Users of earlier versions are not able to view the DWG files created in AutoCAD 2000, and AutoCAD 2000 is unable to save to versions of DWG earlier than AutoCAD Release 12. "We knew that AutoCAD 2000 would introduce a new set of challenges for both CAD developers and users, and the ODA has shown that it is up to the challenge," said Evan Yares, executive director of ODA.
ExtremeZ SAN includes a high-speed Fiber Channel controller from Q-Logic, a Fiber Channel hub from Vixel, and Mercury Computer Systems' SANergy software, along with a storage options from Intergraph Computer Systems. Price starts at US$12,000.;
This is the first version of DataCAD to use OpenDWG technology. "The proprietary DWG format has dominated the A/E/C market for years," said ceo Mark Madura, "DataCAD's support of the DWG file format, and the efforts of the OpenDWG Alliance to make DWG an open standard are significant because it gives A/E/C professionals the freedom to choose software based on its merits, rather than its drawing file format. "
DataCAD has more than 250,000 architectural users. DataCAD 8.5 retails for US$995, with a promo price of US$695 thru Aug 31.
Kyocera unveiled VisualPhone, a cellular phone that transmits the caller's
picture and voice; the images are displayed on a two-inch active-matrix
LCD display.
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http://www.pcworld.com/pcwtoday/article/0,1510,11050,00.html
Now a new offer: donations of US$25 or more also receive a fine-looking metallic blue pen, with gold and silver-color trim, and laser-etched 'upFront.eZine'. Mail to: XYZ Publishing, 34486 Donlyn Ave, Abbotsford BC, V2S 4W7, Canada.
Lightscape R3.2 is new stand-alone software from Autodesk for simulating lighting in DWG models. The product is due to ship in June.
Autodesk has always had a non-transferable license agreement, but has allowed exceptions to the policy. Due to the online auction sites on the Internet, a "used-license" market has emerged and requests for license transfers and serial number inquiries from customers have mushroomed. Autodesk is changing its exception policy to no longer allow transfers of license between individuals or separate companies, effective on May 31.
The VIP Program has surpassing all unit and revenue expectations, Autodesk says, to the point that "it has become clear that it is not always advisable to allow customers who own the current version of a product to subsequently add a VIP subscription to that product late in the release cycle."
Bentley Systems
ModelCity Jerusalem
is a 3D virtual model of the ancient city and its man-made structures.
MicroStation/J was been used for 2D and 3D design and modeling. MicroStation
Descartes provided imaging functions, including integration of photographs
and maps with engineering drawings. GeoTerrain by GEOPAK made the digital
terrain modeling. Silicon Graphics 320 and 540 workstations provided the
computing power required by this large-scale modeling and design project.
BricsNet
The specification of its new BricsNet Architect product is available
from http://www.bricsnet.com/ .
BricsNet Architect is a new high-end architectural solid modeling solution
for AutoCAD and Visio's IntelliCAD. BricsNet has plans for an IPO later
this year.
Diehl Graphsoft
For the second consecutive year, Diehl Graphsoft has earned a place
on the Soft*Letter 100, an annual ranking by calendar year revenues of
the one hundred leading PC software developers in USA.
Diehl Graphsoft is this week showing "Armadillo", a vertical market product specifically for architectural design professionals. It is scheduled for release in September.
Jos Groot Lipman
Better WMF v2.50 is available at http://leden.tref.nl/glipman
. New features include ARX 2000 support; object rotation; and option to
draw paperspace after instead of before the viewports.
SolidWorks
The University of Canterbury,
located in Christchurch, New Zealand, has selected 110 seats of SolidWorks
as the standard 3D solid modeling software for its engineering program.
Spatial Technologies
IntraVISION v4.0 adds support for over 150 file formats, including
Microsoft apps, a new user interface, and enhanced performance for STEP
assemblies.
SPEC/GPC Application Group
Benchmarks for Pro/ENGINEER and SolidWorks 98Plus are now available
from http://www.spec.org/gpc/apc.static/index.html
Unigraphics Solutions
The Innovation Center in Livonia MI USA is a research and collaboration
facility is meant to provide local engineering and manufacturing companies
with a meeting place to explore and share ideas.
UG/WAVE technology has been applied to the automotive die design process to reduce die development time by six to ten weeks and save millions of dollars per vehicle program.
Visio
Visio is this week previewing features found in the next generation
of technical drawing and diagramming software. In the second half of 1999,
Visio plans to incorporate these features in new versions of Visio Technical
and IntelliCAD, both as standalone products and combined as the Visio Technical
Design Suite.
http://www.design4.net
Design4 Magazine
It used to be called 'KTX World' until Kinetix was rebranded. This
is the new Web site of the international magazine for users of Discreet
software. The magazine and Web site's aims are to provide pragmatic business
and technology information for users of Discreet products.
http://www.parallax69.cz
Parallax69 Software International
http://www.autodesk.com/solution/book2000/index.htm
AutoCAD 2000
Make your contributions toward this book on design projects being published
by Autodesk.
Re: New AEC Software from Design Variations
"I doubt a feature based editing user interface
for *model creation* will fly. All of the interesting research is in the
area of inferring geometry and relationships from sketching. Yes, the geometric
model is feature based under the hood. However, the user is none the wiser.
Though certain editing tasks become much easier with a feature based engine.
"The trick with all this user interface stuff
is that drawing programs have to be application (problem domain) specific.
In other words, one size fits none. Hence I feel the emphasis should
be on creating a framework for creating vertical (niche) editors. In that
regard, that users can't create objects with the current systems, Lynch
is dead on."
-- Jason Osgood
"Artifice has been shipping easy-to-use design-oriented feature-based
modeling software for the architectural CAD market since 1993. Being Macintosh-only
from 1993-98 helped us keep this secret, but now across the family line
we count more than 100,000 registered users. User interface patent appproved
for issue. More info from http://www.artifice.com/dw.html "
-- Kevin Matthews
Re: Upgrading to AutoCAD 2000
"I think many companies are over welmed by the Y2K
problem, and have been spending a lot of money, upgrading hardware and
software throuh out there companies. Keeping up with Microsoft, Autodesk,
Corel, and whoever has frustrated most people. I usually say if it ant
broke, don't fix it.
"I usually get forced to upgrade when I can't
work with my clients files, or they ask me to provide them with a format
that I don't have. I have found most of Autodesks upgrade to be helpful
in improving productivity, but was frustrated with the buggy versions,
9, 11, 13. We are going from 14 to 2000. Does this mean no more bug riddled
odd versions?"
-- Stevhan Carre
"The computer hardware may need upgrading but the software also requires
upgrading... and again the cost of upgrading the program is greater than
the hardware. Now, this constant outflow of money MUST be accounted for.
Who pays for it?
"On the other hand, you spend a couple of
thousand bucks to get a good drafting table with arm [for manual drafing],
and you have the tools of the trade that will last past your working life
and into your childrens'. A much better return on the dollar in my
estimation."
-- Richard Weiner