Gstarsoft Releases DWG FastView v2.0 for Windows

SUZHOU, China, May 17, 2016 - Gstarsoft officially released DWG FastView for Windows (V2.0), a completely re-written new version with more user-friendly and intuitive interface.

DWG FastView is a fast and easy CAD Viewer compatible with the latest DWG/DXF formats, it’s ease of use even if you do not have relevant technical skills. By dragging and dropping over the main interface, multiple drawings can be faster opened simultaneously. You can view 3D models and 2D vector objects, meshes, surfaces, object information and attached drawing references. With C++ API you are also able to program and run your own application tools on DWG FastView.

Features

• Compatible with DWG versions from R14 to 2013, and DXF from R12 to 2013
• More faster to open and view DWG files, especially for large files
• Faster user interaction and better stability
• Export to image format such as BMP, JPG, and PNG
• Send DWG drawings directly by email
• Layer control like turn on/off, freezing, locking or unlocking
• Provide traditional zooming and panning tools as well as innovative magnifier tool to quickly zoom into specified parts and view the details
• Provide C++ API to the plug-ins developed and customized based on DWG FastView

Download

• For 64-Bit System, click here
• For 32-Bit System, click here

Operating Environment

• Software: DWG FastView for Windows
• Version: 2.0
• System Requirement: Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10

About Gstarsoft

Gstarsoft is the recognized leading provider of 2D/3D CAD software and solutions for the industries involving AEC, mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, GIS, survey and mapping, civil, etc. GstarCAD have focused on developing highly .dwg-compatible CAD platform for over 20 years. Versions in 14 different languages sell in over 100 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gstarcad.net/.

ZWSOFT Releases CADbro 2016 3D CAD Viewer

GUANGZHOU, China, May 4, 2016 - ZWSOFT, an innovative supplier of CAD solutions for the AEC and MCAD industries, announces the release of a full-featured and budget-friendly 3D CAD viewer, CADbro, for anyone to access, annotate & analyse engineering data, delivering highly efficient internal & external cooperation with greatly shortened time-to-market and largely saved project investment.

"ZWSOFT has leveraged its years of MCAD experience to develop this powerful yet simple-to-learn 3D CAD viewer, CADbro,” said Colin Lin, Director of ZW3D Overseas Business. “It will deliver superior experience and value to those who want to view and communicate CAD data.”

Directly reading virtually all major CAD formats with streamlined & easy-to-use UI

With over 20 major 3D CAD & neutral formats, like CATIA, NX, Creo/ProE, SolidWorks, Parasolid, STEP, DWG/DXF and STL etc., supported in CADbro, users can easily access & interact with 3D CAD data without expensive CAD licenses. Moreover, CADbro has also incorporated smart commands to detect open edges and perform quick healing, if required.

The seamless connectivity with engineering data makes CADbro a perfect solution to be deployed throughout any organization.

Vividly adding 3D annotations to share complex 3D product data and highlight specific areas

CADbro ships with topnotch 3D annotating functionalities, allowing even periodic users, like program managers, estimators, sales or marketers, to add dimensions, tolerance, symbols, or texts directly to the 3D models, saving the great complexity and expenditure of maintaining dozens of CAD platforms.

In a word, CADbro will help users focus and highlight certain areas of CAD files that are most vital to their particular projects.

Easily analysing & verifying engineering data for better interaction and more accurate quotation

CADbro is packed with diversified query & analysis tools, so salespersons can take measurements to estimate and quote accurately without disturbing CAD engineers; project managers can verify the manufacturability of product structure and assembly without cumbersome and costly CAD platforms.

Premium features provided for simple but smart editing

Apart from the above handy features, CADbro has also incorporated flexible editing technologies, like Direct Edit, Curve Creating and Shape/Part Transfer, making it possible for users to make some tweaks on 3D CAD models.

For more information about CADbro, visit click here.

About ZWSOFT

ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd. is an international CAD software provider through its network of over 300 partners in 80+ countries and regions. Its product ZWCAD is used by CAD designers across the AEC and MCAD industries. For more information, visit http://www.zwsoft.com/.

ZW3D 2016 Released

GUANGZHOU, China, Mar 30, 2016 - ZW3D, one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced CAD/CAM solutions for the manufacturing industry, announced the availability of ZW3D 2016, a full-featured & pro-level CAD/CAM program designed for Product Design and Operations alike, to smoothen interaction and shorten time-to-market.

Like most of 3D CAD programs, ZW3D 2016 is embedded with numerous powerful & comprehensive functionalities, like new 3D sketch for efficient piping design, new alignment for quicker assembly and expansive FTI for much-advanced sheet metal etc., allowing mechanics & engineers to explore design ideas, visualize concepts, and simulate designs. It also includes some easy-to-learn & entry-level functions to link operation departments in the following approaches:

Import & Healing

Data interoperability matters a lot in product development. For the engineering department, the ability to reuse rather than re-create modeling data will save countless hours; for others, the ability to access internal and external data will minimize communication costs.

In ZW3D 2016, the built-in file translator ensures seamless data exchange with mainstream CAD programs, like Catia, NX, Creo, SoldWorks, STEP, JT, Parasolid and much more, in latest file formats. Plus, abundance of healing & freeform tools enables quick detection & restoration of imported models.

Drawing Review & Direct Edit

Model Checking is vital to safeguard the manufacturability & quality of products. For procurement, ZW3D can help calculate mass properties and stock size of geometries before purchasing; for CAD managers, a series of verification tools, like thickness analysis, interference check & dynamic section view, etc., are provided to inspect product structure and assembly reasonability before releasing the design data downstream.

Plus, with the much-more stable Direct Edit technologies in ZW3D 2016, the pinpointed problems in the previous checking process can be easily fine-tuned, if required.

3D Annotation

Annotating is to upgrade the paper-based collaboration into digital one. Engineers can define dimensions & annotations vividly on 3D models with the newly-developed PMI in ZW3D 2016, which allows their collaborators who don’t work with CAD to be highly engaged in product development. This will help speed up interaction, avoid project delays and boost productivity.

File Output

Offering proper files to corresponding users is crucial to the cross-department and cross-company interactions. ZW3D 2016 comes with much improved 2D sheet, delivering rapid and precise generation of various standard 2D sheets and BOM table from parts or assembly. Moreover, designs in ZW3D can be exported to STEP, IGES, STL, Parasolid, SAT, CATIA & 3D PDF files etc.

“This new release is our attempt to expand the reach of ZW3D,” said Colin Lin, Director of ZW3D Overseas Business. “By developing simple-to-learn & use solutions to both CAD users and ordinary people.”

About ZW3D CAD/CAM

ZW3D is cost-effective CAD/CAM software for 3D modeling, mold design, and machining, which takes engineers from concept to finished product in one easy-to-use, single collaborative environment. For more information, visit http://www.zwsoft.com/ZW3D/ or follow ZWSOFT on facebook.

IMSI/Design Releases TurboCAD Pro, Platinum 2016

NOVATO, CA, USA, Mar 23, 2016 - IMSI/Design, the developer of the #1 best-selling CAD in retail, announced the release of both TurboCAD Pro 2016 and TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2016. 

"While this year's release follows others with remarkable architectural and visualization/rendering enhancements, TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2016 is a particularly outstanding release when it comes to professional mechanical design enhancements. These include advanced 3D Blending, 3D Law tools and Point Cloud support," stated Bob Mayer, President of IMSI/Design. To view new feature video click here.

TurboCAD Pro 2016 and TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2016 new and improved features include:

3D modeling / Mechanical

• NEW Advanced Blending Functionality - New 3D Fillet Blending options allow for much more organic and realistic object creation. New Holdline Blend uses 2D elements to control limits of the fillet. New Variable Blend uses points to specify the radii at various locations on the fillet. 
• New Bend to Path and Part Tree operation can bend an ACIS solid object along a line, arc, or curve.
• New Curve from Law tool creates a parametrically defined 2D, 3D curve using Laws. The resulting curve can be used by the Graphic on Path tool, in Sweeps, etc.
• New Surface from Laws generates an entirely new parametric surface object by formula.
• New Warp Entity by Law can warp an existing 3D solid based on a formula.
• New Offset with Laws reshapes the resulting offset object based on a formula. 
• New Extract Entity allows extraction of edges and faces from a solid body with or without an offset. Offset sheet faces loops, and other extracted objects can be used by other tools such as sweep. Options include extract edge from body, extract/offset face from solid, remove open gap from sheet body, and offset face/planar face loop.
• New Imprint Edge imprints edges into Faces, dividing them into discrete areas each of which can have its own material. 
• New Tweak Face Tool extends the face of an existing 3D solid object to the boundary that is defined by a sheet face, allowing users to easily create more complexed forms.
• Improved Revolve Face offers the ability to use a 2D profile to generate a revolve from the face of an existing 3D object and either add or subtract the result.
• New Slots Tools including Slot, Circular Slot, and Circular Slot By Center and Radius.
• New Point Cloud Support – TurboCAD Pro Platinum now offers tools to interpret a set of data points in X, Y, and Z coordinates, used to represent the external surface of an object. New Point Cloud Import/Export uses .PCD and .XYZ formats to transfer data. New Point Cloud Triangulation can extract a surface from a point cloud data set, and New Subset Point Cloud selects a subset of an existing point cloud to create a separate entity.
• Additional Enhancements include new 3D Slice by Facet, new Lofting to a Point, and a checkerboard pattern added to the Array / Pattern Tool. TurboCAD Pro 2016 and TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2016 also now use the ACIS R26 Kernel for its 3D modeling engine.

Architectural

• New Convert Roof Slabs - Take a classic TurboCAD roof, and convert it to a set of roof slabs. This makes it more convenient to create and edit custom roofs (clipped gable roof, dormer, etc...).
• New Trim Roof Slab by Plane - Allows users to trim a Roof Slab by the plane of other roof slabs, standard roofs, or walls.
• New/Improved IFC Object Support - The IFC file filter, used for building information management (BIM), now supports the Import and Export of Beam and Column object types. 
• Improved House Wizard for quickly laying out house plans now allows you to name each room while in the tool.
• Additional Enhancements include that ability to multi-landing stairs from a 2D polyline. Also, the Edit Roof Slab Tool now includes an input field.

Rendering

• New Redsdk 4.1 Engine with Photorealistic Enhancements including New Portals to designate objects as transparent to sky luminances, and New Tone Mapping Controls that are both interactive and graphical.
• Improved Render Manager and workflow of rendering components including materials, luminances, environments, and advanced render styles. The render manager also now supports the Dark Theme.
• Improved RedSDK Transparent fill support - Transparent fill now works the same in both Redsdk and GDI. A solid brush pattern can also be called a fill. 
• Additional Enhancements include new Active Drawing Components, improved Double Precision, and faster update of some objects in RedSDK mode.

User Interface

• New Highlighting of 3D objects and parts of 3D objects while using certain tools in Redsdk mode including imprinting, quick pull & 3D mirror copying.
• Improved Conceptual Selector – Users can now relocate the reference point and the rotation bars using the CTRL key. Also, scale handles are now available on the boundary boxes as in classic mode.
• New Spaces - Manage all your spaces through the design director including model space, and all paper spaces so you can handle spaces more efficiently than the tab interface allows. 
• New Show Normals - The visualization of the normals make it easier to estimate the smoothness and orientation of the 3D objects, and to find artifacts/defects on those objects.

General

• New/Improved Mirror Copy Tool for 3D Objects includes New Mirror along Face option and New Try to Create Single Object, plus operations are now recorded in the Part Tree. 
• New File Management Options – Improve workflow with New Backup of Open Documents on Program Close. The New File Buffer feature saves the Undo/Redo buffer.
• New ISO Circle/Grid - New tool allows you to easily construct isometric circles.

Interoperability

• New PRC 3D PDF Support – In addition to existing file export support of U3D PDF, TurboCAD now exports 3D content to PRC (Product Representation Compact) 3D PDF.
• Improved AutoCAD (DWG/DXF) - TurboCAD now uses the latest Teigha engine for the conversion of .DWG and .DXF files to and from TurboCAD for improved interoperability with other CAD applications.

Availability and Pricing

• TurboCAD Pro 2016 is now available for $1,495 USD for a full license, $399.99/year for an annual subscription. 
• TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2016 is now available for $1,695 USD for a full license, $499.99/year for an annual subscription. 

About IMSI/Design

IMSI/Design is the global leader in retail CAD (Computer Aided Design) and a pioneer in mobile solutions for the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, and Construction) industry. With over 16 million products distributed since 1988, IMSI/Design products include the award-winning TurboCAD, DesignCAD, TurboFloorPlan, TurboViewer and TurboSite families of precision design applications for desktop and mobile. For more information, visit www.TurboCAD.com or call IMSI/Design at 1.800.833.8082 (+1.415.483.8000).

Delcam ArtCAM Express 2015 R2 Supports 3D Printing

BIRMINGHAM, UK, Sep 22, 2015 - Delcam has made a number of enhancements to its ArtCAM Express software, including changes to make modelling easier and to speed up machining simulation. The price of this entry-level version of the company’s ArtCAM artistic CADCAM system, which is designed for hobbyists and users new to CNC machining, remains at US$149, £99 or 125 Euros.

ArtCAM Express 2015 R2 offers 2D drawing, over 600 free pieces of relief clipart, and 2D and standard 3D machining functions. It provides an ideal introduction to computer-based manufacturing for companies and hobbyists involved in engraving, routing and signmaking, or other areas of decorative metalworking and woodworking. A range of modules are available to add extra design and machining functionality.

Two options have been added in the 2015 R2 release of ArtCAM Express to help users to design with vectors. Firstly, snap hints now appear to help in spotting hard-to-find snap points within vectors when creating designs. Secondly, the thickness of vectors can be changed, in either the 2D or 3D view, making it easier to visualise the design.

Accuracy will also be helped by the addition of rulers in the 3D view to make it easier to create precise artwork and to position elements of the piece.

A combine/replace mode was added in ArtCAM Express 2015 for customers creating 3D designs from imported models or the relief clipart included with the software. The ability to overlap and intersect reliefs has been enhanced with a new option to interactively blend the reliefs. This allows relief clipart to be pulled up or pushed down in the Z axis to give a better blend with an overlapping 3D design.

The main machining enhancement in the 2015 R2 release is significantly faster machining simulations thanks to a new algorithm that uses the specialist processor in the computer’s graphics card to calculate thousands of operations simultaneously. This is a significant improvement over standard multi-threading. Another area of improvement is corner machining, where fillets can be added to vectors to allow more accurate machining of slots. In a related development, loops can be added for creating corners with knife cutting.

A further change to ArtCAM Express is the ability to export reliefs for 3D Printing as well as to machine them. Before, this was only possible with other members of the ArtCAM range. As well as the updates to the main ArtCAM Express program, the optional ‘Vector Tools’ module has been enhanced with better layer management. Firstly, multi-coloured vectors can be imported from DXF files as a single vector layer or as separate layers. Similarly, several layers can be exported simultaneously. Secondly, working on complex models with multiple layers can be simplified by merging any layers not being used and placing them in the project tree.

Full details on the new release and the opportunity to download an evaluation version, visit www.artcam.com/express.

IMSI/Design Releases TurboCAD Pro, Platinum 2015

NOVATO, CA, USA, Mar 21, 2015 - IMSI/Design, the developer of CAD in retail, announced the release of TurboCAD Pro 2015 and TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2015.

"We are continuing our support of Simple BIM with the addition of import support of Industry Foundation Class (IFC) files," stated Bob Mayer, President of IMSI/Design. "Enhancements like this, coupled with the robust suite of mechanical, architectural and general purpose drafting features, make 2015 one of our most innovative releases.”

To see a new feature video, click here.

TurboCAD Pro 2015 and TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2015 new and enhanced features include:

Architectural / Simple BIM

• New IFC Import (Platinum only): Simple Building Information Modeling (BIM) is now more advanced with the ability to import intelligent Walls, Doors, Windows, Slabs and Roofs saved in the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format, the industry standard for BIM information.
• Improve Roof Angles (Platinum only): TurboCAD now makes it easy to control the rise/run and/or degrees of a roof angle.
• New Slab Roof Object Types (Platinum only): TurboCAD now allows users to make a roof slab object type. With one slab, you can quickly create a flat roof, or use in conjunction with new roof angles, mitering, and edge cut tools to join several slabs together and create nearly any roof style.
• New Mitering of Roof Slabs (Platinum only): Select two or more roof slabs and have them “meet” automatically.
• New Roof Edge Cut Orientation (Platinum only): A new “Edge cut” roof property for roof slabs allows users to select different methods of roof building, either plumb or square.
• Improved Roof Modifier (Platinum only): Now you can quickly create holes in roofs for chimney’s, skylights, etc. and trim edges of roofs.

3D Modeling / Mechanical

• Improved Quick Pull: The popular Quick Pull tool now offers multiple selection, so you can manipulate several co-planar faces simultaneously. You can also thicken ACIS surfaces with the Quick Pull tool, and dynamically switch between Quick Pull and Imprint modes.
• New Wire Wrapping: Wrap a wire around a 3D solid for use as an extrusion or sweep path.
• Create Surface from Faces: When using the ACIS tool ‘Create Surface from Faces’ users can now retain the source object.
• Create Surface from Solid: When using the ‘Create Surface from Solids’ tool, users can now retain the source object.
• Improved Smooth Surface Mesh Tools (Platinum only): TurboCAD now offers a set of tools for editing a Smooth Surface Mesh (SMESH) as symmetrical model.
• Improved Drafting Object Breaks (Platinum only): When a drafting object is too large to display fully, TurboCAD allows users to add a break gap to abbreviate the displayed object, adjusting the break line properties including type (straight, zig-zag, wave, or heartbeat), gap value, color, and extension length. New TurboCAD 2015 supports multiple breaks per drafting object.
• Improved Unbend Sheet Tool (Platinum only): Now users can generate the required bend lines when the Unbend Sheet tool is used.

Productivity and Usability Enhancements

• New Conceptual Selector: Manipulate and modify 3D objects like never before. The totally flexible design of Conceptual Selector allows users to customize any visual and editing parameters available in the application (eg. Move, scale, or rotate).
• Improved Nudge: The TurboCAD Nudge function now offers more efficient pick-up and placement of selected object(s) using the numbers pad.
• Improved Block/Group Editing: While in block/group edit mode, users can now snap to objects outside the block or group.
• More Flexible UI: Users can now re-size dialog boxes as needed for their design environment. Adjust the screen size, resolution, and more. Works with the majority of dialog boxes including general property pages, multiline text, dimensions, program setup, and Drawing options pages.
• New Contact Manager & File Sharing: Users now have the ability to create and maintain contact lists and send files to individuals or groups from within TurboCAD.

Rendering and Visualization

• Improved RedSDK Rendering: Updated engine (to v3.5.0.2) and new displacement shader for more realistic materials.
• Dynamic Cutaway Plane (Platinum only): Cut away plane, for looking inside a 3D model, works in draft mode, in mixed draft and wireframe, and in mixed draft and hidden line modes.

Drafting and Detailing

• Improved Format Painter Tool (Platinum only): Use the Format Painter to transfer Custom Properties and Property Set Definitions (PSD) from one object to another. This huge productivity improvement is also a crucial feature for extending BIM/IFC models.
• New Dimension Units Format ‘By Drawing’: Users can now globally define dimension units at the drawing level.
• Improved Dimension Text: Dimension Text can be set to non-rotatable. With this property selected, dimension text will always face the user no matter the orientation of the drawing.
• Sorted Layers in Drop Down Lists: The Layers in the drop down and simple lists are now sorted as per the Design Director. If you change the control view order in Design Director the same ordering will be in all other Layer controls.
• Improved Trim Tools: New ability to trim hatched or closed objects and maintain the hatch or closure.
• Improved Join Polyline Tool: The Join Polyline Tool now works on Beziers and splines without converting them to a polyline, so that their original curve status is maintained.

Drafting and Detailing

• Improved AutoCAD (DWG/DXF): Read/write filters for 2013-2015. Dynamic blocks are imported as simple blocks.
• New SketchUp (SKP): Read/write filter based on SketchUp 2015.
• New Visual Effects for Exported Images: For any image that has been added to a TurboCAD drawing, you can now control the brightness, contrast, saturation, and transparency.

Pricing and Availability

TurboCAD Pro 2015 is priced at $1,495 while TurboCAD Pro Platinum 2015 is priced at $1,695 and both are now available. The annual subscriptions is also available.

For more information, download a 30-day trial, or to upgrade online, visit www.TurboCAD.com or call IMSI/Design at 1.800.833.80821.800.833.8082 FREE (+1.415.483.8000+1.415.483.8000).

About IMSI/Design

IMSI/Design is the global leader in retail CAD (Computer Aided Design) and a pioneer in mobile solutions for the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, and Construction) industry. With over 16 million products distributed since 1988, IMSI/Design products include the award-winning TurboCAD, DesignCAD, TurboFloorPlan, TurboViewer, TurboReview, and TurboSite families of precision design applications for desktop and mobile. For more information, visit www.IMSIdesign.com.

TraceParts Launches 8th Annual Design Contest

ST. ROMAIN, France, Nov 18, 2014 - TraceParts, one of the leading providers in the world of 3D digital content for design and engineering, has announced today that it is launching its 8th annual design competition.
 

The TraceParts engineer community, numbering more than 2 million CAD users, has been getting involved in this competition for eight years. This year, participants are invited to draw a place or monument in 3D that best represents their country, using CAD or image editing software. They can use as many CAD components as they wish, available for free on the TracePartsOnline.net portal. 

Entries & Prize:

• Entries should be submitted to info@traceparts.com before December 17, 2014 in a file no more than 1 MB in size.
• All the entries will be published on www.traceparts.com, and the best design will be revealed on December 24, 2014.
• Participation in this competition is anonymous, and the winner will be contacted by the TraceParts team to be awarded the prize for 2014, a 3D “RepRapPro” printer distributed by RS Components.

All the 3D files available on TracePartsOnline.net are compatible with the most popular native CAD software packages used, such as SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, Pro/E & Creo, Inventor, AutoCAD, Solid Edge, TopSolid, Geomagic Design, Kompas 3D, SpaceClaim, SketchUp, Autodesk Revit, ZW3D, Draftsight, HiCAD, TurboCAD and T-FLEX.

Most neutral CAD formats are also supported, in particular DWG, DXF, IGES, STEP, SAT, JT, VRML and many others including STL format, which is the standard format for CAD files used for 3D printing.

About TraceParts

TraceParts is a world-leading digital engineering 3D content company, offering progressive business software solutions for over 20 years through powerful web based products and services such as CAD part libraries, electronic catalogs and product configurators, helping part vendors to improve marketing efficiencies by increasing the value of their existing digital product data. The TracePartsOnline.net CAD portal is freely available to millions of CAD users worldwide, with hundreds of supplier catalogs and over 100 million CAD models and product datasheets suitable for the Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Maintenance processes. For more information about TraceParts, visit www.traceparts.com.

Open Design Alliance Releases Teigha 4.0

PHOENIX, AZ, Jun 22, 2014 - Open Design Alliance (ODA) announced the release of version 4.0 of Teigha, its software development platform for engineering applications.

Version 4.0 contains the alpha release of Teigha Cloud, ODA's new framework for cloud-based rendering of .dwg and .dgn files. Teigha Cloud allows ODA members to take full advantage of cloud-based computing resources and give their customers easy access to extensive information and powerful processing from small, inexpensive mobile devices with limited storage capacity.

By providing ODA members with a strong foundation for building cloud-based apps, Teigha Cloud minimizes time-consuming development. Crucially, it also gives members the freedom to deploy the applications they develop as they choose. With Teigha Cloud there is no obligation to buy into a specific hosting service and no risk of a third party locking up stored data.

"ODA's cloud strategy differs from most other companies in that our goals are openness and flexibility," said Neil Peterson, CTO of the ODA. "We are giving our members complete control so they can, for example, host applications themselves or deploy them on partner or customer sites."

Using Teigha Cloud, drawing files are stored on a remote server and can be accessed by a lightweight client within any WebGL-compatible browser. Standard rendering functions include zoom, pan, 3D rotation, visual styles, selection and layer control.

Teigha 4.0 also contains enhanced support for mobile platforms, including Java support for Android and improvements to Android and iOS rendering.

"Cloud technology is a key focus for us, but it's not a panacea," continues Peterson. "Native apps are the preferred choice for many situations, and Teigha fully supports native development on iOS and Android. Our aim is to provide choice for our members, and allow them to pick the right technology to meet their needs."

In addition Teigha 4.0 contains fixes for more than 400 member-reported issues. Teigha version 4.0 is available for download by ODA members at www.opendesign.com. A demo version of Teigha Cloud is available on the ODA member portal.

Alphacam 2014 R2 Released

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK, Jun 7, 2014 - Vero Software announces the release of Alphacam 2014 R2. Major enhancements to 5-axis toolpath functionality, along with the ability to automatically convert 2D design data to a 3D model, are included in the latest release of Alphacam, part of the Vero Software product portfolio. Updates to the Feature Extraction function also bring additional benefits to users.

The Alphacam 2014 R2 update includes several new and enhanced features which continue to demonstrate why Alphacam leads the way in improving productivity and flexibility for manufacturers, increasing their profitability.

Alphacam General Manager Nick Spurrett says: “There are a number of exciting new developments in Alphacam 2014 R2, including the ability to optimise 5-axis toolpaths to a specific machine configuration, and Part Modeler has been enhanced to convert DXF and DWG 2D drawings into 3D models.”

Amongst the new functionality and enhancements:

• 5-Axis Toolpath Optimiser: Using 2014 R2, operators can optimize 5-axis toolpaths to their specific machine configuration and rotational axis limits. As this is carried out at an operational level, any changes to the toolpath data or machine configuration will be highlighted and the operation can be easily updated and re-optimized. The enhanced tooling Machine Angles are readily available as Element attributes for post processing and also driving the new simulator. The complete operation is analyzed against the user settings, and where required the toolpath will be automatically split into separate sections, with options to maintain Feed Down and Lead In/Out settings on the modified toolpaths.
• Part Modeler: This now includes the ability to convert an imported DXF or DWG 2D drawing into a 3D model automatically. It works by simply defining the relevant views from a 2D file by using intelligent loop selection or tracing around the profile of the part. Using a combination of correctly oriented profile projections, a 3D solid model can be automatically constructed, ready for manufacture.
• Feature Extraction: Notable enhancements include a complete redesign of the Automatic Feature Extraction dialog with improved layout, images for each option and context sensitive help. In addition, partial hole extraction is possible by specifying a partial angle range and small hole chamfers can now be extracted with options on the Feature Configuration dialog to set the preferred tool directions for internal and external paths. Finally, all feature extraction commands will extract to the current workplane if possible, and the active user layer.
• Clamps and Fixtures: Enhancements enable more exact positioning and greater control against collisions as containment and positional geometry can now be set to better position clamps and fixtures against other data. Clamp moves can now be controlled using the new "Can Pop Up" option with improved Post Processor support.
• Nesting: Alphacam 2014 R2 includes a number of significant enhancements to the nesting capabilities. The three major developments to this are Kit Nesting, where each part in the nest can be assigned a kit number, so that kits of parts can be nested to the same sheet; setting a No Nest Zone to a sheet which will apply to all subsequent sheets; and the New Nesting Special Function (unique to the Vero Group Nester) which prevents nesting into part apertures. This release also includes a new Bridged Nesting option which will analyse the nest to determine the outer Toolpath and bridge the parts together, keeping the tool down in the material whilst all the parts are cut out, thus minimizing on tool lifts and re-positions.
• BTL Translator: New functionality now allows components to be produced which are suitable for nesting, and includes the option to create a CSV file for all processed nesting parts, which can be loaded directly into CAD to CAM, and Cabinet Door Manufacturing. In addition, there are several new processes, including a Notch/Rabbet, House, House Mortise and Dovetail Tenon, all standard joint and groove processes for the woodworking industry.

To know more about Alphacam 2014 R2, click here.

For more information, visit http://www.verosoftware.com.

Datakit Releases CrossManager 2014.1

LYON, France, Feb 28, 2014 - Datakit, a leading CAD Data Exchange Company releases CrossManager 2014.1 update for CAD converters, along with plugins and SDK toolkits.

Latest release comes with several CAD readers updates: SolidWorks 2014, Siemens NX9. This new update supports the reading of DWG/DXF 3D and Rhino formats.

For up-to-date version information, visit www.datakit.com/en/cross_manager.php.

Datakit is happy to welcome a new reference in CAE business.

DHCAE Tools offers customized analysis solutions for CFD and finite element analysis based on open source solver technology and has licensed Datakit technology to expand the range of CAD formats supported for CFD Modeling.

For more information about Datakit, visit www.datakit.com.

GRAPHISOFT NA Unveils ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2014

BOSTON, MA, Jan 20, 2014 - GRAPHISOFT North America announces the release ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2014 BIM software in the North American market. Shipping of ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2014 is anticipated to begin in early February.

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2014 is a full-fledged BIM solution with critical features most smaller practices need. Architects can take advantage of a full BIM toolset and create any type of Virtual BuildingTM model and architectural documentation (floor plans, sections/elevations, 3D views, details).

"ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2014 offers small firms, big software at a low price point. STAR(T) was already a huge value but with the addition of the MORPH and Shell tools, STAR(T) Edition 2014 is pretty much in a class of its own at this price point," said Steve Benford, managing director, GRAPHISOFT North America.

The feature set in STAR(T) 2014 includes all the necessary tools to create a BIM that is data-rich and able to produce all floor plans, sections/elevations, 3D views and details for a project. Advanced modeling tools such as the Shell tool, MORPH and priority-based connections are also included within STAR(T) 2014. Serving as a base for the latest ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2014, ArchiCAD 17's robust, well-tested engine satisfies the needs of a smaller practice. Therefore, ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition has most of the feature set, content and benefits of ArchiCAD 17, including:

• All the tools necessary to create the Building Information Model from which the architectural documentation (floor plans, sections/elevations, 3D views, details) as well as the bill of materials can be derived;
• Full access to ArchiCAD's 3D modeling capabilities including the Shell tool, the MORPH tool, the priority-based Junctions and GDL objects (up to version 17);
• Latest IFC, DWG and DXF file exchange capabilities to enable full, model-based and hybrid coordination workflow with consultants.

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT ignited the BIM revolution in 1984 with ArchiCAD, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as its revolutionary BIM Server, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment, EcoDesigner, the world's first fully BIM-integrated "GREEN" design solution and BIMx, the world’s leading mobile app for BIM visualization. GRAPHISOFT has been a part of the Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2007. For more information, visit http://www.graphisoft.com.