digital tools and references
Capability: EZplot for Excel creates and updates more than 50
plots. Plots and calculations are defined by parameter names rather than
cell locations. EZplot provides formulas for 2-D interpolation, 3-D interpolation,
and for polynomials. Formulas can be used like any other Excel formula.
Chart events capture changes made to charts and write them back to the
application. The plot package script is generated automatically. Add-ons
include Contour Plot and Multy_Y. The Multy_Y program creates multiple
y-axes plots in Excel. Users can provide internal and external customers
with Excel plots or insert them as pictures into PowerPoint via an add-on
called Insert Pics.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, NT, or XP.
Developer: Office Expander, 2321 Founders Way, Saugus, MA 01906;
(978) 758-8599; www.OfficeExpander.com.
Cost: $499 for a single license, $349 for 10 to 20 licenses, and $299 for more than 20 licenses. Contour Plot and Multy_Y are $125 each and Insert Pics is $29.
Plot and Animate
Capability: With Tecplot 360, engineers can plot and
animate their simulation and experiment data. That data can be analyzed
and explored by arranging multiple x-y, 2-D and 3-D plots. Engineers control
more than 2,500 plot attributions. For example, they can assign independent
axes for specialized plots, such as lift versus angle of attack. Results
are depicted graphically and can be shared digitally, or can be printed.
The program also allows for automating routine data analyses and plotting
tasks.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or XP, Macintosh OS X, or Linux or Unix.
Developer: Tecplot Inc., 3535 Factoria Blvd. SE, Suite 550, Bellevue,
WA 98006; (425) 653-1200; fax (425) 653-9200; www.tecplot.com.
Cost: $1,250 for single-user license; $2,500 for single-facility network
license; $5,000 for multifacility network license.
Click here to obtain information on this product
Capability: VersaCAD 2006 for Macintosh Universal Binary runs on all Mac OS X systems, whether you're running an iMac or a G5, and whether your internal processor is Intel or PowerPC. The application offers a design and drafting software for the engineer or drafter who works on Macintosh. Large viewing area minimizes the need for zooming. Since this CAD software is available as a corporate license, it can be installed on every system within an organization, even those used by employees working at home.
Hardware: PC running Macintosh OS X.
Developers: Archway Systems Inc., 2134 Main St., Suite 160, Huntington
Beach, CA 92648-6447; (714) 374-0440; www.archwaysystems.com.
Cost: $795 for single seats. Site licenses are available at $1,000 per year for up to 10 users, $1,500 for up to 20 users, $2,000 for up to 50 users, and continuing. Academic pricing is $195 per copy or $495 for an unlimited campus license.
Make It a Solid
Capability: The name says it all: Mesh to Solid converts
a meshed virtual part into a solid. Many modeling operations—such
as add, subtract, or intersect, or the capability to extrude, offset,
fillet, chamfer, rib, draft, or hollow a virtual part—are possible
only with solid or surface objects. To access these capabilities, it's
often necessary to convert mesh to a solid. The application reads mesh
objects from many file formats, including stereolithography, Wavefront,
and OpenNurbs files.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, XP, or NT.
Developer: Sycode, S1/116 Nova Cidade Complex, NH 17, Alto Porvorim, Goa 403521 India; (91-982) 2689-298; www.sycode.com.
Cost: $195.
Pass- Around PDF
Capability: Using the upgraded Adobe Acrobat 8 application,
engineers can create portable document format files from standard documents.
With the upgraded version, several design and construction documents can
be combined into a single PDF and delivered to various project-team members.
They can then review, comment on, and digitally sign materials using the
developer's free Adobe Reader.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, NT, or XP.
Developer: Adobe Systems Inc., 345 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95110-2704; (408) 536-6000; fax (408) 537-6000; www.adobe.com.
Cost: $299. Upgrade from earlier versions, $99.
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