Issue #115: 7 July, 1998

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    • upFront #114 raised some issues that might affect CAD users in the future: (1) the possibility of viruses being transferred in drawing files that use code to define objects; and (2) whether CAD software will work in the transition to 2000. The first issue is a sleeper; the second issue generated mail from several CAD vendors, who provided their Year 2000 statements. You can read them in this issue. Also in this issue, 15 job opportunities await you in the Want Ads section. Last week, Autodesk countered two of its competitors: Bentley Systems' MicroStation/J and the OpenDWG Alliance:

    AutoCAD Works With Java

    Autodesk announced, via a telephone press conference, that Microsoft Visual J++ works with AutoCAD Release 14. Here is how it works: Java communicates with AutoCAD through the ActiveX/COM interface that both of them have. Explains an Autodesk white paper, "It utilizes the Microsoft Win32 virtual machine for Java that is part of the Microsoft Visual J++ development environment." To write Java apps for R14, you need:

    1. Microsoft's free Java VM from http://www.microsoft.com/java
    2. Autodesk's free library of AutoCAD ActiveX objects imported as Java classes from http://www.autodesk.com/java
    3. Microsoft's Visual J++, not free.

    Autodesk said they tested only two versions of Java, from Microsoft and from Sun. They found only the Microsoft implementation of the COM model worked correctly with AutoCAD.  [Editor's note: The Visual J++ installation demands to install Internet Explorer (no choice) and three -- three! -- reboots to complete.]

     Autodesk says that by providing Java support via the VM, they are not burdening users of AutoCAD with support for code that isn't necessarily being used. In addition, this allows Java programmers to find work with AutoCAD third- party developers.

    Bentley Systems vp Yoav Etiel reacted: "Congratulations. What took them so long?" He added, "At the press conference announcing Java in MicroStation /J, Keith Bentley challenged other software developers to follow suit. I am glad to see Autodesk acknowledge Bentley was right to sense the enterprise's wish for Java." Etiel went on to note that "the proposed implementation will do nothing to the limited choice of platforms Autodesk offers." Autodesk says of Java, "Projects should not be constrained by software," yet constrains the choice in operating systems by eliminating all operating systems in R14, other than Windows 95/NT.

    Autodesk Renames DWF "Open DWF"

    To counter the OpenDWG movement, Autodesk has modified the name of its DWF file format to "Open DWF". DWF is a "plotter" format that converts an AutoCAD drawing into a simple, compressed, vector file for faster transmission over the Internet.

     Two weeks ago, the OpenDWG Alliance (of which Autodesk is not a member) announced they now have 114 paying members and 3,700 non-paying members (a non-paying member is one who has downloaded one of the OpenDWG toolkits from http://www.opendwg.org ). Last week, Autodesk announced that it has over 175 developers in its "Open DWF developer community."

    Java-based DWF Browser

    Tying the two previous announcements together, Autodesk last week announced an alliance with Arnona Internet Software. CADViewer Light is a Java applet that displays DWF files; CADViewer was announced earlier this year in upFront.eZine. Because it is written in Java, CADViewer Light runs on any computer with a Java Virtual Machine (often included with your Web browser) and does not require the installation of a plug-in or client software.  CADViewer Pro is a commercial version that adds redlinning. The Light version can be downloaded free from http://www.cadviewer.com

    Year 2000 Compliance

    One reader's question about year-2000 compliance by CAD software drew responses, in some cases too long to print in full. In general, "older" CAD software may have problems but newer software should not. Engineering Automation Report comments on the Y2K problem: "It is a significant problem but probably no where near as catastrophic as the pessimists make it out to be. Look carefully at who is writing most of these scare articles. They are the consultants who would love to drum up additional business helping your company solve this problem." The article in the July '98 issue does warn that companies using COBOL programs need to be concerned the most, especially in engineering design, analysis, and PDM.

    Here is a summary of what I received from CAD vendors:

    Richard Boothman has started to collect Y2K data on CAD programs.  This site lists information from these additional vendors: Autodesk, NC Microproducts, Cimlogic, Framework Technologies, and Intergraph.

    The CAD vendors warn that their CAD software is safe from Y2K problems, but the hardware on which you run the software may not be. In computer hardware, the problem usually lies with the BIOS. From InfoWorld, "these are the cut-off dates for some major PC vendors. All systems bought after this date are guaranteed to be year-2000 compliant:"

    The real problem may not occur on 1 January 2000, but around the year 2038. Many non-PC platforms (such as Macintosh and PalmPilot) and some software programs (such as AutoCAD and TurboCAD) use a long integer to count the number of seconds from the year 1904. This means the hardware and software will not operate past the year 2038 or will not install. Is doubtful we will be using any of today's hard- and software 40 years hence but it is important to understand that it is the programming technique that causes the problem (just as the technique of using a two-digit year that is causing the problems for beyond 1999).

    Bentley Implements New Developer Program

    Bentley Systems has revamped their third-party developer support system, giving it a new name and giving developers a new contract to sign. Called the Bentley Enterprise Developer Program, it costs US$1,500 per year per development site. The program provides one copy of the software and documentation with multi-station, single-site license; pre-release software; reduced training fees in some cases; technical support; and marketing support. A clause affecting the independence of software reviews states, "Member may not disclose the results of any benchmark test of the applications to any third-party without Bentley's prior written consent."

    In comparison, Autodesk charges US$495 per year and higher, depending on the product and the size of the third- party developer team. Visio charges a flat rate of US$195 per year for IntelliCAD developer support. GraphiSoft charges US$495 for ArchiCAD developer support, plus you get a free mug.

    Autodesk Unloads Home CAD Software

    Broderbund Software has acquired the Picture This Home and Designer's Vision product lines from Autodesk. In the deal, Broderbund acquire the rights to the software titles, technology, and 45 Autodesk personnel for an undisclosed price.

     Autodesk vp Godfrey Sullivan said, "Autodesk has been successful in the consumer design market with the Picture This Home series and other products. However, we feel that Broderbund is better suited to carry the Picture This Home line forward because of their strength in reaching the home design consumer, both through retail and direct-to-consumer channels." With 40% of the marker, Broderbund has the #1 position in the home design category.

    upFront on the PalmPilot

    The upFront.eZine newsletter is now available in three formats. PalmPilot Aportis-DOC format joins plain text and HTML. The German version of upFront.eZine, translated each week by Christian Immler, can be downloaded in DOC format from http://clic.home.pages.de  To read the format, you need the free Aportis Doc reader form http://www.aportis.com . To convert HTML files to the Pilot's DOC format, check out http://web2doc.home.ml.org

     Die deutsche Ausgabe von upfront.eZine gibt es jetzt auch im DOC-Format für den PalmPilot. Die Texte können auf den Seiten von http://clic.home.pages.de online in das DOC- Format für den Aportis-Reader für PalmPilot konvertiert werden. Den Aportis-Reader können Sie bei http://www.aportis.com kostenlos herunterladen.
     

    CAD and Internet News

    Ashlar
    New address is 100 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose CA 95051, +1 (800) 877-2745

    Great Lakes AutoCAD User Group
    GLAUG meetings are held once per month, usually the 4th Thursday of the month in the evening. Contact Dale Batko for more info.

    PTC
    PTC received a US$1.8 million order for software and services from Deere.

    Visio
    Evaluation copy of Caliper Automated LAN/WAN Design Tool from network tools is being packaged with Visio Network Equipment software.

    Tech Q&A

    Q: "Do you know anything about a surfacing product from Italy called Solid Thinking?"

    A: Editor replies: Doing a search on Alta Vista, I come up with this list of lists:  http://www.3dsite.com/cgi/software-packages-index.html
    Further research shows the product is called solidThinking and their url is:  http://www.gestel.com/solid/

    The WorthWhile Web

    http://www.bugnet.com/alerts/bugalert.html
    BugNet
    Windows 98 does not work on some newer notebooks from Dell, Toshiba, and Gateway. The Microsoft product has an incompatibility with the ROM in these computers.

    http://www.KachinaTech.COM/Metalman
    The new URL for Metalman Corporation.

    http://www.rhino3d.com
    Rhinoceros
    Download Rhino, a US$795 3D NURBS modeler for Windows 95 from Robert McNeel & Asssoc.

    http://www.aibd.org
    Good site for residential designers. Some CAD web boards and chat.
         -- Thanks to Joe Stoddard

    Letters to the Editor

    "The stuff on programs in CAD data is very true and rather a worry. Word macro viruses are now the most common form of viruses. Fortunately, they generally can't do really terrible things (so far); just be a bloody nuisance."
         -- Geoff Harrod

    "Keep on the edge of CAD information, well done!!"
         -- Ander Cendoya

    "Excellent source of info! As an example, soon after reading about Piranesi in a recent issue, I researched it and less than two weeks later had it installed and running as yet another application in one of our courses at the Boston Architectural Center!"
         -- Diego Matho

    "I have enjoyed reading upFront for quite a long time. Now I'm leaving the CAD world (after 12 years) and don't need it anymore. I'll miss your CAD news but I just don't have the mental capacity to follow it and learn my new job, too.
    Thanks."
         -- Ed Moore

    [Editor's note: Ed was subscriber #12.]

    Spin Doctor of the Moment

    "Now With Bigger, Juicier Raisins!"
         -- Kellogg's Two Scoops Raisin Bran cereal box. This means consumers previously ate smaller, drier raisins with their bran cereal.

    Contact!

    All contents copyright XYZ Publishing, Ltd. Inc., 1998 and all rights are reserved. No material may be reproduced electronically or in print without written permission from XYZ Publishing, PO Box 3053, Sumas WA, 98295-3053, unless otherwise noted.