I used smart fasteners for the first time I was not impressed.

Maybe I’m doing something wrong.

After inserting more than 50 groups in the model, it took longer to do anything (the wheel kept spinning).

Other than slowing the model down I found it hard to find the group that the screw was in.

I had to move the pointer up and down the group list to find the screw.

Touching it in the assembly would not open the group.

All most every time I had to set the screw length.

If I was using a model from a step file (a down loaded purchased item) the screw would mate to the mounting detail.

More time spent re-mating each screw to the step file model.

Than when I added a washer or nut to the stack I was using, if it was the step file model, the washer would mate to the mounting detail and I would have to fix them again.

I don’t like the fact that when starting the smart fastener command you don’t get to choose which type of screw you want to use.

I had to change the type after it was inserted, more time wasted especially if it was the step file model.

Also adding the description for the stock list was timing consuming.

I tried inserting from design library, but the smart mate reference wound not mate, the screw would just drop in the assembly model and no repeat option that I saw.

If I could not use linear or circular pattern it was back to one screw at a time very time consuming.

As I said this is the first time I have used them to this extense, I have spread sheet driven fasteners that I have been using other that not detecting the tap size they work great.

I finally ran across a company that has to have solidworks fasteners.

One final thing it is not the computer it has never been slowed down by any other model no matter the size.

I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thanks

Bob