CADalyst articles from September 2000

CADalyst archives from September 2000

3D color in a wire frame world.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2000... I can't plot a shaded view from Architectural Desktop Release 2 correctly. I drew some 3D platting tanks for our shop renovations. The plots come out as black-and-white wire frame images without hidden lines removed, even though I've checked...

Select an attribute by entering its text value.(Product Support)
September 1, 2000... Paul MacPhail requested a routine that searches for and highlights a specific room number on a floor plan of a building. He also wants to be able to check that a particular room number exists. findatt.lsp asks you to select any block that...

Perils of electronic exchange beyond AutoCAD.(Product Information)
September 1, 2000... Anyone who has tried to translate between two human languages knows that it takes a highly skilled translator with a deep understanding of the nuances of each language to pull it off. Even a skilled translator sometimes has to compromise,...

Nailing a good design.(Product Information)
September 1, 2000... As the tools we use become lighter, more powerful, and more ergonomic, it's easy to forget that they weren't always that way. Forty years ago a professional carpenter or roofer put every nail into a project by swinging a hammer. Then the...

Do the i's have it?(Product Information)
September 1, 2000... The big question with any new major software release is whether to upgrade. Users generally upgrade for one of two reasons: the new release offers hot new features that outweigh the hassle of the upgrade process, or other issues force them to...

Guardian : Add-on to AM-WorkFlow EDMS.(Product Information)
September 1, 2000... Cyco International's AM-WorkFlow (AutoManager WorkFlow) is one of the better-known EDMS (electronic document management system) programs. It's been around for a long time--long enough, in fact, to have spawned a third-party developer community...

XLQuest 3 : AutoCAD skills assessment.(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Whether evaluating existing staff or a potential new employee, assessing CAD skill levels can be a difficult task for many CAD managers. XLQuest 3 from Office Technology makes this task easier. XLQuest 3 is designed to assess a technician's...

3D Design and Drawing : Practical tutorials for AutoCAD 3D design.(Product Information)
September 1, 2000... Referentia's 3D Design and Drawing in AutoCAD 2000 features video animations that combine excellent graphics with audio descriptions to explain even the most complex subjects with clarity. If you need to learn about AutoCAD's 3D design tools,...

IsoMaker 14 : Create isometric views.(Evaluation)
September 1, 2000... Recently a co-worker was having difficulty accurately depicting curved surfaces for a part in an isometric view. I went to www.cadalog.com and found IsoMaker 14 from Chris Watts Design. IsoMaker 14 converts 2D AutoCAD entities to create...

3D Studio VIZ Tips and Tricks : Training videos.(Product Support)
September 1, 2000... Autodesk produces a variety of powerful applications, such as AutoCAD and 3D Studio VIZ, that are tremendously capable and complex. Creating training materials for these applications has become something of a cottage industry within the design...

Coming next month.(Editorial)
September 1, 2000... Plotter review CADALYST Labs tests plotters from Canon and Hewlett-Packard. Design Spotlight form*z helps an Oregon community rebuild an earthquake-damaged historical courthouse. CAD Spectrum We review Revit and Bricsnet...

System Commander 2000 : Bring order to your operating system chaos.(Evaluation)
September 1, 2000... Having more than one operating system installed on your system is not as rare as it once was, yet you still must choose those two operating systems carefully for compatibility. If you install more than two operating systems, complications are...

Partition Magic 5 : Hard disk partition management.(Evaluation)
September 1, 2000... Need to merge a couple of FAT or FAT32 partitions on your hard disk or switch a primary partition with a logical partition? Perhaps you need to convert that NTFS partition to FAT32, or just simply make that bulging logical partition even larger...

MINE YOUR MAP DATA.(Company Business and Marketing)
September 1, 2000... It's been a big year in the geospatial realm. Space Imaging finally launched its long-awaited Ikonos satellite and began beaming down the first commercially available 1-meter resolution satellite imagery. The GIS community is gobbling up the...

Tips from our readers.
September 1, 2000... $50 BONUS WINNER Dimension Line Offset Tip #1643 [DO.LSP] Mechanical Desktop insists on placing dimension lines for holes at the center point. Our office standard offsets the dimension line 1/160 from the end of the center mark....

Make your objects look good with ADT's display system.(Product Support)
September 1, 2000... Architectural Desktop's display system provides access to an object's graphical properties, such as linetype, color, and layer. Understanding the display system is crucial to learning Architectural Desktop Release 2. You control the display...

Get to the point with AutoCAD 2000's Polar function.(Product Information)
September 1, 2000... The British have a traditional saying on the passing of a monarch: "The king is dead. Long live the king!" The time has come to acknowledge that Ortho is dead. Long live Ortho! I have taught AutoCAD for many years, and I never thought I'd tell...

HARDWARE : Color inkjet.(Encad CADJET 3D)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... The CADJET 3D ($7,499) 360 wide-format color inkjet printer from ENCAD features ENCAD's MicroBurst inkjet technology and 3003600dpi color. It prints at speeds up to 210 square feet per hour, according to the company. CADJET 3D comes with four...

HARDWARE : 850MHz system.(850MHz GP Series from Gateway 2000 Inc)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... The 850MHz GP Series desktop system (prices start at $2,599) from Gateway includes a 500MHz, 667MHz, or 933MHz processor, integrated 3D AGP graphics, and 483 maximum CD-ROM drive. Features also include up to 256MB SDRAM, PCI 10/100 ethernet, a...

HARDWARE : 190 flat-screen CRT.(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Samsung Electronics introduced the SyncMaster 955DF ($424) 190 flat-screen CRT monitor with Samsung's DynaFlat tube technology. The 955DF uses Smart III screen coating to enhance contrast, increase brightness, and promote uniform light...

HARDWARE : Graphics accelerator.(3Dlabs Oxygen VX1-16)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... 3Dlabs Inc. announced the Oxygen VX1-16 graphics accelerator ($149). The VX1-16 features 3Dlabs' GLiNT R3 workstation graphics processor for virtual texturing that allows an accelerator board with 16MB of on-board memory to manipulate up to...

HARDWARE : Digital document system.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Xerox Engineering Systems introduced the 8855 DDS (Digital Document System) (call for pricing), which produces 13 D-size prints per minute, according to the com-pany. Xerox's AccXES controller offers concurrent scanning, printing, and copying...

GIS AND MCAD SOFTWARE : Modeling extension.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... ESRI announced ArcView Spatial Analyst 2 (call for pricing), an extension to ArcView GIS. Analyst 2 features ESRI's ModelBuilder technology that integrates logical modeling with GIS functionality. The software lets you construct models with...

GIS AND MCAD SOFTWARE : Design simulation.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Mechanical Dynamics, Inc., released Dynamic Designer/Motion 2000 ($4,995) for design simulation within Solid Edge v8. Dynamic Designer lets you detect moving interferences between assembly parts and test what-if design alternatives. The...

GIS AND MCAD SOFTWARE : Downloadable drivers.(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... The GIS dtX (Data Transformer Extension) for AutoCAD is a downloadable extension for AutoCAD Map 2000 and AutoCAD Land Development Desktop 2 from Autodesk, Inc. GIS dtX ($99) is a 4.6MB engine that gives you extensive import and export...

GIS AND MCAD SOFTWARE : Mapping tools.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... MapTools v4 ($995) from TCI Software is a suite of automated mapping tools that run inside AutoCAD Release 14 and 2000. MapTools includes more than 100 functions and features EED (extended entity data) recognition and preservation. MapTools v4...

GIS AND MCAD SOFTWARE : Geospatial solution.(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Intergraph Corp. announced the GeoMedia 4.0 product suite (pricing starts at $1,500). The suite includes GeoMedia, GeoMedia Professional, GeoMedia Web Map, and GeoMedia Web Enterprise. Features of the suite include expanded data server support,...

GIS AND MCAD SOFTWARE : Data analysis.(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... ANSYS, Inc., announced CADfix for ANSYS software (call for pricing). CADfix for ANSYS specializes in geometry import, export, and repair. It repairs CAD models from a wide range of CAD vendors and prepares them for ANSYS design analysis. While...

On the Job: Intergraph brings GIS to class.(Company Business and Marketing)
September 1, 2000... Intergraph Corporation announced an education initiative, Intergraph's Program for Schools (www.intergraph.com). The worldwide program enhances the traditional classroom environment by introducing technology-driven tools that make learning more...

MCAD SOFTWARE : File translation.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Spatial Technology announced 3DShare Enterprise (call for pricing) intranet-based CAD file translation and repair solution. Through a Web browser interface, 3DShare lets you upload CAD/CAM/CAE solid models for translation and repair. 3DShare...

MCAD SOFTWARE : Mold design.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... R&B Mold & Die Design, Ltd., announced MoldWorks software ($2,995-$3,995) for SolidWorks. MoldWorks integrates with SolidWorks so you can perform modeling, detailing, and mold base development within the same interface and without the need for...

GENERAL SOFTWARE : AutoCAD cut and paste.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Better WMF Version 3.0 ($100 for single-user license) from Furix solves problems that occur when you cut and paste an AutoCAD drawing into Microsoft Word. Features of the new version include a user-friendly window to map colors to linewidths...

GENERAL SOFTWARE : MicroStation evaluation.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Axiom International's DgnCompare (call for pricing) software evaluates MicroStation design files against another version of the same file and outputs a file that uses colors to show which elements have been deleted, added, and modified. You can...

GENERAL SOFTWARE : Manufacturing tool.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... SmarTeam Inc. announced SmarTeam v4 ($1,450 per license). The software features a PDM to ERP (enterprise resource planning) solution called SmartERP, a built-in Web browser, and enhanced lifecycle operations for concurrent engineering. SmartERP...

GENERAL SOFTWARE : Internet printing.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Oce Web Solutions (free service) from Oce Engineering Solutions are software products that let you print drawings directly from the Internet. Oce has partnered with collaboration portals such as buzzsaw. com, Cephren, Inc., and Bidcom, Inc. to...

GENERAL SOFTWARE : Mobile CAD software.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... ArcSecond, Inc., introduced PocketCAD software (call for pricing). When you run PocketCAD on a PocketPC or other hand-held device, you can create, view, and edit CAD files directly in the field. You can exchange files created in PocketCAD or...

GENERAL SOFTWARE : Component library.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... CTAC announced ParaFAST hardware and helical/nonhelical fastener library for Mechanical Desktop 4.0 and 5.0 (pricing starts at $64.95) ParaFAST includes more than 130 parametric components with more than 10,000 different variations. These...

GENERAL SOFTWARE : AutoCAD tutor.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... New Vision Sotware, Inc., announced SofTutor ($298), an online training and technical support tool for AutoCAD Release 14 and 2000, in 2D, 3D, and advanced versions. You can use SofTutor as a stand-alone audio and visual training tool, as an...

On the Job: Writer Corp. builds community RAPIDly.(Company Business and Marketing)
September 1, 2000... Evans and Sutherland announced that Writer Corporation, a leading Denver, Colorado, home builder and land development company, has signed on as E&S RAPIDsite's (www.es.com) first home building customer. Writer currently uses RAPIDsite in the...

3D measurement.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... ArcSecond introduced the Vulcan Spatial Measurement System ($27,500) for 3D measurement, inspection, and modeling. Vulcan uses Microsoft's Pocket PC platform to run 3D-I (3D intelligence) software such as Survey 3D-I and PocketCAD. Vulcan lets...

Internet meeting.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... 3D Meeting (free to SolidWorks Subscription Service customers) from Solidworks Corporation is an add-in to SolidWorks software that lets you view and share mechanical designs in real-time over the Internet. 3D Meeting lets vendors,...

Online marketplace.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... SupplierMarket.com announced version 4 of the SupplierMarket.com marketplace (free Internet site). The new release features a value-added service field that suppliers can use for bidding events and to specify services like inventory...

AEC SOFTWARE : Drawing tool.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Archway Systems, Inc., introduces VersaCAD 2000 ($895 per seat) CAD software for production drawings. VersaCAD uses a keystroke tree of commands instead of icons to let you use both hands and minimize the number of keystrokes per drawing. You...

AEC SOFTWARE : CAD for Linux.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2000... Software Forge Inc. announced LinuxCAD ($99 for FTP download or $150 for complete box) drafting program for Linux. LinuxCAD implements all the core features of AutoCAD for 2D drafting and includes support for diagramming and large symbol...

MARK YOUR CALENDAR.
September 1, 2000... HP World 2000 September 9-14 Pennsylvania Convention Center Philadelphia, PA 800.468.3739, x621 www.hpworld.com 2000 Bentley Int'l User Conference September 17-21 Philadelphia Convention Center Philadelphia, PA...

Dialog Box : Thoughts from our readers.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2000... All hype? So I fell for it--I talked all the bosses into signing up with buzzsaw.com and used the free 100MB ProjectPoint site to collaborate online on a few small projects. I was learning the methods and techniques and using Volo View...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2000... The correct Web address for the Orton Family Foundation in May's Design Spotlight (p. 34) is www.orton.org.

Web to Watch CAD companies online.(Directory)
September 1, 2000... The Internet has found its way into most engineering departments, offering the convenience of e-mail, file transfer, access to vendor part catalogs, supplier directories, and online discussion forums. In a relatively short time, these tools...

Kernel concerns: Dassault buys ACIS, UGS ships Parasolid v12.(Company Business and Marketing)
September 1, 2000... Spatial Technologies sold its ACIS geometric modeling kernel and other component technology to Dassault Systemes for $21.5 million in cash. Spatial will focus on its Internet activities and will now be known as PlanetCAD Inc. The companies...

AutoCAD virus spotted on Web site.(Product Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... Russian antivirus researchers discovered the first computer virus that infects AutoCAD. Kaspersky Labs says the virus, ACAD.Star, is "extremely primitive" and contains many errors that could keep it from proliferating. The 500-byte virus is a...

IMSI back in black, looking at Linux.(Company Financial Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... IMSI reports that it generated operating profits for the quarter ending June 30. The company reinstated its Russian development team to work on a new version of TurboCAD and will also develop a Linux version by the end of this year. The company...

Intel announced that its next generation of desktop microprocessors.(Product Development)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... Intel announced that its next generation of desktop microprocessors, code-named Willamette, will carry the Pentium 4 brand name. The new chips will debut in the second half of 2000. |

SGI and Intergraph announced a strategic alliance.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... SGI and Intergraph announced a strategic alliance under which Intergraph will purchase $100 million in SGI products and services over three years. SGI will acquire Intergraph's Zx10 family of ViZual workstations and servers.

Ausam will license Bricsnet Architecturals.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... Ausam will license Bricsnet Architecturals to use as the platform for the next generation of its Cabinet Solutions software.

Informative Graphics Corp.(Industry Trend or Event)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... Informative Graphics Corp., developer of Java-based viewing and markup tools, joined the ASP (application service provider) Industry Consortium.

MultiGen-Paradigm and Viewpoint Digital.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... MultiGen-Paradigm and Viewpoint Digital, both subsidiaries of Computer Associates, have joined to form Viewpoint Visualization.

MUSE Technologies.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... MUSE Technologies will acquire Advanced Visualization Systems.

Curious Labs.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... Curious Labs, a subsidiary of egi.sys AG, will take over development and distribution of Poser animation software from MetaCreatons.

E-commerce platform provider Ariba bought SupplierMarket.com.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... E-commerce platform provider Ariba bought SupplierMarket.com, a Web site that matches buyers and suppliers of custom manufactured goods.

SolidWorks 2000: Well-rounded 2D/3D solution -- 2D and assembly upgrades improve speed.(Software Review)(Evaluation)
September 1, 2000... The latest release of SolidWorks includes a number of notable enhancements that continue to make it among the most well-rounded midrange design programs available today. The latest improvements collectively make SolidWorks 2000 even more...

VX Vision makes surface and solid modeling easy : Young program offers valuable tools.(Software Review)(Evaluation)
September 1, 2000... VX Vision v3.1 builds on the momentum of its impressive initial release last year with a revamped interface and new application modules for sheet-metal and mold design. VX Vision is a parametric feature-based hybrid surface and solid B-rep...