Position Papers

Autodesk, Inc. today announced the availability of AutoCAD 2016, the latest release of one of the world’s leading computer-aided design (CAD) applications. The 2016 release includes scores of new features that accelerate the 2D and 3D design, documentation and collaboration process while enriching the on-screen experience of creating almost any shape imaginable. In addition, users can confidently share their work with others using TrustedDWG™ technology, the original and most accurate way to store and exchange design data. “AutoCAD 2016 makes detailing and documentation work faster, while stunning visual enhancements bring a new level of clarity and depth to every aspect of a design,” said Amy Bunszel, vice president of AutoCAD products, Autodesk. “Our customers will also appreciate productivity boosts like enhanced PDF output and tighter coordination with Building Information Modeling (BIM).” “The enhancements brought this product to another level,” said senior architect, Dr. Santi Maggio Savasta, M.Arch, Ph.D., with Santi Maggio Savasta Architect. “The improvements

The iconic “Rocky Steps” will lead attendees of the Vectorworks Design Summit to a Customer Appreciation Party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Hosted by global design software developer Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., the party will bring together architecture, landscape and entertainment design visionaries, Vectorworks software engineers and global partner product providers for a night of fun, which begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. ET. In addition to dinner and an open bar, attendees will enjoy Back2Life, a high-energy, eight-piece dance band, as well as access to world-class holdings of European and American paintings, prints, drawings and decorative arts, including the current Japanese exhibit, “Ink and Gold: Art of Kano.” Party attendees will also get to see the visual impact of a Vectorworks design first-hand as a local Vectorworks user has signed on to light the museum party. “Having such an iconic museum as a

Once again, ModuleWorks has been confirmed as one of the best places to work! In the 2015 nationwide survey of IT employers across all of Germany, ModuleWorks is recognized as one of the 50 best employers in the IT industry for the 2nd year in a row. ModuleWorks is a leading developer of CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) plug-in software components with headquarters in Aachen, Germany and three international subsidiaries. It licenses its components to other CAD/CAM software companies and academic institutions around the globe. These software components can be viewed as the building blocks that underpin many of the most popular CAD/CAM software products around the world. The 3rd annual survey to find “Best IT Employers” for 2015 was organized by Great Places To Work® in co-operation with their media partner, Computerwoche. Great Place to Work is a global research, consulting and training organization that helps businesses develop great workplaces. Their research

Trimble today introduced an update to 3D Warehouse, its online platform for sharing and downloading free 3D models and materials. A key component of the SketchUp 3D modeling software, 3D Warehouse connects designers to free, high-quality 3D content.   Every year, millions of SketchUp designers rely on 3D Warehouse to easily import prebuilt models directly into design projects. Today's release provides social enhancements that encourage communication and sharing with other SketchUp designers, including architects, interior designers, engineers, construction firms as well as building product manufacturers. In addition to user-generated models, 3D Warehouse offers free 3D product models from hundreds of premier brands, including Bosch Appliances, Herman Miller, Kohler, Marvin Windows, Natuzzi and Teknion as well as surfaces and materials from Caesarstone, Formica and Sherwin Williams. "Architects and designers are looking for ways to make well informed product decisions," said Mike Tadros, 3D Warehouse product manager. "3D Warehouse is the go-to site for designers looking

SPRING Technologies announces version 2.6 of NCSIMUL Tool, its real-time cutting tool data and process management solution. Optimised cutting parameter traceability, greater flexibility, computing power, and enhanced ergonomics with direct access to elements from the assemblies window offer NCSIMUL Tool users all the functionalities they need to achieve greater and more secure productivity. Another key new feature of NCSIMUL Tool 2.6 is the partnership with Machining Cloud enabling uses to directly access and download very precise cutting tool data (3D models, cutting conditions, and tool parameters), supplied by the world’s leading tool makers such as Kennametal and WIDIA. “By teaming up with Machining Cloud and harnessing our leading-edge technologies, we have enhanced NCSIMUL Tool 2.6, which now offers quick and easy tool updates, better traceability and optimal security via the Cloud”, explains Olivier Bellaton, Managing Director, SPRING Technologies. The main new features of NCSIMUL Tool 2.6 Data imports via the Cloud with Machining Cloud; Enriched

TraceParts now offers over 100 million 3D CAD models in its online library: TracePartsOnline.net Publishing 3D catalogues and making CAD models available free of charge have become essential professional tools for suppliers of industrial components who want to work with their customers’ design offices. As early as 2005, TraceParts began providing innovative solutions for downloading 3D files from hundreds of manufacturers and industrial distributors directly via their websites. Integrated using web-service systems and APIs, these platforms enabled design offices to validate and incorporate components in their projects in just a few clicks. Drawing on this success, TraceParts extended its service offer by enabling CAD users to download all the 3D models from the TracePartsOnline.net library, in CAD formats corresponding to their design software, thereby eliminating any risk of file corruption during conversion operations. From 2010, systems for delivering CAD models became an essential service for the majority of industrial component suppliers. In order to seek a

MecSoft Corporation has announced the availability of VisualCAM 2015 for SOLIDWORKS, a major version release for MecSoft’s integrated Gold Certified CAM solution for SOLIDWORKS. VisualCAM 2015 for SOLIDWORKS includes 2 CAM modules known as VisualCAM-MILL for SOLIDWORKS, and VisualCAM-TURN for SOLIDWORKS, each of which run integrated inside the SOLIDWORKS CAD program and can be bought and licensed independent of each other. Both modules were significantly enhanced and improved in this 2015 release to provide customers with a powerful and complete manufacturing platform. “With this release we are continuing to strengthen our fully integrated CAM product for SOLIDWORKS. Both the MILL and the TURN modules of this product have been greatly improved based on user input and together with the seamless integration inside SOLIDWORKS, we continue to provide leading edge manufacturing capabilities for SOLIDWORKS users worldwide.” stated Joe Anand, President and CEO of MecSoft Corporation. To view the original press release, please click here.

IronCAD announced IRONCAD COMPOSE Mobile for iPad, a professional 3D collaboration application that offers secure viewing, collaboration, and configuration for design data published by IronCAD's desktop suite of products. IRONCAD COMPOSE Mobile is more than just a free viewer, it is a valuable tool for communicating 3D design concepts directly on a mobile device anywhere at any time. The download is free to everyone for the initial release; from designers wishing to share their designs to a sales person presenting and configuring their company's products at the point of sale. Everyone in a team can leverage existing design data from any CAD system by reading it into the IronCAD Design Collaboration Suite (DCS) Desktop products and publishing securely to the COMPOSE Mobile device as files or catalogs components. From there, interrogate the geometry, add commentary, configure new assemblies, and share the designs back to IronCAD DCS users for further collaboration in real-time

Delcam Professional Services is offering free Custom Software Core software to speed up and simplify the automation of repetitive operations in Delcam's PowerSHAPE design and reverse engineering software, and PowerMILL CAM system.  The software can be downloaded from www.delcam-services.com/custom-software-core Even though both PowerSHAPE and PowerMILL incorporate automatic routines as part of the software, many experienced users like to customise the software to automate further standard, repetitive operations specific to their application or product range.  Typically, this is done by recording a sequence of operations as a macro that can be replayed when a similar calculation, or series of calculations, is required.  For more complex operations, this can be a time-consuming process and can produce an intricate string of commands that is difficult for other users to understand or to edit. The Custom Software Core is a library of middleware that allows users to develop code more intuitively than using macros when interfacing .NET applications to PowerSHAPE and/or

Purple Platypus, Inc., a certified Stratasys 3D printer reseller in Arizona, Nevada and Southern California, receives Platinum Reseller status from Stratasys. Stratasys’ selection process for Platinum Level Partner is based on various performance metrics, in-house expertise, and training advancements. The Platinum Level Reseller title is the most recent achievement added to Purple Platypus’ multiple accolades including: Top Distributor (2009), Top Dealer Total Bookings (2010), Top Dealer Desktop Bookings (2010), Outstanding Dealer Over 100% Quota Achievement (2010), Top Dealer Worldwide (2010), Outstanding Dealer Over-Achieved Booking Quota (2011), Outstanding Reseller for Quota Over-Achievement (2012), Outstanding Dealer Over 100% Quota Achievement (2014), and our very own David Cox and Gabriel Suppes were named Top 15 Stratasys Sales Representatives (2014). To view the original press release, please click here.