POST-PROCESSING
Capability: EnSight Lite, a visualization post-processor, has been upgraded to version nine. It now includes keyframe animation, which is a method to control a virtual camera for movie sequences. Also, the application now works with both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. The upgraded system has twice as many functions tied to the computer’s mouse buttons as previous versions contained. Another feature, part highlighting, shows which parts are selected. The right-click menus allow a user to post-process and visualize a model using only the mouse.
Hardware: PC running the Windows platform.
Developer: Computational Engineering International (CEI), 2166 N. Salem Street, Ste. 101, Apex, NC 27523; (919) 363-0883; fax (919) 363-0833; www.ensight.com.
Cost: $1,600 for a standalone commercial license; $400 for approved academic institutions.
Click here for more information.
GREEN DESIGN
Capability: SustainabilityXpress from SolidWorks Labs is a plug-in for the SolidWorks CAD system. The tool helps users understand and improve the environmental impact of their designs by allowing them to calculate a design’s carbon footprint. The Environmental Impact Dashboard determines the environmental impact of a product by looking at everything that happens in its lifecycle, from production through use and final disposal. It includes all the transportation that occurs between the stages. Another tool, called Find Similar Material, takes into account the material used and how it’s manufactured. The tool suggests environmentally friendly material options. A customizable report template allows users to publish reports that show how they’ve reduced the environmental impact of a design.
Hardware: PC running SolidWorks 2009.
Developer: SolidWorks Labs, 300 Baker Ave., Concord, MA 01742; (978) 371-5011; labs.solidworks.com.
Cost: Free.
Click here for more information.
MODEL AND DRAFT
Capability: In addition to standard tools for 3-D modeling and 2-D drafting, the VariCAD system provides support for parameters and geometric constraints; tools for shells, pipelines, sheet metal unbending, and crash tests; assembly support; libraries of standard mechanical parts and symbols; mechanical part calculations; and tools for working with bills of materials and title blocks. The application supports the STEP, STL, IGES, DWG, and DXF file formats. The CAD system includes all features and functions for one price.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista; or the Linux operating system.
Developer: VariCAD s.r.o., Jestedska 168, Liberec 460 08, Czech Republic; (420) 482-713-301; fax (420) 482-713-302; www.varicad.com.
Cost: $750.
Click here for more information.
SCENE IN 3-D
Capability: With OSG Composer, users can combine geometries from different sources, including CAD models, to build and share 3-D scenes. The tool supports a variety of 3-D CAD formats, including Collada, Rhino, 3-D PDF, 3-D XML, SketchUp, IGES, STEP, and SolidWorks. The application maintains the tree structure of the imported models. Users can copy geometries or assemblies.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista; or the Macintosh operating system.
Developer: Simulation Lab Software, Royal Scientific Society, P.O. Box 935, Tla Al Ali, Amman, Jordan 11953; (962-6) 533-5152, ext. 19; www.simlab-soft.com.
Cost: $100.
Click here for more information.
AUTOMATED AUTOCAD
Capability: Autodesk has posted instructions online for using .NET to customize Autocad at www.autodesk.com/developautocad. Contents help those programmers who want to automate AutoCAD tasks or build custom-tailored AutoCAD applications in the .NET application-programming interface. The guide offers customization and automation help. The .NET API for AutoCAD follows the same general object model as ObjectARX.
Hardware: PC with Internet access.
Developer: Autodesk Inc.,111 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, CA 94903; (800) 964-6432; www.autodesk.com.
Cost: Free.
Click here for more information.
|
