Congratulations on choosing Xpresso, the premier speech recognition system for SolidWorks. Access menus, select commands, and use more of SolidWorks while moving your hands less.

Topics

• Turning Xpresso on and off
• Selecting a microphone
• Setting up your speech-recognition profile
• Making a new part with Xpresso
• Configure the command list
• Adjusting the recognition settings
• Adjusting the microphone

Turning Xpresso on and off

Xpresso is designed to run seamlessly inside SolidWorks. After installation, Xpresso will be added to the list of Add-ins in SolidWorks. Typically after you have installed Xpresso it will automatically be listening, or turned on. If it is not listening then you will need to manually turn it on.

Xpresso can be manually turned on or off from the Add-Ins window of SolidWorks.

To access the Add-In menu go to Tools > Add-Ins...
Which brings up the following window.



Scroll to the bottom of the list and click the left check box. If you want Xpresso to load every time SolidWorks starts, then also click the right check box.

Click OK.

Notice you have access to the Xpresso menu, as well as the Xpresso Command Editor and Task Pane on the right side of SolidWorks.

TIP: The Status Bar tells you if Xpresso is listening for commands and the last command Xpresso heard.

Selecting a microphone

Read our recommendations for selecting a microphone so you will have the best experience using Xpresso.

• Select a microphone that is designed for speech-recognition software.
• Select a microphone that has noise-canceling technology. This feature will filter out background noise.
• Select a microphone with a positionable microphone. Being able to position the microphone will give you the best recognition results.
• Consider a boom microphone if you don't want to wear a headset.
• A microphone with volume controls and a mute button are very convenient for speech-recognition use.
• Avoid wireless Bluetooth headsets. Testing shows inconsistent interaction with Xpresso.

TIP: Check out our list of recommended microphones.

Setting up your speech-recognition profile

The first time you use Xpresso you need to train a new Recognition Profile. The recognition profile trains Xpresso to your voice, so that you can get the best recognition possible. This takes about 10 minutes and is best to do in a quiet room.

NOTE: Multiple profiles can be stored on a single computer and quickly switched for each person who uses Xpresso.

Open the Speech Properties window by clicking Xpresso > Voice Training

NOTE: Some Vista computers have trouble opening the Speech Properties window using the previous method. Click here for an alternate method.



This is where you will create, edit and delete Recognition Profiles. Since this is the first time you have used Xpresso, you will only have the Default Speech Profile. To make a new profile, click New. This opens the Profile Wizard. Enter a descriptive name for the new profile and click Next.



Follow the wizard's directions. When you are finished, your new profile is added to the list. Make sure the check box next to it is selected and click Ok to return to SolidWorks.

Making a new part with Xpresso

Now that Xpresso is installed and configured, you are ready to start designing with Xpresso. This step-by-step guide will help you make your first part.

Configure the command list

The command list shows you all the commands that Xpresso recognizes, or only the ones that you currently have turned on. You can also sort by what commands are currently active, meaning that you can currently use them. Many of the commands in SolidWorks are context sensitive. This means, for example, that you can't use the line command unless you are inside of a sketch. Xpresso only listens for the commands which are in context and you have turned on.

TIP: You can suppress commands. Xpresso will not listen for suppressed commands. You can suppress and unsuppress commands by right-clicking on the command and selecting Suppress or Unsuppress.

TIP: You can also hide a command. A hidden command will act normally, but will not be shown in the command list. You can hide and unhide commands by right-clicking on the command and selecting Hide or Unhide.

Each command can be edited further by double-clicking it to open the Xpresso Command Editor.



The Xpresso Command Editor lists several options for each command. The first is the spoken word or phrase. This is what Xpresso listens for. You can change this to anything you want, however we recommend keeping it short (2 words) and descriptive.

The command hint shows a brief description of what the command does.

Finally, you have the Hide and Suppress check boxes.

When you are done editing a command click OK to save your changes.

Adjusting the recognition settings

Xpresso provides additional control over the recognition settings so you get the best results for your voice. For most people the default settings will work great. However, if you are not happy with the results of the recognition, you can manually change the settings. To change the settings open the Speech Properties page using the Xpresso, Voice Training



Next select the Recognition Profile you want to modify and click the Settings.



There are two sliders which adjust the sensitivity and response time of the profile. These can be manually changed to match the desired recognition.

The background adaption check box is checked by default. We recommend leaving this turned on for the best result.

Adjusting the microphone

You may want to adjust the microphone any time the ambient noise changes dramatically, you change microphones, or you are simply not getting the best results from your recognition.

To adjust the microphone open the Speech Properties page by clicking Xpresso, Voice Training



Next click the Configure Microphone. Follow the wizard and when you're finished click OK.

You are now ready to start using Xpresso.

For technical assistance with Xpresso Contact Us