Getting Started with Xpresso Adjusting your Microphone Create a Voice Profile Recognition Adjustments Start Listening Stop Listening What Can I Say Using Your Navigation Device Tutorial Part Updates for Xpresso

Getting Started with Xpresso

Welcome to Xpresso. The premier speech recognition software for SolidWorks. You are about to start designing with your voice. This page will help you get started quickly and easily. To get the best experience using Xpresso possible, it is important to configure Xpresso for you.

To begin using Xpresso start SolidWorks 2010 and check that in the bottom right corner it says Loading Xpresso.

When Xpresso is finished loading it will read Xpresso is not listening.

If Xpresso doesn't automatically load, see Turning Xpresso On.

Adjusting your Microphone

Once Xpresso has loaded it is important, and often necessary, to adjust the microphone for ambient noise. This can be done through the Xpresso Task Pane. To show the Xpresso Task Pane, click on the Xpresso Icon on the right side of the SolidWorks screen. Then select the Speech tab.

Click Microphone setup and follow the simple wizard to configure your microphone for the best results. Remember that you should run the wizard with the microphone in the position you plan to use it and speak in the same volume as when you will use the software. For more information, see Adjusting The Microphone Volume.

Create a Voice Profile

After your microphone is adjusted, you need to create a Recognition Profile of your voice. Each person who uses Xpresso will need a profile. The voice recognition uses this profile to identify your unique voice. It takes about 10 minutes to make a Recognition Profile. In the Speech tab of the Task Pane click Voice Training and follow the simple wizard to create your profile.

Recognition Adjustments

The last step before you begin speaking is to adjust the Recognition confidence. We recommend initially placing the slider in the center. As you use Xpresso, adjust the settings for the most accurate command recognition. For more information on adjusting these settings, see Recognition Adjustments.

Start Listening

Xpresso is running, but not yet listening for commands and the status bar will display Xpresso is not listening. To start Xpresso tell Xpresso to "start listening". This can be done several ways.

• Say "Start Listening" or "Start"
• Click Xpresso > Toggle Listening
• Or open the Options Tab of the Task Pane and place a check mark next to the word "Listen".

This function can also be added to buttons on your 3D Navigator.

Now that Xpresso is listening for commands try saying "New Part". This will open a new part in SolidWorks®.

Next try saying "Extrude", or "Revolve".

Some other common commands are:

• Line
• Rectangle
• Circle
• Cut Extrude
• Front, Back, Right, Left, Top and Bottom
• Iso or Isometric and Trimetric
• Xpresso can recognize over 600 commands. Start with the commands you use most frequently then start trying new commands.

To see the full list of commands Xpresso can recognize take a look at the Commands Section

To get started, try the Xpresso 2010 Tutorial.

Stop Listening

Just like you don't want to accidentally hit the keys on your keyboard, you should avoid having Xpresso listening for commands when you're not using the program. Telling Xpresso to stop listening can be done several ways.

• Say "Stop Listening" or "Stop"
• Clicking Xpresso > Toggle Listening
• Or open the Options Tab of the Task Pane and remove the check mark next to the word "Listen".

This function can also be added to buttons on your 3D Navigator.

When Xpesso is "Not listening" Xpresso will not listen for commands, with the exception of the "Start Listening" command. If you plan to leave Xpresso off for a long period of time you should use the Suspend Listening option. For more information see Suspended Listening.

What Can I Say

Xpresso recognizes over 600 SolidWorks® commands. These commands are categorized to help you find the command you are looking for. For more information about the command lists in Xpresso see the Xpresso 2010 Commands List.

To get started, try the Xpresso 2010 Tutorial.

Using Your Navigation Device

3D Navigators
Xpresso releases the power of your 3D navigation device. By keeping your hand positioned on the navigator your model can at any moment be placed in the most revealing orientation. In addition, your navigator can be used as an external listen switch, greatly simplifying the listen/stop listen action.

There are several manufacturers of 3D navigation devices, but for example purposes the 3DConnexion navigator will be used.

To map the buttons on your navigation device choose the Button Maping window from the Tool bar.

In the left view, scroll down to locate the Xpresso Menu item. Double clicking it reveals the same menu options available from the SolidWorks® main menu. Drag Toggle the listening action on to the Navigator button of your choice. Additionally it is a good idea to set another button to the control key to simplify the geometry selection process.

This same button mapping function must be done for part, assembly and drawing documents

Tutorial Part

Tutorial Part - Ready to give Xpresso a try? Try building... You can follow the Xpresso 2010 Tutorial step by step.

Updates for Xpresso

For the most up to date information about this and other version of Xpresso visit
http://xpressosoft.com/support/