MANAGING DATA
Capability: DIAdem 11 is used to manage, analyze, and report on information collected during data acquisition or generated during simulations. The upgrade adds sensor data mapping for 3-D CAD models to simplify the visualization of high-channel-count systems. It also streamlines large-group test management with automatic conversion and scaling of engineering unit sets. Users can map data acquired from sensors to any virtual reality modeling language or stereolithography model to gain a clearer understanding of the measurement or simulation data. The upgrade provides automatic conversion and scaling of engineering unit sets or measurement units to reconcile any geographic or standardization differences that result from users working in multiple locations.
Hardware: PC running Windows XP or NT.
Developer: National Instruments Corp., 11500 N. Mopac Expressway, Austin, TX 78759-3504; (888) 280-7645; fax (512) 683-8411; www.ni.com.
Cost: $1,199, to start.
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OPEN MANY FILES
Capability: CSView Base is a free application similar to the vendor’s standard CSView, although it doesn’t include the markup and measurement function featured in that program. With it, users can open many kinds of documents and file formats, including raster images, vector CAD files, portable document views, and hybrid raster-vector documents, even if the original application doesn’t reside on the user’s computer. Each document can be manipulated with the same set of tools. It is possible to zoom, pan over the drawing, and control display of layers in layered drawings.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or XP.
Developer: CSoft, Storgt 18, N-2000 Lillestrøm, Norway; (47-64) 84-7110; fax (47-64) 84-7111;
www.csoft.com.
Cost: Free.
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AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEMS
Capability: Think & Do version 8.0 is used to develop automated control systems for material handling and manufacturing. The open-architecture environment integrates with hardware and software components from major suppliers. Software components include ProjectCenter, for creating various projects; FlowView, for creating control logic in control flowcharts; ScreenView, for creating and editing human-machine interface screens; I/OView, for configuring project inputs and outputs; and AppTracker, a graphical debugging tool.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, NT, or XP.
Developer: Automationdirect, 3505 Hutchinson Rd., Cumming, GA 30040; (770) 889-2858; fax (770) 889-7876; www.automationdirect.com.
Cost: $1,895.
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TEST COMPUTER PERFORMANCE
Capability: The computer-measurement software SPEC CPU2006 has been upgraded to version 1.1. It evaluates system performance by representing typical user operation. Updated features include new code that makes it easier to move the benchmarking setup from one system to another without recompiling. A parallel setup feature makes setup faster on multicore, multithreaded systems than with past systems. Also new is a utility that removes run-rule checks, which provides greater flexibility in development work, according to the vendor.
Hardware: PC running Windows or Unix operating systems.
Developer: Standard Performance Evaluation Corp., 6585 Merchant Place, Suite 100, Warrenton, VA 20187; (540) 349-7878; fax (540) 349-5992; www.spec.org.
Cost: Free to current version 1.0 license holders; $800 for new customers; $400 for upgrades from the original SPEC CPU2000; $200 for qualified nonprofit organizations and accredited educational institutions.
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SEE IN 3-D
Capability: XVL Player version 9 is a free 3-D viewer that allows users to view parts and assemblies created in the compressed XVL format. That format is sold by the developer. The application allows non-CAD manufacturing operators to view 3-D models from any PC. In the past, the measurement, cross-sectioning, and advanced viewing features were available only on the licensed version of XVL Player Pro, from the developer.
Hardware: PC running Windows XP or NT.
Developer: Lattice Technology Inc., 582 Market St., Suite 1215, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 274-1670; fax (415) 274-1671; www.lattice3d.com.
Cost: Free.
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