Bricsys Releases BricsCAD V16

GENT, Belgium, Oct 28, 2015 - Bricsys announces the release of its flagship design software, BricsCAD V16. The innovative CAD system powers 2D drafting, 3D modeling, sheet metal design, and BIM architecture -- all on the world standard .dwg file format. It is available on Windows, and soon Mac and Linux.

New 2D and 3D Functions in V16

BricsCAD V16 significantly expands the function of the unique Quad cursor so that it also draws objects, in addition to editing them. The Quad is easily customized in V16.

Users make better drawings through the new dynamically associative array function that creates and edits linear, rectangular, polar, 3D array, and arrays along paths. As well, transparency can be applied to objects, layers, and plotted out. Text is enhanced multi-column paragraphs and automatic stacking of fractions.

Now map tiles can be placed from online cartographic services, and drawings can be located accurately using geographic coordinates.

BricsCAD V16 expands 3D object creation to 3D surfaces, which can be edited just like 3D solids, including those imported from other CAD programs. The new release imports and heals assemblies from MCAD programs like Solidworks and Inventor; in addition, it imports 3D models from the popular SketchUp conceptual modeling tool, and BIM data from IFC files.

BricsCAD BIM (building information model) for architectural design synchronizes 3D models with 2D sections, plans, and details, and reads and writes IFC files from other BIM systems. All building materials and compositions in the BIM database are accessible through the dockable BIM panel. BricsCAD creates room objects in V16 that are bounded by wall objects. Choose windows and doors from the library, or else create your own by setting parameters in the Properties panel.

The redesigned drawing generation feature lets users generate 2D drawings, details, sections, and sheet sets in seconds from 3D, BIM, and sheet metal models using styles.

BricsCAD Sheet Metal

In BricsCAD V16, the sheet metal functions become an optional add-on. New functions in V16 include automatic feature coloring, lofted bends, and additional junction and relief shapes. The all-new batch processing facilities allows users to quickly produce families of sheet metal parts of different sizes. Support for CAM systems is extended to CYBELEC and DELEM.

Hundreds of Third-party Applications

Bricsys’ strong relationship with third-party application developers means users have access to more than 400 applications running on top of BricsCAD. Click here, to browse the online app store. 

The extensive BricsCAD development platform boasts nine programming interfaces, allowing developers to rapidly port applications from other .dwg-based CAD programs, usually without modifying any source code. To learn more about the easy 1-2-3 process to join and post your add-on software, visit www.bricsys.com/bricscad/developers/.

Pricing and Availability

The English version of BricsCAD V16 for Windows is available now. Additional languages and platforms will be released in the weeks to come. The free download provides a 30-day trial of all functions of the Platinum edition.

With BricsCAD you get more for less. Pricing of BricsCAD V16 starts at just €410/$520 for the Classic edition. Other editions and additional solutions offer Sheet Metal design, BIM planning, and 3D data exchange -- all based on the .dwg format.

About Bricsys

Bricsys is a global provider of dwg engineering design software brought to market under the BricsCAD brand. With relentless commitment to the success of the BricsCAD community, Bricsys is focused on providing an industrial strength CAD software platform and industry leading support at a compelling price to customers in the AEC, GIS, civil engineering, process and power, and mechanical CAD markets. Founded in 2002, Bricsys is a founding member of the Open Design Alliance. For more information, visit http://www.bricsys.com. 

Luxion KeyShot 5.2 Supports SolidWorks 2015

IRVINE, CA, USA, Mar 7, 2015 - Luxion, a leading developer of advanced rendering and lighting technology and maker of KeyShot, the first real time ray tracing and global illumination program, is pleased to release KeyShot 5.2, with support for SolidWorks 2015 and additional performance and stability improvements.

In preparation of the next major release of KeyShot, Luxion continues to make improvements focused on the speed of creating product visuals, increasing performance and ensuring support for widest array of 3D file formats. KeyShot 5.2 addresses key performance improvements in the new features released with KeyShot 5 along with other updates to increase stability.

Among the most important updates is new support for SolidWorks 2015 file format on both Mac and PC. This allows SolidWorks users to import SolidWorks 2015 files directly from the KeyShot interface. The updated KeyShot plugin for SolidWorks also supports import of SolidWorks 2015 files with LiveLinking to send geometry updates over to KeyShot. The plugin is available free of charge and can be downloaded from the KeyShot website here. Additional updates include optimizations to motion blur, color accuracy, focused caustics and visibility of emissive material.

Pricing & Availability

KeyShot 5.2 is delivered as the final point release for KeyShot 5 and available immediately for download as a free upgrade to all customers with subscription. KeyShot starts at $995 with Pro versions and add-ons for Animation and interactive KeyShotVR capabilities. For more information or questions about upgrading contact sales@luxion.com.

About Luxion

Luxion is a leading developer of advanced 3D rendering and lighting technology. KeyShot is the first realtime ray tracing application that uses a physically correct render engine based on scientific research in the areas of scientifically accurate material representation and global illumination. Addressing the visualization needs of designers, engineers, marketing professionals, photographers and CG specialists, KeyShot breaks down the complexity of creating photographic images and animations from 3D digital data. Luxion’s customer list includes many of the Fortune 1000 product manufacturers and major industrial design companies including Chrysler, Fossil, Microsoft, Motorola, Procter & Gamble, Skullcandy, IDEO and SMART Design. For more information, visit www.keyshot.com.

Autodesk Releases Backburner 2015 Windows Version for 3ds Max/Design

Dec 23, 2014 - Autodesk releases a Windows standalone install version of the Backburner 2015 software for 3ds Max / 3ds Max Design 2015.

For more information and to download, click here.

AVEVA Releases E3D Insight Mobile App for Plant Design Review

CAMBRIDGE, UK, Mar 17, 2014 - AVEVA announced that AVEVA E3D Insight is now commercially available for project decision makers in the power, process plant and mining industries. This Windows 8.1 app enables mobile users to comment and approve AVEVA Everything3D (AVEVA E3D) designs from a tablet device. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, AVEVA E3D Insight demonstrates AVEVA's commitment to anticipating and meeting changing customer requirements by offering the ability to inspect, comment upon, and approve designs at any time, from anywhere around the world.

AVEVA E3D Insight allows the user to annotate design snapshots and photographs with text and markup to make specific observations or guidance notes.

AVEVA E3D Insight streamlines the design review and approval process to support Lean business practices. It maximizes project efficiency by providing authorized users with secure, direct access to the live AVEVA E3D design model, regardless of their location, 24 hours a day.

'Over the years we have seen how many companies struggle to effectively collaborate across their supply chain,' said Bruce Douglas, SVP Product Strategy and Marketing, AVEVA. 'AVEVA E3D Insight overcomes this challenge by providing an innovative and intuitive mobile platform on touch-enabled tablets and laptops connecting directly to the design model and its community of designers. The improved reach and efficiency of collaboration that AVEVA E3D Insight brings is an important component of AVEVA's revolutionary Design for Lean Construction initiative. Initial feedback from customer evaluations, including WorleyParsons and Technip, as well as user meetings has demonstrated strong alignment with industry requirements.'

Even before its full commercial release, AVEVA E3D Insight had already scooped the coveted UK tech award Tech Innovation of the Year, against strong competition from many of the UK's leading technology companies.

AVEVA E3D Insight enables users on the move to:

• Visualise - The user can quickly and clearly see the AVEVA E3D model and its associated information
• Inspect - The user can inspect, manipulate and measure the model to check for such potentially critical issues as object clashes, accessibility and non-compliance with design standards
• Comment - The user can liaise directly with the project’s design team and leave a permanent record of feedback in the AVEVA E3D database itself. Key decisions are recorded without users being forced to collate multiple comments
• Approve - Authorised users can set model status to pre-configured approval levels 

To download related business paper, click here.

For more information visit http://www.aveva.com or contact futureofplantdesign@aveva.com or call +44 (0)1223 556655.

AVEVA Launches E3D Insight App for Windows 8.1

CAMBRIDGE, UK, Oct 31 - AVEVA today launched of AVEVA E3D Insight, the Windows 8.1 app that enables project decision makers in the power, process plant and mining industries to view and approve AVEVA Everything3D (AVEVA E3D) designs from a mobile tablet device. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, AVEVA E3D Insight demonstrates AVEVA's commitment to anticipating and meeting changing customer requirements by offering the ability to inspect, comment upon, and approve designs at any time, from anywhere around the world.

AVEVA E3D Insight streamlines the design review and approval process to support Lean business practices. It maximizes project efficiency by providing authorized users with direct access to the live AVEVA E3D design model, regardless of their location, 24 hours a day.

'We are thrilled to be partnering with Microsoft to support their strategy of "devices and services", and the new wave of touch-enabled Windows 8.1 devices are providing exciting opportunities for both EPC and Owner Operator customers alike,' said Dave Wheeldon, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Engineering Design & Systems, AVEVA.

'AVEVA E3D Insight enables our customers to improve their business practices, to collaborate more effectively across their projects and to eliminate the delays and decision bottlenecks caused by critical stakeholders being out of the office. In short, it gives them the tools they need to improve their decision-making. Whether reviewing project progress or discussing specific design issues, the new Windows 8.1 app from AVEVA provides global real-time direct access to AVEVA E3D information.'

AVEVA E3D Insight enables users on the move to:

• Visualize - The user can see the AVEVA E3D model and its associated information quickly and clearly.
• Inspect - The user can inspect, manipulate and measure the model to check for such potentially critical issues as object clashes, accessibility and non-compliance with design standards.
• Comment - The user can liaise directly with the project’s design team and leave a permanent record of feedback in the AVEVA E3D database itself. No more collating of comments is required and key decisions are recorded.
• Approve - Authorised users can set model status to customer-defined approval levels.

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

Autodesk Issues Model Documentation Hotfix for Windows 8.1 64-bit

This hotfix fixes Model Documentation and IMPORT command related issues on Windows 8.1 64-bit version.

For more information and to download this hotfix, click here.