Airfoil Suitability
Capability: With VisualFoil 5, users can quickly determine the suitability of airfoil cross-section shapes for incorporation in wings, spoilers, struts, rudders, and other aerodynamic or support structures. Users can select efficient shapes during the conceptual design stage of the project. The application shares the same interface as the developer’s VisualFoil Plus, and includes a built-in airfoil modification tool and the new custom airfoil editor that reads DXF files. The software uses linear-strength vortex-panel analysis routines and computes lift, profile drag, and moment coefficient for isolated airfoil sections. Its application produces contour plots of pressure coefficient and streamlines and includes a large library of built-in airfoils. In addition, users can enter custom airfoils and can analyze and modify existing airfoil shapes.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95, 2000, or XP.
Developer: HaHanley Innovations, P.O. Box 831514, Ocala, FL 34483-1514; (352) 687-4466; sales@hanleyinnovations.com.
Cost: $295.
Click here to obtain information on this product
See CAD Files
Capability: With Autodesk Inventor View 2009, users can share Autodesk Inventor data with non-Autodesk Inventor users. The distributable viewer offers viewing and printing of parts, assemblies, and drawings.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, NC, or Vista.
Developer: Autodesk Inc., 111 McInnis Pkwy., San Rafael, CA 94903; (415) 507-5000; fax (415) 507-5100; http://usa.autodesk.com.
Cost: Free.
Click here to obtain information on this product
How to Switch
Capability: The self-paced, multimedia training course titled 2008 AutoCAD to SolidWorks instructs users on how to transition from one CAD program to the other. The course shows users how to bring their existing DXF and DWG files into SolidWorks 3-D parts, assemblies, and 2-D drawings. The course also shows new users how to create parts, assemblies, and drawings from scratch in SolidWorks.
Hardware: PC running Microsoft Windows XP or Vista.
Developers: SolidProfessor, 121 Broadway, Ste. 557, San Diego, CA; 92101; (866) 966-6977; (619) 342-4849; www.solidprofessor.com.
Cost: $69.99.
Click here to obtain information on this product
CAD Light in 3-D
Capability: The third-party application Toolbox LT 2009 extends the design and drafting capabilities of Autodesk’s AutoCAD LT computer-aided design software. The application adds 3-D modeling and image management to AutoCAD LT. With it, engineers can design in 3-D with solids and surface modeling, generate realistic shaded renders, and import and manipulate graphic images. It also provides tools to create and manage drawing objects.
Hardware: PC running AutoCAD LT 2000 to 2009.
Developer: GlobalCAD Consultants Ltd., Elm House, Shackleford Rd., Elstead, Surrey, GU8 6LB United Kingdom; (44-1252) 703939; www.globalcad.com.
Cost: $395 for a single license.
Click here to obtain information on this product
Multilingual Computation
Capability: Maple 12 is now available in Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Chinese, and Japanese versions. The application combines a mathematical computation engine and user interface to capture a user’s technical knowledge in an electronic form that integrates calculations, explanatory text and math, graphics, images, and sound. The upgraded calculation software now features a direct connection with many CAD systems, such as SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor.
Platform: PC running the Windows, Unix, Linux, or Macintosh OS X platform.
Developer: Maplesoft, 615 Kumpf Dr., Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 1K8 Canada; (519) 747-2373; fax (519) 747-5284.
Cost: $1,895.
Click here to obtain information on this product
Remote Rendering
Capability: Rendercore is a high-speed, remotely hosted rendering service. Although the software applications the company hosts and provides to users remotely are used mainly by digital artists in the game, film, and television industries, they’re also useful for engineers looking to model and animate projects. For example, the application XSI is used for 3-D modeling, animating, and rendering. To render using the software, users must install RenMan Client, from the same developer.
Platform: PC running Windows 2000 or XP.
Developer: Rendercore, 650 S. Grand Ave., No. 501, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2349; (213) 627-3149; fax (213) 623-3149; www.rendercore.com.
Cost: XSI, 65 cents per CPU hour; Ren-Man Client, 49 cents per CPU hour.
Click here to obtain information on this product | 
