[FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Posted on the FRC Blog, 12/20/16: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotic...chers-software

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I'm so happy that they are releasing these PDVs early. We can order these in the next few days and get them all before build season starts or in the first couple of weeks. In the past we wouldn't get some things quickly enough to actually use them until the next season.

Thanks FIRST.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

We're considering switching to Solidworks this year as one of the classes in the school has started using it as well. I don't see an obvious link on the solidworks page to apply for team software -- any teams that have done it, is that the "apply for sponsorship" link?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Solidworks has a link for to apply for licenses and more information at solidworks.com/first. You should receive an email with license information in around a week.

You can apply year round, so we typically renew in the summer.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Right.... There's an "apply for sponsorship" link at that address, but it's not clear if that's for software, or grant money, or something else. I just didn't want to go through a grant application mistakenly thinking it's for software.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Solidworks treats their software license donation as a sponsorship, and would like to be put on your team website/shirts/etc.

Last year we received a 50 seat license. That's worth a lot o' $$$

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Gotcha... makes sense at that level. Thanks for the info!

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

No VexPro motor controller voucher this year? :(

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Very happy to see Automation Direct return with a PDV, and very interesting to see MasterCAM involved. This is a very expensive software.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Kinda banking on having a discount on the American Button Machines button maker, as we just found several hundred button kits for a size we don't have a button maker for, but all well.

I think having the four controllers in FIRST Choice replaced that.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I tend to agree with Nick on this one.
We received 2 Talon SRX's and 4 Victor SP's via FIRST Choice.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

We got a couple, but no Talons :( I don't think that having them in the FIRST Choice by lottery is quite the same as having a voucher that has more or less guaranteed redemption value.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I agree. Having a voucher is also better for teams who either miss the FC deadline or need control system components more than motor controllers.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Does the KoP include more product keys for the NI Software? Last year my team ran into the problem where we lost our 2014 product key for DS, so we had to contact NI to retrieve it. When we used that key it said it was the last usage available for that key (3 of 3 I believe). This year we have a new driver station, so will a new key come with the KoP? If not, how to we go about getting the software?