The current version NX8 of Siemens PLM Software provides new functions and powerful tools for design, simulation and production. Consistent application and integration in daily design processes is not so trivial. Marcel Schmid uses vivid examples and procedures to show how new and existing functions can be used and their advantages exploited. His concern and goal with these books is to help the user to familiarize himself with the complex software as quickly as possible.
How did you come up with the idea to write a book about this topic?
Marcel Schmid: The idea of writing a book on NX goes back to my time as a lecturer at the ETH Zurich in 2003, when there were already scripts for the students' CAD training. These were temporarily available on the Internet. This was the reason why Mr. Schlembach from the publishing house contacted me, if there was any interest to prepare and publish the scripts as a book. This is how the first book on Unigraphics NX was written.
How long does it take to adapt a book to the new version?
Marcel Schmid: Approx. 200 hours (for the revision from NX 6 to NX 8).
What's the hardest part?
Marcel Schmid: It is most difficult to formulate and visualize the contents in such a way that they are easy to understand.
Are you supported by someone?
Marcel Schmid: I am particularly supported by Mr Schlembach, who reads the manuscript carefully and makes the necessary linguistic corrections. For us Swiss people, High German is a "foreign language" after all. I get professional support from my network of trainers and consultants. It is also worth mentioning that various Siemens partners support the book project via their advertising pages.
What are the main focuses in the current version?
Marcel Schmid: The focus is on modelling of individual parts including synchronous construction, assemblies and drawing derivation. The topic of large assemblies and free-form surfaces had to be omitted for reasons of time. The topic of "large assemblies" is well documented in the NX Help and there is already literature on NX 8 freeform surfaces on the market.
Why NX?
Marcel Schmid: NX because I do intensive training and consulting myself. And because I personally love NX. Furthermore, when the first book of my knowledge for the German-speaking countries was published, there was no literature on NX.
Do you receive feedback on your work?
Marcel Schmid: I receive little feedback. If then by the publisher directly or occasionally from readers who contact me by e-mail and, of course, from discussions with existing customers.
Does the publication affect your daily business?
Marcel Schmid: That is difficult to answer. The direct effects are rather small. Projects based on the book rarely arise. The book is mainly used as a reference book. In addition to the basic CAD topics described in the book, I also deal with special topics such as freeform surfaces, mold design and kinematics.
Is there a difference between German and Swiss customers or the market?
Marcel Schmid: In Switzerland, SMEs dominate the market, while Germany is dominated by large corporations. The customers hardly differ. The level of education is very high in both countries. The workload tends to increase. There is less and less time available. From a personal point of view, the Germans are more direct and we Swiss are more diplomatic in our dealings with each other. The coffee tastes better in Switzerland, but the Germans brew better beer.
Where do you want to go?
Marcel Schmid: According to the publisher, the book will be published at shorter intervals in the future. This is not easy to reconcile with the personal framework conditions. I am still looking for a solution to this problem.
About the author
Marcel Schmid is Managing Director of CAx GmbH in Wolfhausen, Switzerland. He has been working as a trainer and consultant for many years and has been a lecturer at ETH Zurich for more than 10 years. In 2003 he published his first book in 3D CAD on "CAD with Unigraphics NX". This was followed in 2005 by the book on NX4 and 2008 on NX5 and NX6, published by J.Schlembach Fachverlag.
The literature on the interview:
Marcel Schmid – CAD mit NX 8 [Paperback]
ISBN-10: 3-935340-72-9
Price: 49,90 EUR | 64,90 CHF
