Ever wondered if you could use multiple balloon shapes on your drawing.  Of course you can!  For example, I often use our flag balloon symbol with notes and our hexagon symbol for the dimensionals.  To do so start out with choosing the flag for your first balloon shape via the Balloon Properties dialog.  You can get there by right-clicking on your balloon or going to the menu item Drawing / Balloon Properties.  After you choose the shape and size, be sure to Set Default.

When you are ready to use another balloon shape, drop it first, then repeat the procedure but choose a different shape and size this time.  You might need to experiment with the shapes and sizes to get it to look right.  But it doesn’t matter as DISCUS is very forgiving!!  You can make mistakes and changes and easily recover from them.  Try that with a paper drawing, T-Square, Red Pen and shapes template!!

Did you know that when you download DISCUS: http://www.discussoftware.com/try-buy/downloads.html and then request an evaluation license, you will have the entire FAI suite: Basic, OCR and Results to use on your own drawings for 15 days. You can get real FAI work done and evaluate the software.

If you have the need to add, change or remove the default terms in the Characteristic Types drop down, let us know.  We have a free tool called the 3C editor that will allow one to create and manage your own terms.  This tool is only available to current customers with a valid support contract in place.

In order to get the 3C editor, you are required to attend a 1/2 hour – 45 minute training session to learn the ins and outs of the tool.  We do schedule these sessions periodically.  If you do have a need for the editor, send a request to support@discussoftware.com and ask about it.

If you have an interest in really understanding how to accelerate your processes related to Manufacturing and Quality Engineering, check our new whitepaper section on the DISCUS site.  There are currently two papers – one related to integrating FAI with Process Planning, the other discusses the past, present and future of FAI and Quality Planning.  Folks, we really know this stuff – check it out if you have time.

Ever wonder what the DISCUS Trial does for you?  The DISCUS Trial is an unlimited use version but only on the sample built-in drawing, spec and balloon data.  You can use most of all of the features in the DISCUS – export to ballooned PDF and excel for example – but you can’t save your data.  We recommend that you use the trial version to get comfortable with DISCUS;  then request the free 15-day Evaluation version.  This is the full-fledged product where you can use your own drawings and specs and comes in two flavors – First Article Inspection or Inspection Planning.

Be on the lookout for our webinars that focus FAI or Inspection Planning – check here often.

If you ever have a need for specific DISCUS training for your users, try either our online or onsite training.  The online training consists of one on one training between your end users and one of our support staff.  We use GOTO meeting for both the web and teleconference portion.  Your users can attend these sessions in a group, say a conference room or from the comfort of their desks.  This training is available in two hour blocks for $200.  You can split up the training anyway you see fit – a hour in the beginning and then an hour later on.

The onsite training is where one of our support staff does the training in your facility.  The cost is $1,200 per day plus expenses.  You can have up to 10 people in this training session at one time.