CAD INTO ILLUSTRATIONS
Capability: The developer’s Deep Exploration 5.5 software now includes a perpetual licensing option. The Deep Exploration software transforms original 3-D data from its native file format into lightweight, optimized, graphical models. Users can then generate technical illustrations, add interactivity and animation, and create photorealistic images from the original 3-D model. Users can create and publish 2-D and 3-D product graphics and documents on their desktops. Available in two versions—the CAD Edition and the Standard Edition—the software also allows users to create 3-D manufacturing instructions. In addition to the perpetual license, customers can purchase the application as a one-year or a three-year stand-alone license. Network and floating license options are also available.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, NT, or XP.
Developer: Right Hemisphere, 2603 Camino Ramon, Suite 200, San Ramon, CA 94583; (925) 242-2242; fax (925) 242-2952; www.righthemisphere.com.
Cost: Standard edition: one-year fixed stand-alone, $595; three-year fixed stand-alone, $1,339; perpetual stand-alone, $1,488; CAD Edition: one-year fixed stand-alone, $1,995; three-year fixed stand-alone, $4,489; perpetual stand-alone, $4,988.
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STUDENT REFERENCE
Capability: The I Get It Academic Program enables colleges and universities to access engineering learning content. The program grants engineering students access to more than 90 extensive online courses and assessments at no cost. The program is a knowledge management application for engineering students who use Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, NX, CATIA, Pro/Engineer, Wildfire, and Teamcenter design software. Educators apply to access the program online by going to the developer’s home page, selecting the academic link at the top of the page, and following the associated links.
Hardware: PC running Windows XP or NT.
Developer: Tata Technologies iKS, 1675 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202; (303) 252-8485; www.myigetit.com.
Cost: Free.
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WIDGET ON THE JOB
Capability: Programs from SolidWorks labs, the research and development arm of the CAD developer, allow the CAD program’s users to step behind the curtain and play with not-yet-released technologies and to test-drive software prototypes. For instance, with the downloadable Drawing Tube widget, engineers can manage the content of their SolidWorks Drawings Now and Blueprint Now features from their desktops. They drag drawing files onto this widget to upload them to their accounts. From there, they can share files with others, edit in a Web browser, and delete when cleaning house.
Hardware: PC running SolidWorks and the Yahoo Widget Engine.
Developer: SolidWorks Corp., 300 Baker Ave., Concord, MA 01742; (978) 371-5011; www.solidworks.com.
Cost: Free.
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LINETYPE ADDITIONS
Capability: AutoLine 2009 Linetype Manager adds more than 100 linetypes to the CAD programs AutoCAD from Autodesk and Autodsys from AcceliCAD. The application includes a function to manage linetypes and an interface to modify them. Users can draw parallel lines of variable widths and can control the width of a line and the text placed in the line. Also included in the package are 100 customizable linetypes. The update features significantly smaller file sizes compared to previous versions, according to the developer. It also allows blocks in linetypes instead of shapes and permits any number of parallel lines.
Hardware: PC running Autodesk or Autodsys.
Developer: Autodsys Inc., 292 N.W. Walnut Ave., Dundee, OR 97115; (503) 487-6051; fax (503) 487-6052; www.autodsys.com.
Cost: $99.
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DRAFTING IN 2-D
Capability: Solid Edge 2D Drafting includes drawing layout, diagramming, and dimensioning. It features a built-in command finder so users don’t have to look up AutoCAD-equivalent commands. It also includes import wizards and matched fonts and color schemes, and is compliant with ISO, ANSI, BSI, DIN, JIS, and UNI standards. Also included is the Solid Edge viewer.
Hardware: PC running Windows XP or Vista.
Developer: Siemens PLM Software, 5800 Granite Pkwy., Suite 600, Plano, TX 75024; (972) 987-3000; www.plm.automation.siemens.com.
Cost: Free.
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