digital tools and references
Capability: Deep Exploration CAD Edition translates, optimizes,
and repairs 3-D models as the first step in producing a range of technical
illustrations, photorealistic images, and 3-D animations. That is, the
software turns an engineer's CAD design into a lifelike representation
of that future product. Those in marketing can then use the image to sell
the product, and other employees—like graphic designers and technical
writers—can get a sense of how the product will look eventually.
The Deep Explorer CAD edition runs with the developer's Deep Server
software. The edition imports and translates more than 80 CAD and other
2-D and 3-D graphic formats. It controls polygonal mesh density and visual
quality. Graphics can be viewed interactively and can be marked up.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or NT.
Developer: Right Hemisphere, 2603 Camino Ramon, Suite 200, San
Ramon, CA 94583; (925) 242-2242; fax (925) 242-2952.
Cost: $1,495; special pricing for existing users.
Ready for Close-Up
Capability: The computer-aided design software TurboCAD
Professional, version 12, now includes access to hundreds of interior
and external materials and effects to help simulate realistic design.
The rendering software tool LightWorks 7.5 is now embedded in TurboCAD
for realistic modeling, rendering, and designs, allowing designers to
create picture-quality images from their CAD models. Also included in
this update is the ability to define horizontal and vertical constraints,
apply material properties to individual facets of the same object, and
preview a blend before committing to it. Designers can extrude complex
two-dimensional surfaces and edit extruded models. CAD files can be readily
shared.
Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or XP.
Developer: International Microcomputers Software Inc., 75 Rowland
Way, Suite 340, Novato, CA 94945; (415) 878-4000; fax (415) 897-2544;
www.imsisoft.com.
Cost: $895; upgrade from a competitive product, $350.
Click here to obtain information on this product
Capability: The CADFind add-in for the computer-aided design system SolidWorks lets designers graphically search their own or their company's part repositories from inside the CAD software. The add-in analyzes the part currently loaded in the CAD system and uses the information gained to rapidly and accurately retrieve all parts that are of a similar size and geometry. The ability to search graphically helps reduce unnecessary part variety and keeps engineers from replicating parts already created.
Hardware:PC running SolidWorks.
Developers: Applied Search Technology Ltd., Aston Science Park,
Birmingham, B7 4BB, England; (44-0) 121-260-6000; fax (44-0) 121-260-6003;
www.sketchandsearch.com.
Cost: $59.
Free Design
Capability: Alibre Design Xpress is a basic, three-dimensional
solid modeler used to create mechanical parts, assemblies, and two-dimensional
drawings. The program is a scaled-down, free version of the developer's
CAD programs. Those new to 3-D can find the same tutorials included in
paid versions of Alibre Design. Users can opt to attend online training
classes a la carte or with a subscription. This version includes feature-creation
tools along with feature-based modeling that includes parametric history.
Two-dimensional features include redline markups and automated generation
of 2-D drawings of parts and assemblies.
Hardware: PC running Windows 98, 2000, or NT.
Developer: Alibre Inc., 1701 N. Greenville Ave., Suite 702, Richardson, TX 65081; (972) 671-8492; fax (972) 671-8493; www.alibre.com.
Cost: Free.
Technical Feedback
Capability: Matlab 7.2 is now available for the 64-bit
computing platform. The application offers a technical computing language
and an interactive environment for algorithm development, data visualization,
data analysis, and numeric computation. The upgraded Matlab allows users
to work with larger data sets and perform more computationally intensive
tasks than they could with past versions, which were created for 32-bit
systems. New features for analyzing and visualizing time series data are
included in the upgrade. Users can manipulate time and data together for
applications like engine diagnostics.
Hardware: PC running Windows XP Professional X64 edition.
Developer: MathWorks, 3 Apple Hill Dr., Natick, MA 01760-2098; (508) 647-7000; fax (508) 647-7001; www. mathworks.com.
Cost: $1,900, to start.
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