UGS Community
UGS Community was owned by ConnectPress, Lp. For a number of years this was the UGS Community's website.
Content is from the site's 2006 -2009 archived pages when ConnectPress decided to add their brand to the UGS Community's logo.
The current website for ConnectPress is found at www.connectpress.com/.
Since 1991 over 1,000,000 design and engineering professionals have trusted ConnectPress to bring them news and insights about the tools they use daily to perform their work.
Join your colleagues in a ConnectPress Community today by going to their current website.
ConnectPress, Lp.
ConnectPress, Ltd.
242 S. Washington Blvd., #144
Sarasota FL 34236 USA
+1 505 474 5000
At ConnectPress we consider our mission to be bringing together people, interests and markets. By creating an online “space” for Members to inform themselves, interact, and seek out people with similar interests and needs, ConnectPress constantly draws new Members and keeps sustaining Members coming back. Our Communities serve business needs by connecting Members with the products and services they need to be successful.
For 15 years, ConnectPress has published independent, focused editorial coverage of the latest news and products for Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor, UGS, and MicroStation users.
The UGS Community contains popular features on new developments in UGS and its associated modules, case studies on companies using Pro/E, tips and tricks, and columns on workplace issues and UGS use around the world. The UGS Community is designed to bring together users and advertisers to exchange valuable information needed to make users' jobs easier and more rewarding. Article submissions, conference announcements, and news releases are welcome.
We encourage Members to participate in the Community by answering other Members’ questions, posting images you have created, replying to survey questions, and responding to Sponsoring Members’ promotions, course listings, and employment notices.
Finally, we do our best to bring you valuable information each and every week, and we appreciate your feedback on our efforts. Please look under “Features” or “News” above for a Feedback link. Thank you for being a Member of the UGS Community.
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"As a software developer designing systems for engineering firms, UGSCommunity.com has become an indispensable part of my daily routine. The depth of technical insights and the breadth of topics covered are incredibly valuable. Reading about new technological advances and receiving advanced tips from experienced contributors has significantly impacted my work. EJ Rolph's article on Google penalties was particularly enlightening; it was my first introduction to the concept of SEO consequences for gaming search results. This knowledge has not only broadened my understanding but also allowed me to better advise my clients on navigating Google's guidelines. The community's dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering a space for professional growth is truly admirable. I'm grateful for the wealth of information and the sense of community UGSCommunity.com provides. Keep up the excellent work; your efforts make a real difference in the professional lives of many." Rudy DiGenarro
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"Dan Raker is an impressive guy with some incredible credentials including being a certified Shadow Work® coach. That last credential caught my eye since I have been looking for a change of direction in my life. Under lock down after lockdown here in Melbourne Australia for the past 18 months (2020-2021) due to the Covid pandemic has really gotten to me. Playing pokies online has gotten out of hand. Well, an article I recently read online said that real-time data published by the credit bureau and the analytics firm AlphaBeta reveals that consumer spending on gambling in Australia has increased by a factor of 2.84, or almost 300%, during the COVID-19 lockdowns currently gripping the country’s two most populous states, NSW and Victoria. Melbourne is the capital of Victoria. I am part of that statistic, that's for sure. There really isn’t anywhere else to blow your cash in Sydney and Melbourne if you want a quick entertainment hit. Hey, tell me about it. Plus, working at home is killing me. My boss who has benefited from Shadow Work® Coaching suggested I look into it. Shadow Work Coaching is suppose to create a profound shift in behavior, spirit, attitude and emotional well-being. Boy do I need that. It is a six-step process that begins with your goals such as what you want to accomplish relative to your issues and ends with strategies for how to integrate what you’ve learned into your life. In between these two bookends lies a path of deep inquiry, experimentation and emotional catharsis. There is even a Shadow Work® Coach right here in Melbourne, Dena Lester. I wonder if my boss would be willing to pay for a coach. Perhaps he needs a refresher and we could go together or maybe since his father is the owner of the business, he could suggest that the whole company could benefit from Shadow Work® and their coaching, tools and training. I'm psyched." Steven Jones Sr.
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About Community
"A successful community serves a clear purpose in the lives of its members, and also meets the fundamental goals of its owners."
– Community-Building on the Web
by Amy Jo Kim
At ConnectPress we believe in community. Our mission is three-fold:
First – by living and studying community, we make a conscious effort to understand and share what makes a community tick.
Second – at ConnectPress we strive to build and share the best tools we can to facilitate community development and enjoyment on the web.
Third – at ConnectPress we either host online communities or offer the tools we use to others so they may host their own communities.
Latest Tips & Tricks
Top 10 Common Mistakes Rapid Prototyping
By Quickparts Get solutions to common rapid prototyping design mistakes.
HP Multi-Core Workstations Enhance UGS NX User Productivity
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard Take advantage of multi-core processing in this tip.
HP Resource Collector
By Rick Hohmann, Hewlett-Packard Company Take advantage of the HP Resource Collector in this tip from Hewlett-Packard.
Maximize NX and Teamcenter Visualization Graphics
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard See how to get the most from Teamcenter and NX's graphical capabilities in this tip from Hewlett-Packard.
Iterative Solver
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard Take advantage of NASTRAN's Iterative Solver.
Visual Editor
By Tony Metz Take advantage of powerful NX modeling tools.
HP Helps with I-DEAS Large Memory Configuration
Submitted by HP Find out how I-DEAS users can extend memory usage with HP's Performance Tuning Framework.
HP Tip for 2007 Daylight Saving Time Extension
Submitted by HP In 2007 DST will be extended by four weeks. HP offers updates for UGS users to ensure time accuracy.
Using ug_inspect
By Tony Metz, Metz, LLC This article describes how to use the basic commands of the ug_inspect utility. Get all the useful tips from consultant Tony Metz.
No more 8GB memory limit in NX Nastran
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard Hewlett-Packard offers this helpful tip on how to expand your memory use in Nastran.
Improve Nastran Performance
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard Enhance Performance and Efficiency With This Handy Tip!
Build Templates in Adobe 3D the Easy Way
Submitted by Lars Olson Here's a handy tip to help you build a custom template in Adobe 3D, save yourself time and aggravation and check it out!
Take Advantage of Dual Processing!
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard Dual-Processors can enhance your UGS experience see how!
HP Linux Assistant for NX
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard Using UGS in Linux can save you money and improve your system’s performance. HP offers this handy tip to make things easier for you!
Improve Your Graphics Performance!
Submitted by Pamela Taylor For customers that have no problems with their current driver you should consider moving to the latest certified driver for performance improvements.
Get the Most Processing Speed from your Mobile Workstation
Submitted by Hewlett-Packard Learn how to maximize the processing speed of your mobile workstation.
Alleviating PTF, FUD, PDQ.
By Rick Hohmann, Hewlett-Packard Company Fear not this handy workstation system tool HP's Rick Hohmann says as he attempts to dispel myths about HP's Performance Tuning Framework.
Get to Know Your Workstation a Little Better.
By Rick Homan of Hewlett-Packard Want to better know what's happening inside that workstation? Check out this Performance Tuning Framework tip from HP.
HP Offers Tips on Boosting Memory
Submitted by HP More customers are running into a problem that CAD users ran into in the days of 16-bit processors: Reaching the limits of an old architecture.
NX Nastran:Use Faster I/O System to get More Performance
By Pari Rajaram Hot Tip for FEA analysis helps reveal weaknesses in 3-D models. Remember: Speed = Success
HP Helps You Select the Right Graphics Driver
By Rick Hohmann With HP personal workstations help in finding the right graphics driver is just a keystroke away.
If it Ain't Broke Doesn't Mean it Don't Need an Upgrade
By Keith Guerin Performance monitoring and system management can determine an older system's needs to help keep it humming right along.
NX Log Analyzer Hits the Spot
By Pam Taylor Hot Tip from HP: This Log Analyzer reports important information that can be helpful when diagnosing NX problems or inspecting customize settings.
Introduction to NX3: Base Support Tutorial
By Louis Gary Lamit Trainer and author Louis Gary Lamit offers this informative tutorial, complete with screen shots and concise directions. A helpful introduction to NX3.
Best Practices in Data Translation
Todd Reade, President, TransMagic, Inc. Here are some tips, courtesy of TransMagic's Todd Reade, for addressing common CAD data translation problems.
Q & A
Submit Questions | Submit Answers
Q1-080610: Hardware requirement for TCE 2007
Can any one suggest what could be the System (HW) architecture required to implement TCE 2007 for approximately 100 users concurrent.
Q1-080606: Communication Failure in TCE 9.1.2
We are running TCE 9.1.2 (DB-oracle in HP-UX, Windows 2003 for Application server).
Q1-080530: Tool File Extraction
This is in reference to the Ideas tool file extraction. The scenario is that Team center is storing ideas file in its database.
Q2-080530: Assembly Documentation
How are the users in the community handling the documentation of very large assemblies?
Q3-080530: Importing SolidWorks to Solid Edge
I have a file from a customer that is a SolidWorks assembly file. I can easily open it in our Solid Edge but it comes in with zero geometry.
Q1-080516: Applying Loads in NX5 (3 ans)
How do I create a distributed loads based upon length (span across) in NX5?
Q2-080516: Customer Defaults in NX5
How can I load a changed Customer Default setting by itself when UGS is started?
Q1-080502: Manufacturing in NX4 (1 ans)
How can I create the NC file in UGS manufacturing for different types of machines show me the process and way to find it?
Q1-080425: Printing in NX (2 ans)
How can I fix an SDI plotting error?
Q2-080425: Splines and Studio Surfaces in NX3 (1 ans)
I am using the pole splines in NX3 with NXN Studio Surfaces.
Q1-080422: Thermal Analysis in NX11
What is the correct method for setting a material heat transfer coefficient value for a thermal analysis model in NX11?
Q2-080422: Knowledge Fusion in NX4 (1 ans)
Does any one know the format for the curve extract function in Knowledge Fusion?
Q1-080418: Drafting Views in NX2 (2 ans)
How do I place a shaded view of a model on a drawing sheet in NX2?
Q2-080418: Teamcenter Client Setup (1 ans)
Can we access Teamcenter database from Customer? If so, what are the required things at the client side ?
Q3-080418: Motion Simulation in NX4
How do you export a video file (mpeg, avi) from motion simulation environment in NX4?
Q1-080416: Motion Simulation of a Spring in NX4
I know that it is possible to model a representation of a spring in motion simulator, but I was wondering if it is possible to actually show a spring being compressed in a simulation.
Q1-080408: Knurled Surface in NX4
How does one apply a knurled surface in NX4?
News
NVision Expands Contract to Meet High Demand
NVision, Inc. is expanding its Contract Service …
3Dconnexion 3D Mice Now Supported by Nemetschek
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Quadra Solutions Wins CADSTAR European Reseller
Zuken’s desktop electronics design solution CADSTAR had …
Stralfors Buys Four Xerox Continuous Feed Systems
Xerox Corporation announced that Strålfors, has acquired …
The Right Move: Siemens PLM Achieves Strong First-Year Gains
Siemens’ $3.5-billion acquisition of UGS in May …
Z Corporation ZPrinter 450 2007 Product of the Year
Z Corporation ZPrinter 450 2007 Product of …
Xerox Turns a Deeper Shade of Green at Drupa
Xerox’s 3,500 square meter stand at drupa …
Two Full Color Production Printing Systems
Océ VarioStream 9240 and Océ ColorStream 10000 …
Zuken Boosts Presence in Defense Market Dealing with MBDA
Zuken’s customer base within the electronics market …
SAP Pinnacle Award for Thought-Leadership Around Enterprise
Global Partner Award Recognizes SAP Partners that …
International Gas Springs, Adds 25-30% New Business as a Res
International Gas Springs (IGS) has reported spectacular …
Laser-Sintering Equipment by Northwest UAV Propulsion System
Laser-sintered plastic parts that Northwest UAV Propulsion …
Microspot Releases 3D Toolbox for Apple Macintosh Computers.
Microspot Ltd.,announced the release of Microspot 3D …
LEDAS Published First Ever PLM Encyclopedia
LEDAS, presented the first edition of «The …
Symmetry Solutions Adds 3D Printing
Symmetry Solutions, announced it has become an …
GKS Improving 3D Laser Scanning Services in its Minnesota Of
GKS Inspection Services, is expanding the capabilities …
Peter Robison, to Keynote at PLM Road Map 2008
CPDA announces that Peter Robison, will join …
Océ Writes the Book on Digital Printing
Océ announced that it will produce a …
Catalog Data Solutions CAD Downloads by Tompkins Industries
Catalog Data Solutions announced that Tompkins Industries …
Elysium Inc. Releases CADdoctor EX3.0 for Product Data Trans
Elysium Inc. announced the release of CAD …
JETCAM Announces AutoPOL Partnership
Both companies will work together to provide …
Boothroyd Dewhurst DFMA Helps Slash Warranty Costs and Boost
Five-year implementation of DFMA software by Hypertherm …
NVIDIA Annonces Eileen Collins to Speak at NVISION 08
NVIDIA announced that Commander Eileen Collins, former …
CCE Upgrades EnSuite
CCE has announced that EnSuite Version 2 …
PLMjobs.com Announces Launch
Nooey Ltd has announced the launch of …
Latest Case Studies
Gearing for Growth
By PARTsolutions How PARTsolutions helped Rockwell Automation provide online parts in native data.
Propel Analysis Time
By Geometric Limited Chrysler powertrain department speeds up time it takes to measure thick and thin wall conditions.
Catalog Data Solutions Case Study: J.W. Winco
By Catalog Data Solutions Read about the key to turning manufacturing website browsers into customers.
3D Printing Metal Parts
By MIT MIT's cutting-edge technology assist ExtrudeHone.
FDM Used in Custom Design
By Materialise Read how this process created a sleek sports car.
Accelerating Architectural Model Development
By Z Corporation Learn how MIT utilized a Z Corporation 3D printer to construct architectural models and offer a new course on digital fabrication in this case study.
Dimension 3D Printer Powers Freedom of Design
By Dimension 3D Printing Find out how choosing a Dimension 3D printer completely changed product development cycles for Black & Decker in this case study.
Advanced, Yet Uncomplicated
Solutions convince equipment company to go 3D--improves speed by 75 percent.
Empowered Engineering
By UGS PLM Solutions UGS Helps Widener Students Compete with Human-Powered Vehicle
Neptec and Dimension Bring Endeavour Home Safely
By Dimension 3D Printing Find out how Neptec helped NASA evaluate damage to a space shuttle's TPS system with the company's Laser Camera System and a Dimension 3D printer.
Submarine Certification from FEA
By Siemens/UGS Case study reveals how submarine receives certification from finite element model.
Airbus Evaluates Friction Stir Welding
By Dr. Paul Colegrove of Cranfield University, UK Dr. Paul Colegrove of Cranfield University, UK, reports on the benefits of FSW and the modeling conducted by Airbus using COMSOL Multiphysics.
University Brings PDEs to Life in Undergraduate Education
Submitted by K. K. Bhatia, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ An undergraduate heat transfer course uses COMSOL Multiphysics to help students design the cooling for a motorcycle engine block.
Solid Edge C'est Bon!
By UGS Read why French VAR calls SE the "complete solution."
Case Study: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Printed Courtesy of UGS Learn how Lockheed Martin turned to Teamcenter to deliver the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.
Radan Case Study: Body Builder Gains Strength from Radan
Reprinted Courtesy of Radan Learn how the company, Walter Alexander uses Radan products to design double decker vehicles.
Dyson Scours the Competition
By Dyson and UGS NX assists vacuum manufacturer with design for rapid prototyping.
Data Translation Special Report
By Goodrich Corporation and Translation Technologies, Inc. TTI Rescues Goodrich from Expensive Translation
Translation/Migration Special Report
By ITI TranscenData Learn How CADfix Solves Dana Corporation's Interoperability Issues
Giving the Opera a New Voice
Submitted by Protomold Protomold and Figaro Systems give patrons of the opera a new understanding of an age-old art form.
Reverse Engineering Returns
By Peter Dickin Peter Dickin explains why reverse engineering is making a comeback in this case study.
Boeing Adopts RapidTag
Submitted by Cortona3D Boeing takes advantage of the RapidTag toolbox in this case study.
Eclipse Aviation Soars with PLM Solutions
Submitted by UGS Airplane manufacturer designs and produces extremely affordable jet plane, thanks in part to PLM cost-cutting solutions.
Small Shop Achieves Success with Online PlanRoom
Submitted by IDEAL Scanners & Systems, Inc. This Online PlanRoom met all the criteria this reprographics shop needed for increased print submissions.
New Approaches to Collaboration
Submitted by Adobe Eliminate some common problems when sharing designs with clients. Find out what product this manufacturing company uses.
More Background On UGSCommunity.com
UGSCommunity.com was a prominent online platform at the intersection of engineering, design, and collaborative technology communities from the early 2000s through 2009. Owned and operated by ConnectPress, Lp., it became an invaluable resource for design and engineering professionals worldwide. The article below explores its detailed history, audience, editorial focus, technical offerings, cultural significance, reputation, and more.
The Origins and Ownership of UGSCommunity.com
UGSCommunity.com was conceived to fulfill a growing need within the design and engineering community for a centralized, authoritative source on UGS (later Siemens PLM Software) and related software ecosystems. The site was owned and meticulously managed by ConnectPress, Lp., a Sarasota, Florida-based media company founded in 1991. ConnectPress swiftly became recognized as a pioneer in creating specialized communication platforms, providing not only timely information but fostering genuine connections among more than one million design and engineering professionals.
This early vision was rooted in the belief that technical professionals required trusted peer-to-peer forums, beyond simply vendor marketing or documentation. As such, UGSCommunity.com anchored itself as a blend of industry news outlet, professional discussion group, and knowledge base dedicated to tools like UGS, ProENGINEER, CATIA, SolidWorks, and others.
ConnectPress: Legacy and Mission
ConnectPress, Ltd. had its headquarters at 242 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, FL, with a mission to bring together markets, technologies, and expertise within the technical and engineering world. Since its inception, ConnectPress’s stated goal was to keep communities engaged, informed, and supported. This mission not only shaped their print and digital editorial strategy but also directly influenced the core philosophy of UGSCommunity.com—to democratize knowledge and connect community members striving to master complex design tools and project challenges.
Historical Evolution: From UGS to Siemens
UGSCommunity.com’s content and focus closely paralleled the rapidly shifting landscape of engineering software in the 2000s. UGS, originally Unigraphics Solutions, was a leader in computer-aided design (CAD), manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management (PLM). After several mergers and acquisitions, UGS became a critical entity within the global engineering software ecosystem, eventually being acquired by Siemens AG. This transformation not only increased the scope of software discussed on the site but integrated new audiences as Siemens consolidated its leadership in the field.
Physical and Digital Reach
Although owned and operated in Florida, the reach of UGSCommunity.com was truly international. Members spanned North America, Europe, and Asia—drawn by the need for practical technical information across borders. The site’s digital-first approach enabled real-time discussion and information exchange, breaking barriers imposed by geography and time zone. The rapid, asynchronous conversations hosted on the platform became a hallmark of effective virtual professional communities during a period of significant global technological change.
Editorial Direction: Focused, Deep, and Useful
UGSCommunity.com’s editorial operation focused keenly on real-world utility. News articles covered everything from software version releases to security advisories and mergers in the sector. Feature stories often spotlighted how engineers and product designers used UGS tools in manufacturing, aerospace, construction, and the burgeoning 3D printing industry. The editorial team included seasoned engineers, contributors from academia, and recognized field experts who balanced in-depth technical content with accessible explanations for newcomers.
The site also maintained a regular pipeline of best-practices columns, Q&A write-ups, and “tips & tricks” features designed to help solve immediate workplace issues—ranging from CAD modeling glitches to integration challenges involving ERP and PLM systems.
Menu Structure and Technical Offerings
The website’s menu and structure were tailored for efficiency and discovery. Main content areas included:
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News: Curated industry bulletins, product launches, and trend analyses.
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Features: In-depth explorations of processes, enterprise case studies, and behind-the-scenes details of major project rollouts.
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Case Studies: Real-world success (and learning) stories from companies implementing UGS solutions, from aerospace to automotive sectors.
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Q&A Forums: Crowdsourced problem solving, troubleshooting, and peer support.
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Technical Tips: Workflow shortcuts, lesser-known software capabilities, and integration advice.
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Learning/Education: Tutorials, webinar listings, downloadable guides, and contact details for professional development courses.
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Job Boards: Opportunities, internships, and recruitment noticeboards specific to the engineering software profession.
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Community Columns: Industry commentary, opinion pieces, and editorial roundups reviewing sector-shaping issues.
Community: Membership and Audience
Membership in UGSCommunity.com was open, fostering a diverse audience that stretched from young engineers and university students to C-level executives, CTOs, and industry consultants. The site’s real-time forums and open Q&A attracted users who wanted timely help, but also those willing to share expertise generously. This approach cultivated industry goodwill and reputation, further validated by recurring testimonials and unsolicited recommendations from respected professionals.
Peer learning was central—the lived experiences of members often provided solutions and practical insights not found in software manuals. This crowd-sourced wisdom was particularly valuable for members in highly specialized or rapidly changing niches.
Proximity to Industry and Peer Platforms
Though focused on UGS and Siemens products, UGSCommunity.com didn’t exist in a vacuum. The platform frequently published comparative reviews and cross-community content involving ProENGINEER, CATIA, SolidWorks, Inventor, and MicroStation. The goal was not to exclude, but to enable multidisciplinary discussion as more engineering firms adopted hybrid or best-of-breed toolchains.
Events calendars, conference coverage, and live webinars further reinforced the site’s connection with external trade shows (such as COFES and PLM World) and other knowledge networks, helping members stay on the leading edge of developments.
Reputation and Popularity
The site’s popularity stemmed from two core drivers: the unmatched quality of its editorial content and the vibrancy of its member discussions. UGSCommunity.com was repeatedly cited in trade press and referenced at major industry events as a “go to” platform for learning, networking, and problem resolution. Its Q&A forums, described as “essential,” became the first stop for professionals tackling new software releases or troubleshooting unexpected bugs.
Industry partners and thought leaders recognized UGSCommunity.com as a bellwether of user sentiment and technical adoption trends; it often served as a grassroots gauge for what mattered to the technical community.
Awards and Press Coverage
Although the platform itself was not recorded as a recipient of specific industry awards—a common circumstance for trade and community portals during this period—its parent, ConnectPress, was viewed as an authoritative publisher. ConnectPress-sponsored communities, including UGSCommunity.com, received accolades from vendor partners and were routinely singled out during user conferences and trade shows. Its editorial content was often cited in PLM and CAD industry newsletters, academic references, and internal training programs by large manufacturing enterprises.
Industry analysts and trade media, in reporting on ConnectPress, noted the credibility and effectiveness of the portals they operated for various engineering software ecosystems. The depth and diversity of topics offered were seen as unique advantages, helping to grow the company’s influence.
Cultural and Social Significance
UGSCommunity.com had a notable impact on the culture of technical learning and knowledge sharing in engineering communities. Its timing coincided with several waves of innovation: the surge of product lifecycle management adoption, the rise of 3D modeling and rapid prototyping, offshoring of engineering talent, and a shift toward remote, global collaboration.
By providing a neutral, vendor-independent space for peer learning, it democratized access to expert guidance and practical technical support during a pivotal era. Members benefited from socially-driven, user-focused problem resolution, which helped individuals advance projects and careers more rapidly than traditional support channels often allowed.
The platform’s legacy is visible in later online technical communities, many of which adopted similar open Q&A models, editorial depth, and user-centric content curation.
Notable Examples and Technical Insights
To illustrate its utility, UGSCommunity.com regularly featured profiles such as:
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How Lockheed Martin engineers used NX (a key UGS product) to streamline development of the F-35 fighter jet, integrating simulation and manufacturing with CAD workflows.
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Case studies from MIT, detailing how 3D printing was adopted in architecture and design with the help of UGS software, influencing new trends in digital prototyping and manufacturing.
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Chrysler’s engineering division sharing its experience optimizing powertrain design and process management, creating efficiency gains and competitive business advantages.
These stories were often paired with detailed technical advice articles—ranging from customizing part libraries in UGS solutions, to troubleshooting interoperability with third-party CAM and PLM modules.
User Reviews and Community Feedback
User reviews, collected both informally in forums and as testimonials, made clear that members viewed UGSCommunity.com as an indispensable daily resource. The community’s blend of speed (with fast user responses), accuracy (driven by professional expertise), and collegiality set it apart from both vendor-run and general-purpose technical forums.
Participants especially valued:
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The depth of real-world examples and case studies
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The “Tips & Tricks” columns, which often covered undocumented software features and practical workflow shortcuts
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Editorial independence, which fostered candid discussion on product strengths, weaknesses, and wish lists
Press and Media Coverage
The site was frequently mentioned in trade media, whitepapers, and at technical summits as a reference resource. Industry publications cited UGSCommunity.com’s role in highlighting technology adoption trends and in surfacing “voice of the user” input that influenced both software roadmaps and industry practice.
UGSCommunity.com’s coverage of industry events, including perspectives from keynote speakers, session highlights, and direct community reporting, became a valued supplement to official event communications, opening up industry happenings to a much broader audience.
Ongoing Legacy and Influence
While UGSCommunity.com itself eventually merged its resources and audience into wider Siemens PLM online initiatives and successor communities, its influence remains clear. Today’s engineering online networks owe much to its early focus on peer-driven knowledge and codevelopment of best practices, as well as on openly documenting technical challenges and solutions.
Its alumni, both in audience and editorial roles, continued to shape engineering conversation across the web, from technical blogs and wikis to professional social platforms like LinkedIn and dedicated PLM user groups.
UGSCommunity.com was more than just a website—it was an institution in the world of engineering and design technology during an era of rapid transformation. Its influence can be found in the careers advanced, the problems solved, and the collaborative relationships formed through its forums and editorial content. Driven by ConnectPress’s vision, it bridged gaps between software users, vendors, and the broader engineering market, leaving a legacy of open, practical knowledge exchange and community support that endures in today’s professional networks.