Xpresso speech recognition software empowers SolidWorks users to design with their voice, saving time and increasing productivity

Saying it with Xpresso is just faster. Developed by Certified SolidWorks Professionals, Xpresso speech recognition software allows designers to simply say commands eliminating actions that do not add value. Using Xpresso reduces hand movement and augments the use of additional navigation devices streamlining the design process and making it more efficient.

"I've reduced my part modeling time approximately 30 to 40 percent using Xpresso," said Dan Falvey, CEO of tools4design, a CAD consulting company. "On a recent project, I modeled up a part that usually would have taken me a couple of hours in about 45 minutes."

Our customers report that in addition to reducing movement and mouse clicks, they see an improvement in focus and concentration while designing, quick access to SolidWorks commands they don't regularly use, and a reduction in muscle fatigue. These components add up to higher productivity.

Eliminating actions that do not add value

Saying a command with Xpresso rather than selecting the same command with a mouse eliminates hunting through toolbars, menus, and icons. Design efficiency is often quantified by the number of mouse clicks or the time required to create a standardized part.

Case studies conducted with SolidWorks tutorial parts show that using Xpresso reduces mouse movement an average of 60 percent and mouse clicks an average of 35 percent. Simply moving the mouse between icons can consume one second or more. Using Xpresso reduced mouse movements up to 80 percent with some parts. These reductions add up to faster design - an average of 17 percent faster.

At SolidWorks World 2009 Jeff Ray, CEO of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., related that over half of the SolidWorks customers they interviewed said they spend more than 70 percent of their time in SolidWorks. With 17 percent faster design, an engineer has the potential of saving five and a half weeks each year.

Even if users only spend 50 percent of their time in SolidWorks, at 17 percent improved productivity an Xpresso investment can be recouped with a month.

Increasing SolidWorks efficiency

In addition to the standard list of over 650 SolidWorks commands available to the user, Xpresso introduced a new concept in productivity, Xpress commands. Each Xpress command combines several standard actions into one quick and easy voice command. Use simple phrases such as mate coincident, cut through all, Xpress cylinder, and 70 more to create parts and assemblies faster than ever. Some commands save eight or more mouse clicks.

"Xpresso is building a strong reputation for delivering the efficiency engineers need," said Nick Iwaskow, Manager, Alliances at Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Xpress commands not only improve efficiency, but they improve the user experience by reducing repetitive tasks, such as mating parts, to simple voice commands.

Reducing the learning curve

With Xpresso it's easy to use new or little-used SolidWorks commands. The Xpresso task pane shows the user what commands can be said in the design context. Users can also select a command group such as Sketch, View, Sheet metal, or Drawing to see available color-coded commands based on their preferences. Commands are never hidden within drop-down menus, but available at a glance. This gives users quick, clear access to new commands after an upgrade or commands rarely used because they're hidden from view in the menu structure.

Furthermore, the Command Editor grants users the option to customize commands by changing the spoken phrase Xpresso listens for, suppress commands that are never used, or hide well-known commands that the user no longer needs to see.

Focus on design

Less hand repositioning from keyboard to other input devices and back keeps the designers eyes on the screen and mind on the design.

"Basically, using Xpresso I forget about the semantics and location of the SolidWorks interface and icons and concentrate on the actual modeling of the part," said Falvey. "I just voice the command I want and SolidWorks does the rest. I can hammer through a part without loss of thought or direction. To me this is one of the major advantages of using Xpresso."

Using additional navigation devices and reducing muscle strain

Xpresso provides the flexibility to achieve the maximum benefits of using 3D navigation and other devices by maintaining hand position on a 3D device and mouse while preserving the ability to activate commands and select from menus.

In addition, less repositioning from keyboard to input devices and back reduces muscle fatigue and the opportunity for repetitive-motion injuries.

"Xpresso allows me to work on my projects without distraction, allows me to work with extremely tight deadlines without insanity, and also, as a sidebar, makes my job fun again." said Falvey.