closes and Modeling showed better on RAID 0 SolidState Expected more substantial differences

AF

Hard drive storage options

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline RAID 0 RAID 1 Single SS RAID 0 SS RAID 1 SS

Results
2 hard drives RAID 0 4% faster 2 hard drives RAID 1 5% faster 1 solid state hard drive 10% faster 2 solid state hard drives RAID 0 11% faster 2 hard drives RAID 1 6% faster
AF

Hard drive storage options

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline RAID 0 RAID 1 Single SS RAID 0 SS RAID 1 SS

Best option -- 2 solid state drives RAID 0

Opens 9% faster saving ~4mins Rotations 29% faster saving ~9mins Modeling 44% faster saving ~32mins Closes 19% faster saving ~10 mins
AF

Hard drive storage options

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline RAID 0 RAID 1 Single SS RAID 0 SS RAID 1 SS

Best option -- 2 solid state drives RAID 0 Total

12% faster saving 58 mins

AF

Level of detail reduced

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Detail Level

Results
Opens 21% faster saving ~8 mins Rotations 42% faster saving ~13mins Modeling 32% faster saving ~23 mins Rebuilds 9% faster saving ~13mins Closes 23% faster saving ~12 mins
JA

Level of detail reduced

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Detail Level

Total
16% faster saving 1hr 14 mins

JA

Unsupported video card

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline No Video

Results
Item 1 Item 2 Etc

AF

PhotoView360 number of cores

4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2 4 8 "12GB" "6GB"

Results
RAM doesnt make a difference in this situation Doubling the processors doubles the speed

AF

FloWorks number of cores

45000 40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 2 4 8 "12GB" "6GB"

Results
RAM doesnt make a difference in this situation Going from 2 to 4 processors saves 30% on time to solution Going from 4 to 8 processors saves 5% on time to solution

AF

Top level mates and flexible subs reduced significantly

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline TopLevel Mates

Results
Opens 11% faster saving ~4 mins Rotations 34% faster saving ~10 mins Modeling 52% faster saving ~37 mins Closes 18% faster saving ~10mins
JA

Top level mates and flexible subs reduced significantly

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline TopLevel Mates

Total
15% faster saving ~1hr 9mins

JA

Light weight and LAM on

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline LightWeight

Results
Opens 46% faster saving ~18mins Rotations 95% faster saving 30mins Modeling 83% faster saving ~1hr

JA

Light weight and LAM on

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline LightWeight

Results
Rebuilds 98% faster saving ~2hrs 26mins Saves 96% faster saving ~1hr 3mins Closes 98% faster saving ~53 mins

JA

Light weight and LAM on

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline LightWeight

Total
80% faster saving ~6hrs 14mins Benchmark completes in ~1hr 36mins

JA

Grand Finale

Bang for your buck

OS Settings Swap 2X RAM RAID 0 Solidstate Top Level Mates Reduced Detail Reduced Image quality low RV off 12GB RAM 4 Cores 11% faster 12% faster 12% faster 15% faster 15% faster 16% faster 47% faster 6:58:54 6:53:17 6:51:36 6:41:12 6:35:56 6:33:01 4:10:42

Light Weight Mode (on) 80% faster 1:36:15

Baseline

7:50:20
JA

The optimal setup (Super Beaker)

Files stored in current version Verification on rebuild (off) Reference file locations (off) SolidWorks options (optimal) Assembly stored locally Swap file set to 2X RAM All Addins (off) OS User setting (optimal) 12GB RAM 1 Processor with 4 cores Solid state hard drives RAID 0 Image quality set low RealView graphics (off) Model detail reduced Reduced top level mates No flexible sub-assemblies Light weight Mode (on)

Optimal
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Optimal

Results
Opens 79% faster saving ~31 mins Rotations 97% faster saving ~30 mins Modeling 83% faster saving ~1hr Rebuilds 97% faster saving ~2hrs 25 mins
JA

Optimal
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Optimal

Results
Switching sheets 51% faster saving ~28 mins Saving 98% faster saving ~1hr 4 mins Closing 98% faster saving ~54mins

JA

Optimal
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Optimal

Total
88% faster saving ~6hrs 55 mins Benchmark completed in ~54 mins

JA

Optimal (option 2)
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Optimal

Results
Opens 72% faster saving ~28 mins Rotations 88% faster saving ~27 mins Modeling 64% faster saving ~47mins Rebuilds 16% faster saving ~24mins
AF

Optimal (option 2)
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Optimal

Results
Switching sheets 42% faster saving ~23 mins Saving 72% faster saving ~47mins Closing 89% faster saving ~49mins

AF

Optimal (option 2)
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Opens Rotations Modeling Rebuilds Switching sheets Saves Closes Baseline Optimal

Total
52% faster saving ~4hrs 6 mins Benchmark completed in ~3hrs 43 mins

AF

Thank You

http://www.cati.com/sww11.htm Questions?
JA

SolidWorks system options

SolidWorks system options

SolidWorks system options

SolidWorks system options