Matrix Computation
Capability: The integrated technical computing environment and matrix-based scripting language O-Matrix version 6.4 now includes input-output functionality. The integrated O-Matrix environment includes hundreds of mathematical, statistical, engineering, and visualization functions. The software can help analyze data, create simulations, visualize results, and build turnkey scientific and engineering computing solutions. Included in the most recent upgrade are new string-handling functions that have linear algebra performance enhancements. Now, authors of computationally intensive applications can implement their solutions directly with the O-Matrix matrix language. Other features introduced in this version are the capability to read data with missing values, to write and read functions for the new native binary file form, and to string searches with regular expressions.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, or NT.
Developer: Harmonic Software Inc., P.O. Box 7365, Breckenridge, CO 80424; www.omatrix.com.
Cost: $245.
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From 3-D to 2-D Layout
Capability: The CAD program TurboCAD Professional has been updated to version 15. Improvements in this upgraded version include a bill of materials feature that can be linked with a company’s building information management workflow. New also is the capability to create a 2-D layout of the 3-D model in order to optimize the cutting and manufacturing of components. Another feature makes it easier to edit 3-D objects. More than 300 photorealistic additions to enhance design realism are included.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or XP.
Developer: International Microcomputer Software Inc., 100 Rowland Way, Suite 300, Novato, CA 94945; (415) 878-4000; fax (415) 897-2544; www.imsidesign.com.
Cost: $1,295.
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Grouping Objects
Capability: The QD Object Control utility is a dialog box that allows AutoCAD users to create groups of drawing objects, and toggle them or isolate them regardless of the layer on which the objects exist. With it, users can make an assembly of objects and hide any part of it, or can use the highlight function to get a quick selection of the assembly for copying or moving.
Hardware: PC running AutoCAD 2004 to 2008.
Developers: JMHsoftware, 9901 Richmond Ave., Suite 504, Houston, TX 77042; (281) 817-1331; www.jmhsoftware.com.
Cost: $35.
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Modeling at Home
Capability: The 3-D CAD system CoCreate Modeling Personal Edition has been upgraded to version 2.0. As the name implies, the modeling system is applicable for home users. Upgraded features include the capability to select and move faces and parts by dragging a box around them. Users also can make a mirror of complete assemblies and create blends, using options that preserve the shape of a part when adjacent faces intersect with blends. The CAD program can be downloaded in English, German, Italian, or Japanese.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista.
Developer: PTC, 140 Kendrick St., Needham, MA 02494; (781) 370-5000; fax (781) 370-6000; www.ptc.com.
Cost: Free.
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Complex Calculations
Capability: The upgraded calculation software Maple 12 now features a direct connection with many CAD systems, such as SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor. 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. With the upgrade, CAD users can call upon mathematical calculations to conduct a range of analyses on CAD models. Also included in the upgrade are new plotting capabilities to simplify the creation of complex engineering plots. The developer says that the software’s document environment minimizes the learning curve. These documents can be reused or shared across the organization. They’re useful for calculations, for developing design sheets, or for producing simulation models.
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.
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