Capability: DynaFlexPro/Tire Module models and simulates the dynamics of vehicles as well as their subsystems and electronic controllers. Users can develop high-fidelity models of mechanical systems. The module is an add-on to the developer's DynaFlexPro mechatronic simulation application. Module users can incorporate pneumatic tire models into simulations of vehicle systems. They can derive kinematic quantities, such as slip angle, longitudinal slip, and inclination angle, as optimized computational sequences. The sequences are then used by various tire force models, including Fiala, Calspan, and Pacejka's magic tire formula, to determine tire forces and moments. The module's optional features let users control how tire slip and rolling radius are calculated and include tire transients through differential equations.

Hardware: PC running Windows XP or NT and the developer's Maple 10 and DynaFlexPro.

Developer: Maplesoft, 615 Kumpf Dr., Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 1K8 Canada; (519) 747-2373; fax (519) 747-5284; www.maplesoft.com.

Cost: $2,500, single user..

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Design Perfor- mance Test

Capability: A nonprofit group has released performance-evaluation software for systems running the Autodesk 3ds Max 8 design, visualization, and rendering software. That package is used to realistically visualize designs via computer and for animation. The performance-evaluation application benchmarks system performance. New features include tests for radiosity and inverse kinematics. The developers have streamlined codes and eliminated some unnecessary tests for shorter run times in this version.

Hardware: System running Autodesk 3ds Max 8.

Developer: SPECapc, a project group of the Graphics Performance Characterization Group, which is in turn part of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corp. SPEC is at 6585 Merchant Place, Suite 100, Warrenton, VA 20187; (540) 349-7878; fax (540) 349-5992; www.spec.org.

Cost: Free.

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Capability: Amapi Pro 7.51 gives engineers and product designers a nonuniform rational B-spline-based environment for conception and creation of highly refined 3-D models. The software offers many advanced design tools to accurately construct, model, and assemble complex 3-D models. NURBS modeling allows designers to create and edit complex surfaces and volumes. With the application's dynamic geometry palette, engineers can navigate inside complex objects made up of several levels, or earlier design stages can be revisited for design alternatives. The software is available in English and French for Windows and Macintosh. It's compatible with most CAD systems.

Hardware: PC running Windows 2000 or XP, or Macintosh OS X.

Developers: e frontier, 5615 Scotts Valley Dr., Suite 210, Scotts Valley, CA 95066; (831) 480-2010; fax (831) 480-2010; www.e-frontier.com.

Cost: $749.99.

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PDF of Design Intent

Capability: With Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional, engineers can share their product designs in portable document format. They can also create searchable PDFs that include computer-aided design drawings, large-format files, specifications, charts, and spreadsheets. Engineers then can get feedback on design intent from all team members. The professional version of the application allows engineers to combine, sign, and protect PDF files and to launch a real-time Web conference.

Hardware: PC running Windows 2000, NT or ME, or Macintosh OS X.

Developer: Adobe Systems Inc., 345 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95110-2704; (408) 536-6000; fax (408) 537-6000; www.adobe.com.

Cost: $449.

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Many Physical Forces

Capability: Engineers use the analysis package Comsol Multiphysics to solve for two or more physical phenomena that work together on a part design. The upgrade offers the capability to solve for more linked physical forces than did past versions. Engineers can also mesh entire CAD assemblies rather than individual parts with this version. Users may choose to expand the internal material database by importing the material properties they seek from an external database.

Hardware: PC running the Windows, Macintosh, Linux, or Solaris operating system.

Developer: Comsol Inc., 1 New England Executive Park, Suite 350, Burlington, MA 01803; (781) 273-3322; fax (781) 273-6603; www.comsol.com.

Cost: $7,995.

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