Capability: Two Web sites from the developer offer users CAD add-ons, CAD symbols, and CAD freeware and shareware. FreeCADapps.com offers a large selection of CAD shareware, freeware, and free trial software. Nearly 6,000 downloads are offered. The site bills itself as a place for customers to test drive new software and download tools for their specific CAD applications. CADsymbols.com is a mechanical-parts symbol library that provides subscribers access to more than eight million 2-D and 3-D hardware component symbols. Subscribers can download symbols in AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks, and Solid Edge formats. Symbols are compressed for fast download.

Hardware: PC running Windows 98, 2000, or NT with Internet access.

Developer: International Microcomputer Software Inc., 75 Rowland Way, Novato, CA 94945; (415) 878-4000; fax (415) 897-2544; www.imsisoft.com.

Cost: FreeCADapps.com is free; CADsymbols.com is $49.95 per month, or $199.95 per year.

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Mold, Die, and Mechanical Design

Capability: Alibre Design 7.0 is a parametric, solid-modeling CAD program that includes Boolean operations for the design of molds and dies, access to standard Windows file systems for data storage, and the capability to create lighter-style drawings for faster drawing load and view times. The upgrade includes options for view scaling, enhanced settings for dual dimensioning, and increased print options, including support for multiple drawing sheets. The software now supports a localization interface that allows it to be translated into any language.

Hardware: PC running Windows 98, 2000, or NT.

Developer: Alibre Inc., 1701 N. Greenville Ave., Suite 702, Richardson, TX 75081; (972) 671-8492; fax (972) 671-8493; www.alibre.com.

Cost: $595.

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Capability: Adstefan analyzes a range of casting techniques like pressure die-casting, sand-mold, shell-mold, investment casting, and Thixomolding. The software application also features modules for die temperature prediction via a cyclic steady-state heat-balance method, and for filling, solidification, and thermal-stress and deformation. The application allows for quick meshing of complicated computer-aided design models. It also provides the capability to carry out filling and solidification processes. It can identify defects such as porosity and shrinkage by use of techniques like solidification time, Niyama Criteria, and volume-fraction of solids.

Hardware: PC running all versions of Windows, Unix, or Linux.

Developers: Hitachi America Ltd., 34500 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48335; (248) 473-6118; fax (248) 473-8420; frank.hunt@hap.com; www.adstefan.com.

Cost: $50,000 for an annual license.

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Capability: The low-frequency vibro-acoustic simulation software called Rayon 2003 can be used to predict the acoustic performance of manufactured products. The updated release includes two new advanced solvers and integration with I-deas CAD and computer-aided manufacturing software. The inverse boundary-element-method solver helps automakers analyze and characterize complex sources such as car engines. The poro-elastic material solver is for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers, allowing them to analyze the performance of acoustic components and predict their efficiency in the vehicle.

Hardware: PC running Windows NT, XP, or Unix.

Developer: ESI North America, 12555 High Bluff Dr., Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92130; (858) 350-0057; fax (858) 350-8328; www.esi-group.com.

Cost: $15,000 to start, progressing to $45,000.

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Capability: The learning tool called StudioTools Techniques/Exploring StudioTools examines the integrated sketching and modeling features as well as other design enhancements found in the developer's latest release of its computer-aided industrial design program, StudioTools 11. The self-paced DVD program includes instructions on how to convert ideas into digital concepts via the design software, using its curve-warp, color-replacement, and sketch-projection tools. It also explains how to model edge-finish details, show parting lines on concept models, and add details.

Hardware: PC with DVD capability.

Developer: Alias Systems, 210 King St. East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1J7; (416) 362-9181; fax (416) 369-6140; www.alias.com.

Cost: $129.99.

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