CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

June 2004

Product News

Delcam Launches PowerSHAPE Pro Design Software for Complex Design Work

Delcam has launched a new version of its PowerSHAPE hybrid modeling software that offers a complete solution for designers of complex shapes such as those found in the footwear, packaging, ceramics, sports equipment and electrical appliance industries. PowerSHAPE Pro includes all of the surface and solid modeling capabilities within PowerSHAPE, together with the PS-Draft drafting software and the PS-Render system for generating photo-realistic images.

Like other hybrid modelers, PowerSHAPE Pro combines the speed and ease-of-use of solid modeling with the design flexibility of surface modeling. This allows designers to select the optimum approach for each new project on a case-by-case basis, with none of the limitations found when using only solid modeling methods.

PowerSHAPE Pro offers total integration of solids and surfaces, with both sets of commands available from a single toolbar. For example, it enables Boolean operations to be undertaken between surfaces and solids, and also allows surface modeling commands to be used directly on a single surface of any solid, without disrupting the solid's integrity.

Unique functionality within PowerSHAPE Pro includes a range of powerful morphing commands for whole model edits of CAD models. These allow rapid styling changes to be made in a single operation that would otherwise require extensive, time-consuming modification of the separate elements in a design. They are, therefore, ideal for the "what if" stage of new product development, when designers need to generate quickly a number of variations on a new concept.

Also unique is the embossing technology that is at the heart of Delcam's Total Modelling approach to design. This allows design features generated with PowerSHAPE, or with Delcam's ArtCAM artistic software or the CopyCAD reverse engineering program, to be wrapped onto a CAD model. The size, position and orientation of the wrapped shape can be fully controlled by the user, giving a much more powerful and flexible alternative to Boolean addition.

Like PowerSHAPE, PowerSHAPE Pro is capable of handing poor quality data from other CAD systems or from reverse engineering software. The program includes the Solid Watertight Wizard that enables solids to be created from surfaces with gaps and overlaps. The Wizard links most surfaces automatically and also highlights any problems (typically less than 5%) that it cannot fix. Of, course, PowerSHAPE Pro contains a full range of tools to solve these problems.

 

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