CADalyst articles from August 2002

CADalyst archives from August 2002

We're looking for your best renderings. (Editor's window: opinions, comments, and predictions).(CAD design contest)
August 1, 2002... Next year marks the fourteenth year of our Caddies contest, which honors the very best in computer-generated images derived from CAD models. We judge the Caddies based on artistic merit, technical quality, originality, and creative use of...

Dialog box: readers talk to us.(decline in CAD design quality)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2002... I just read Micheal Dakan's CAD Manager article on quality assurance (June 2002, p. 54). I have been a detailer and estimator for a construction materials supply firm for the last twelve years. In my opinion, the quality of construction...

Wide-format printer. (hardware).(Encad CADJET T-200)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Encad, Inc., released its CADJET T-200 wide-format CAD printer ($3,495). The 360 printer features 6003300dpi resolution, a patented snap-on ink caddy, and AutoCAD drivers. The 50mL ink caddies are clear plastic so you can monitor when to...

Large-format scanner. (hardware).(Sinclair Knight Merz DeSKan Express 5)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... The DeSKan Express 5 ($3,900, plus freight and customs), from Sinclair Knight Merz-Spatial Division, scans color documents up to E-size and oversized documents. The scanner uses a motorized scanning head combined with a calibrated guide system...

Monitors. (hardware).(BenQ P211 and P992 color monitors, FP882 flat-panel display)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... BenQ, Inc., added two new CRT monitors to its line-up: the BenQ P211 ($619) and the BenQ P992 ($265). Both offer super-fine 0.25mm dot pitch, are TCO-99 compliant, and come with a three-year warranty. The P211 is a 210 monitor with a maximum...

LCD monitor. (hardware).(Sharp Systems LL-T1820)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Sharp Systems' new 180 LCD desktop monitor, the LL-T1820 ($1299, est.), displays 10 bits of grayscale per subpixel for a total of one billion colors, sixty times the colors displayable by a conventional LCD panel. It offers 25ms response and...

Graphics cards. (hardware).(PNY Technologies Quadro devices)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... PNY Technologies introduced its Quadro family of graphics boards powered by NVIDIA's graphics processing units: Quadro4 XGL, Quadro4 NVS, QuadroDCC, and Quadro2. The Quadro4 series offers five graphics cards (call for pricing) with graphics...

Wide-format plotter. (hardware).(HP LaserJet 5100)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... The LaserJet 5100 wide-format plotter ($1,439-$2,539) from Hewlett-Packard Company offers 1200dpi printing and a 65,000 page-per-month duty cycle. The unit includes options for multiple paper trays and prints documents as small as 3 0 3 50 and...

36" scanner. (hardware).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... IDEAL.com released the IDEAL/Contex Chameleon Premier 360 wide production-oriented scanner (call for pricing) that scans a typical E-size drawing at 30 per second at 200dpi. You can use IDEAL's RasterID for scanning drawings and automatically...

Digital writing tool. (hardware).(Seiko Instruments InkLink digital writing tool)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Seiko Instruments USA Inc. released InkLink (call for pricing), a digital writing tool that links pen and paper to PDAs, laptops, and desktop PCs. InkLink transforms handwritten notes and drawings into electronic format. The pocket-sized device...

Long-range 3d scanner. (hardware).(Riegl USA LMS-Z360 3D)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Riegl USA introduced the LMS-Z360 3D (call for pricing) image scanner with new long-range capabilities combined with increased accuracy and fields of view. The unit offers 360[degrees] horizontal and 90[degrees] vertical scanning angles, and...

Laser scanning system. (hardware).(Nvision ModelMaker X)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... The ModelMaker X (call for pricing) laser system from Nvision, Inc., is designed for applications that require greater detail and a smaller, lighter scanning unit. The portable scanner scans objects of any size, shape, and material. The...

Parametric solid modeling. (Software: mcad/cae).(AutoSolids Inc's AutoSolids 2.1)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... AutoSolids v2.1 (starts at $495) from AutoSolids, Inc., is an AutoCAD add-on that provides 3D solid modeling tools, such as parametric solid arrays that let you create and edit hole and other patterns. The new version features improved graphic...

Production interface. (Software: mcad/cae).(T-Systems CATIA Metaphase Interface 8.1)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... T-Systems Inc. released CMI (CATIA Metaphase Interface) v8.1 (call for pricing) that streamlines the design and engineering processes for large equipment manufacturers. v8.1 links the CATIA CAD program and Metaphase PDM software to facilitate...

Data management. (Software: mcad/cae).(Think3 Inc thinkteam 8.0 product data management software)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... think3, Inc., unveiled thinkteam v8.0 (starting at $1,995 per seat, per year), a PDM (product data management) application designed to be easy to install and use. thinkteam integrates with think3's thinkdesign 3D solid modeling program and is...

Tolerance solution. (Software: mcad/cae).(C4 Advanced Engineering Services upgrades TASysEdge 2002)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... C4 Advanced Engineering Services announced that Pre-TASysEdge 2002 (US$1,000) now works with SolidEdge v11. Pre-TASysEdge features a key dimensions identifier that runs a search and highlights dimensions that affect the response function...

Integrated data interface. (Software: mcad/cae).(Zeal solutions CircuitWorks IV)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Zeal Solutions unveiled CircuitWorks IV ($1,995), a fully integrated data interface between SolidWorks and PCB Design Systems. The program's enhancements include component annotation and a Rename Wizard for sketches destined for IDF export....

Noise and vibration testing. (Software: mcad/cae).(LMS International LMS Test.Lab 3.0)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... LMS Test.Lab v3 (call for pricing) from LMS International is an integrated software suite for noise and vibration testing and engineering. The new version offers a portfolio of solutions for rotating machinery, structural and acoustic testing,...

A/E/C Systems 2002 best of show awards. (show report).(Top CAD/CAM/CAE applications)
August 1, 2002... Cadalyst selected nine Best of Show products for CAD/CAM/CAE users at the A/E/C SYSTEMS 2002 Show, held from June 3-6 in Anaheim, California. Autodesk Architectural Studio 2 ($1,100; www.autodesk.com/archstudio), a 3D conceptual design and...

Harness design software. (Software: mcad/cae).(Linius Technologies' EMbassyWorks 4.0)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Linius Technologies, Inc., announced EMbassyWorks 4 (starts at $3,995) wire harness design automation solution. This SolidWorks Certified Gold Product provides a level of integration that supports hierarchical harnesses, edit in context, and...

Import extender. (Software: mcad/cae).(Rhinoceros ImportExtender from Robert McNeel and Associates)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... ALGOR, Inc., recently added support for the Rhinoceros (Rhino) free-form surface modeling tool from Robert McNeel & Associates. You can use the Rhinoceros Import Extender (call for pricing) to open solid model geometry from Rhino's native 3DM...

Dynamic analysis. (Software: mcad/cae).(Mechanical Dynamics' Mechanic Designer for Autodesk Inventor 5.0)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Dynamic Designer virtual prototyping solution (call for pricing) from Mechanical Dynamics is now a fully embedded dynamic analysis product that integrates with Autodesk Inventor 5 3D mechanical design software. It also provides kinematics...

Math software. (Software: mcad/cae).(Waterloo Maple's Maple 8.0)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Waterloo Maple Inc.'s Maple 8 (US$1,695 for a single, nonconcurrent license) delivers a comprehensive environment that lets you visualize and explore mathematical concepts and develop mathematical applications. The solution includes new...

Automotive supplier saves through CADCAM-E online file translation service. (on the job).(Solar Spring & Wire Form Co. uses CADCAM-E)
August 1, 2002... Solar Spring & Wire Form Company, based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, manufactures springs used in automobile engines and transmissions. It faced a problem common to many automotive suppliers-how to handle customer drawings from high-end CAD...

Document management. (Software: general).(Xerox Engineering Systems' ImageSite 4.0)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... ImageSite v4 from Xerox Engineering Systems (starts at $8,300) is a Web-based document management solution. Users access stored documents through their Internet Explorer browser and can stamp plots with watermarks, print banner sheets, and...

Content management tools. (Software: general).(Armilian Technologies Adminstrator Dashboard and Armilian Technologies Scanner/Digital Camera)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Armilian Technologies unveiled new tools and extensions for ProjectWise, Bentley's content management solution for engineering applications. The Scanner/Digital Camera Interface plug-in ($695 per scanning station) scans documents directly into...

EDM workgroup software. (Software: general).(Cyco Software's AutoManager TeamWork 2002a)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Cyco Software's AutoManager TeamWork 2002a ($995) EDM (engineering data management) workgroup software is now available. The new version offers 33 new and enhanced features such as updated Inventor and SolidWorks links, a Web client with...

Pipe dreams: Rebis AutoPlant accelerates ocean liner design. (on the job).
August 1, 2002... Not just another cruise ship, the luxury ocean liner The World of ResidenSea (www.residensea.com) is the world's first floating condominium. More than half of its suites will be sold as privately owned residences, and the ship will continuously...

3D design collaboration. (Software: aec/general).(CoCreate OneSpace Designer 2002+)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... OneSpace Designer 2002+ (starts at $6,320 per seat) from CoCreate is the latest version of its collaborative 3D design tool. The release includes a new Design Simplification module that generates a simplified 3D representation of complex...

Field software. (Software: aec/general).(Surveyors Module International's Pocket SMI)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Surveyors Module International, a division of Eagle Point, launched Pocket SMI ($1,800-$3,750; upgrades available), field surveying software designed for use on the Compaq iPAQ with Pocket PC. The program runs on the Microsoft Pocket PC...

Architectural software. (Software: aec/general).(ART's Chief Architect 8.0 CAD software)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Chief Architect 8.0 ($1,495), drafting and design software from ART, Inc., offers a custom symbol wizard that imports 3D DWG and DXF files into Chief Architect 8 so you can create your own custom symbols. You can also modify your symbols during...

Pipe stress analysis. (Software: aec/general).(Coade's Caesar II 4.40)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... CAESAR II v4.40 (starting at $650 for a 50-run limited license, $11,000 for a full license) pipe stress analysis and design software from COADE, Inc., includes mandatory updates to the B31.3, B31.4, B31.8, ASME NC, and ND piping codes. The new...

3D visualization, simulation. (Software: aec/general).(VRcontext's Walkinside 2.0 animation software)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... VRcontext introduced Walkinside 2 (call for pricing) visualization and simulation software based on real-time collision detection technology. You can visualize complex 3D models, from nuclear power stations to offshore oil platforms, and...

Calendar.(Calendar of Events)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... International Manufacturing Technology Show September 4-11 McCormick Place, Chicago, IL www.imts.com National Collegiate CADD Conference October 8-10 University of Washington, Seattle, WA www.nccconf.org/nccc02/nccc02.htm ...

Plunge milling add-on. (Software: mcad/manufacturing).(Zerbick Software's Plunge Milling)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Zerbick Software announced its Plunge Milling add-on ($595) for DP Technology's ESPRIT CAM system. The Plunge Milling add-on provides access to tools that optimize the roughing process. The add-in works from within ESPRIT and includes a...

3D photography solution. (Software: mcad/manufacturing).(Raindrop Geomagic's Geomagic Studio 4.1)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Geomagic Studio 4.1 (call for pricing) 3D photography solution from Raindrop Geomagic speeds processing of large, ordered data files for scan registration and provides support for additional scanners. The new version now accommodates 3D...

Information tracking tool. (Software: mcad/manufacturing).(Bamboo Solutions' WD3 2.5)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... Bamboo Solutions introduced WD3 v2.5 (call for pricing), a software development platform that helps you track documents and data across desktop, Web, and wireless devices. It employs a search methodology that pinpoints information through the...

Product portfolio management. (Software: mcad/manufacturing).(Framework Technologies ActiveProcess, Framework Technologies ActivePorfolio)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2002... ActiveProcess ($95,000) and ActivePortfolio ($130,000) are two new modules from Framework Technologies for product introduction decision support. The modules work with ActiveProject, which synchronizes information, milestones, and...

Desktop rapid prototyping cuts costs and improves designs.
August 1, 2002... Producing real physical models directly from 3D CAD models is possible through an increasingly automatic process called rapid prototyping. Rapid prototyping is very useful to those who design in 3D because it helps identify the need for...

VX fills void with mold design tools: VX CAD/CAM v6.5 focuses on ease of use through new interface. (cadalyst labs review).(Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... VX CAD/CAM v6.5 is a third-generation parametric, feature-based surface and solid modeler from VX Corp., which released its first 3D modeling application in 1987. VX CAD/CAM boasts integrated modeling, assembly, drafting, and CAM applications....

Two GPUs deliver portable power: GPUs from ATI and NVIDIA showcased in laptops from Dell, IBM. (First look reviews: brief hands-on product reviews).(ATI Technologies Mobility Fire GL 7800; nVidia Quadro4-500 Gu GL)(Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... Two new portable graphics processors, one from ATI Technologies and the other from NVIDIA, double your options when you need a capable laptop computer that provides reasonable performance for your CAD and visualization programs. We tested...

NVIDIA Quadro4 500 Go GL graphics chip/Dell Precision M50. (First look reviews: brief hands-on product reviews).(Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... Dell's latest portable workstation, the Precision Mobile Workstation M50, is based on a 2.0GHz Pentium 4M processor and NVIDIA's Quadro4 500 Go GL graphics processing unit. Our review system came configured with 512MB of RAM. The Go GL GPU...

CADWorx PIPE, P&ID, LOOPS 2002. (First look reviews: brief hands-on product reviews).(COADE Engineering Software)(Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... COADE Engineering software updated its suite of CADWorx piping and plant design software. Based on AutoCAD, the series includes Steels, ISOGEN, Sanitary, Ductile Iron, and the three we focus on here--PIPE, P&ID, and LOOPS. CADWorx PIPE...

NavisWorks 2.2. (First look reviews: brief hands-on product reviews).(Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... It's difficult to describe what NavisWorks does in a few words. Suffice it to say that NavisWorks is an interactive 3D design review solution for everyone involved in the design process: designers, contractors, and administrative staff can...

Don't do it all--delegate: more on the people side of CAD management. (CAD management strategies).
August 1, 2002... In my CAD consulting work and in discussions with CAD managers, I find that the most daunting challenges are not managing computers and software. The hardest job, and the most interesting one, is managing people. This month, I look at...

Design optimization, part 2: MCAD optimizes design tasks. (Modeling: 3D solid modeling fundamentals).
August 1, 2002... When solid modeling first found its way to the desktop PC in the mid-1980s, the average designer took little notice. Didn't CAD stand for computer-aided drafting? Didn't 3D modeling require mainframe computers and advanced UNIX workstations?...

Smart pipe symbols: PVSYMBOLS.LSP inserts pipe symbols with automatic trim. (AutoLISP solutions: reader-requested AutoLISP routines).
August 1, 2002... Robert Davis and Michael D'Attilio separately requested a routine to insert piping symbols with automatic trim. Many routines in textbooks and recent tips and tricks in Cadalyst insert piping symbols. However, these routines do not...

Layer filter overload: and menu macros to switch profiles. (Autocad clinic: AutoCAD Helpline answers your support questions).
August 1, 2002... Do you know how to delete multiple layer filters in the Layer Properties Manager? Layer filters seem to stick on each and every object created in a given drawing, and when you paste these objects into another drawing, the filters become part of...

Tips from our readers. (hot tip harry).
August 1, 2002... $50 BONUS WINNER INSULATION MASTER Tip #1812 [INSULMSTR.LSP] This routine quickly draws batt insulation for sections and details. The insulation is drawn on a layer named INSUL using a polyline. You start by picking three points:...