CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
8 September 2004
Product News
Free Form® ConceptT v2.0 Software Delivers Robust and Affordable Touch-enabled 3D Modeling Tool for Conceptual Designers
SensAble Technologies, Inc.® announced that version 2.0 of the FreeForm® ConceptT software is now shipping. The FreeForm Concept system is a unique touch-enabled system that gives designers a fast and intuitive way to develop realistic 3D conceptual designs. By creating a linkage between conceptualization and engineering, the FreeForm Concept system accelerates the transition from sketches to 3D model thereby shortening the product development cycle. The version 2.0 software includes the new modeling tools: Shape, Emboss with Image, and Emboss with Wrapped Image, import of 3D IGES files, updated rendering, mass properties calculation, support for new graphics boards, and performance enhancements that increase productivity.
Since its introduction in November 2003, the FreeForm Concept system has been adopted by designers in multiple industries and by leading academic institutions. The intuitive, designer-oriented UI, and the ability to use true 3D navigation and the sense of touch to manipulate virtual "clay" models means designers and design students become productive quickly.
"We recently purchased 20 FreeForm Concept systems for our design curriculum," said Professor Yanta Lam, of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Design. "We now have the opportunity to offer our students the latest technology for digital 3D conceptual design. This will help them in the job market because the popularity of the FreeForm haptic modeling systems is growing rapidly in the Great China region, especially in the toy industry. I am impressed with the designs that the users have done with the FreeForm Concept v1.0. Version 2.0 should generate even more impressive work."
The FreeForm Concept v2.0 software adds new modeling features, updated rendering and hardware support, and performance enhancements that speed the modeling process and improve productivity:
• Shape-Local area patches can be created and edited with section curves.
• Emboss with Image-2D images can be projected and then depressed into or pulled out of the clay.
• Emboss with Wrapped Image-An image can be inserted in a specified area before embossing.
• Import 3D IGES-Existing IGES solids can be imported, rasterized into clay and modified.
• Model Evaluation-Users can evaluate the weight, surface area, volume and center-of-gravity of individual pieces or models with multiple pieces of varying densities.
• Integration of the mental ray® v3.3 rendering engine-Enables photorealistic rendering of larger models than possible with FreeForm Concept v1.0 software.
• More NVIDIA and ATI graphic boards were certified for v2.0, making the certified hardware list current with the FreeForm® ModelingT supported hardware list.
• Performance Enhancements-on average, a 44% improvement over FreeForm Concept v1.0 features.
"The goal of the version 2.0 release was to increase the productivity for conceptual designers in a number of industries, such as jewelry, footwear, toys, and education," said Olimpio DeMarco, Director, FreeForm® Product Management. "By enhancing the modeling features, improving the system performance, and giving the user more control in the design process, we believe that our goal has been achieved. Our beta test users were delighted with the FreeForm Concept v2.0 software."
Pricing and Availability
The FreeForm Concept system is sold with the Phantom® OmniT haptic device. Special, limited-time educational pricing starts at MSRP U.S. $2,000 per seat for classrooms of 20 seats or more. Commercial pricing for a quantity of one is MSRP U.S. $4,900, which includes the first year of hardware and software maintenance. Prices stated above may vary worldwide based on value-added services and support, importation, duties, taxes, shipping, etc. The system runs on Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows 2000. FreeForm Concept customers with active maintenance contracts will automatically receive the v2.0 update at no extra charge. For more information or to purchase the FreeForm Concept system, please contact info@sensable.com or +1-781-937-8315 in the U.S. or contact an authorized FreeForm Reseller near you.
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