Capability: Using the Net-It CAD plug-in for the Inventor CAD, engineers can share visual design data via a controlled environment. The CAD plug-in offers engineers an alternative to publishing design files for viewing. The plug-in converts Inventor design files to content-sealed format files that can be seen via all the plug-in vendor's viewing products. Published drawings are generally much smaller than equivalent portable-document files, the vendor says. Designers can choose to enable a password-protection feature, and to allow or disallow plotting, copying, and measurement capabilities.

Hardware: PC running Autodesk Inventor and Windows 98, 2000, or NT.

Developer: Informative Graphics Corp., 4835 E. Cactus Rd., Suite 445, Scottsdale, AZ 85254; (602) 971-6061; fax (602) 971-1714; www.infograph.com.

Cost: $199.

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Capability: SmartDraw is a technical drawing tool that includes more than 50,000 symbols, images, and templates. The mechanical engineering collection includes symbol libraries for acoustical elements; fluid power; heat power; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; industrial automation; marine engineering; pipe fittings; valves; plumbing fixtures; process engineering; railroads; tools and fasteners; and piping and welding. The tool includes drag-and-drop drawing and allows users to create their own reusable symbols. The software is available in two versions. The Professional Plus version includes a larger number of symbols and templates. The tool works in conjunction with Microsoft Office.

Hardware: PC running Windows 95, 98, 2000, or XP and Microsoft Office.

Developer: SmartDraw.com, 9909 Mira Mesa Blvd., Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92131.

Cost: SmartDraw Professional, $129; SmartDraw Professional Plus, $198.

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Capability: The EngineersToolbox can be used for engineering design, analysis, and reference. It combines analysis with visualization capabilities. The software features integrated computational modules that help the engineer during the decision-making part of the design or evaluation study. Using the software, engineers can interactively explore solutions to typical engineering systems-design problems by use of empirical correlation, experimental data, rule of thumb information, and numerical solutions of conservation equations.

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

Developers: Engrasp Inc., P.O. Box 14596, Arlington, TX 76094; (866) 364-7277; www.engrasp.com.

Cost: $49.95.

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Capability: With the upgraded design program TurboCAD professional version 9.5, engineers can produce complex three-dimensional models more than 25 percent faster than with past versions, according to the software's developer. In the new release, the developer has upgraded the solid modeling engine to the ACIS 10 engine and has added new filters for standard for the exchange of product-model data, or STEP, and initial graphics exchange specification, or IGES. The application's two-dimensional and 3-D capabilities are integrated.

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

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

Cost: $695; upgrade, $295.

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