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Inside this Issue
A recent survey by Autodesk asked users questions regarding "improving
the security surrounding your .dwdg files." With the Internet making data
easily distributable, data security is an important issue on the minds of CAD
managers. At Daratech, I asked Carl Bass, Autodesk vp of design solutions, about
password protection and encryption. Mr Bass explained users are asking for some
way to protect the intellectual data that's held within their .dwg files. An
early solution from Autodesk was .dwf [drawing Web format], a Web-friendly vector
format. Its major problem is that it doesn't print to scale, and users can't
get enough data out of it.
At
the other end, encryption programs, like PGP, seem to me messy to use, creating
a lot of hassle especially in the decryption process.
The
easiest method to ensure your data is not intercepted is to never send the original.
Options include DWF, HPGL, raster (CALS, TIF, and so on).
Products
like AutoVue, ViewCafe,
and Brava! provide secure data distribution
of project information over networks and the Web via Java. The AutoVue product,
for example, allows you to view xrefs, blocks, attributes, and layer information,
as well as measure and print, without the original data leaving the firewall.
There are encryption and
password programs freely available from http://www.downloads.com. In this case,
the encryption process is at your discretion and is not reliant on the CAD vendor's
program being present. Some users are asking for protection to be built into
the CAD program, however, to make the protection process seamless. In asking
for this, users should consider these issues:
PTC has been encrypting its drawings files for the last few releases. The
company had been evasive on admitting its Pro/E native format was encrypted,
opting to use words like 'protected', 'binary,' and 'compressed' -- flatly denying
'encryption.' I asked then-cto Jon Stevenson why PTC did it: "We had a
strong desire to license fully-loaded seats of Pro/E to students ... The files
had to be different enough that in no way could you write a utility that would
turn [a student] file into [a full Pro/E file], and that's why we encrypted
the file." PTC has subsequently released a 'free' CAD package call Pro/Desktop
that also uses the encrypted format.
So
far, PTC is the only CAD vendor to use encryption. PTC has told me that it's
had no complaints from its customers. It is worth noting, however, that the
competition was putting the heat on PTC, with players like SolidWorks introducing
direct Pro/E translators, and actively chasing PTC's installed base.
Another
result of encrypting the files is that downstream users and customers of data
would really need purchase Pro/E licenses, or else resort to lowest common-denominator
formats, like IGES and STEP.
The
net result of this is that the data translator firms (Theorem, Delcam, TTF and
so on) have put in a great effort in cracking the encryption algorithm. All
offer on-line translation for a price. TTF now offers a Pro/E translator component
to CAD developers, like SolidWorks, so they can read in files directly again.
And thus the cycle starts
over, in an industry that has proven itself incompetent in passing basic geometry
from one to another, let alone wrapping the data in an encryption algorithm.
The decision whether or not to encrypt data is the moral prerogative of the
customer, not the software vendor. The data created by a CAD package belongs
to the author, and should not be encrypted without your express permission or
knowledge.
Asking a vendor
to put encryption within an authoring tool is dangerous; it increases reliance
on the vendor, and may hinder migration to the next generation of systems. While
you may be concerned in protecting information from your competitors, the CAD
developers have concerns that conflict with yours, such as maintaining and growing
market share. This means holding on to customers.
We
already have a data interoperability problem. Easing data flow between systems,
and removing customer reliance on legacy data are not necessarily in the interests
of the CAD vendors. Instead of AUGI begging Autodesk for built-in encryption,
take time to investigate your own data security arrangements, such as CADlock
<http://www.cadlock.com>. Ask the CAD developers to get their own products
working together as promised There's still plenty of work to be done.
(P.S: I highly recommend Simon Singh's "The Code Book" <>.)
Martyn Day is Group Editor of 'CADD,' 'CADdesk,' and 'cadserver' Web site in the UK. http://www.cadserver.co.uk
One-dimensional Collaboration
The response to last week's editorial on CAD vendors rushing to add collaboration utilities to their software resulted in responses primarily from vendors -- an indication perhaps that users have little interest in this "advance."
"I really liked your comments on collaboration technology and the overuse
of the term 'collaboration.' And I must admit these days a vendor has a tough
time to really differentiate verbally. Customers have an even tougher time in
the marketing jungle of messages that seem similar.
"About
4-5 years ago we tried to name collaboration 'co-creation.' Michael Schrage
of MIT <http://www.webcom.com/quantera/schrage.html> wrote a book that
explained the change in teamworking in the years to come. We decided that some
of his principles and the teamwork we had in our existing products would be
the future for product development. We therefore named our company 'CoCreate'
- perhaps better explained as 'Together Creative.'
"You
rightly point out that the key to successful collaboration lays in an openess
to other systems, experts, and information. I admit to my customers that we
are not market leader in CAD in all areas, and therefore CAN be, and MUST be
open to other systems. We developed a range of technological tools that helps
designers bi-directionally work with other CAD systems or data systems -- not
single input or partial read-in.
"Today
we have small button in our OneSpace Designer Dynamic Modeling (SolidDesigner's
new name) that allows a designer to open a meeting, invite others, allow participants
on a strictly controlled environment for model verification, problem solving,
mark-ups, documentation, and so on. At the end, a meeting protocol is automatically
written where all mark-ups, models, decisions, and actions are documented. This
model is very simple and interests users because it focuses on doing work, not
on using slogans, such as 'We use collaboration at our company.'
"Lastly,
we strongly believe not everyone needs collaboration. When two designers sit
next to each other, they should have their collaboration under control without
needing additional software. More complex working-together and maybe asking
advice from outside experts and suppliers, however, could require a software
tool. This is where collaboration will play a role in the years to come."
-
Jeroen Buring
CoCreate Software,
Germany
"I think what you say can certainly be true in some interpretations
of collaborative software, but for us collaboration is more to do with communication
of the design inside a collaborating team, rather than a fight over who controls
what sessions.
"At
its basic level, our technology allows for real-time interactive navigation
of the 3D model, but one of the major selling points is that NavisWorks can
import and add together (we call it append) many different file formats so that
users of differing CAD packages see one 'supermodel,' and then use the design
review features of NavisWorks.
"For
example, .dgn from the structural engineer, ADT-flavored .dwg from the architect.
Bring them in, combine into one .nwd file and then everyone sees the one design,
and then collaborates (so sorry to keep using that word!).
"The
project manager controls the release of the .nwd file so that no single designer
can change it. They can check for any interference between the file formats
and design disciplines with our Clash Detective."
-
Peter Thompson
NavisWorks,
UK
"You were a little too parochial in your view of collaboration. Of course the single-location shops are going to have no use for collabware (I've seen it called that in CAD marketing materials other than the company of that name!). But as soon as you have two locations working on the same design, collaboration aids start to make sense. You choices are:
At some time, options #1, #2, and #3 will run out of steam as the organizational
structure grows.
"What
is sad is the one-shop folks are being left in the dust by the rapid shift in
priority of the CAD companies. It seems, for the near future, they will have
to make themselves content with the falloff of whatever gets developed for the
big guys."
- Jon
Rush
The editor replies: "I try to find all the downsides to technology, to counter the marketeers."
In related news, Geometric Software Solutions last week announced commercial availability of its CollabView 2.0, a framework for the rapid development of collaborative product development. http://www.geometricsoftware.com
And IronCAD this week introduced AutoCAD Client for its TeamVault, which allows different CAD systems to locate, manage and share designs with others. http://www.ironcad.com
In the war of words between PlanetCAD and its hostile takeover nemesis, PCD
Investments, PlanetCAD's chairman of the board, Eugene Fischer, said in a press
release that PCD Investments did not accept his board's invitation to attend
a meeting to discuss the takeover.
Eric
Weissmann of PCD Investments says he declined the invitation for two reasons:
(1) both members of PCD Investments had a previous commitment for that date;
and (2) the March 6 date left too little time before the March 8 board nominee
notice deadline. "We sent a letter to the Company (and filed it with the
SEC) where we proposed three alternative earlier dates, but PlanetCAD simply
reiterated its invitation for March 6."
PlanetCAD
charges that PCD Investments did not provide answers to questions raised in
a letter written March 1. PlanetCAD's board wants those questions answered satisfactorily
before it analyzes the takeover proposal from PCD Investment.
PCD
Investments says they participated in two teleconferences with two directors
concerning the going-private proposal. "Later, we attended a breakfast
meeting with PlanetCAD CEO David Hushbeck. At these meetings, Fischer, Hushbeck,
and Gill (a majority of PlanetCAD's directors) had the opportunity to ask whatever
questions they wanted."
To
further resist a hostile takeover, PlanetCAD's board brought in a "Stockholder
Rights Plan" -- aka poison pill -- that grants existing stockholders the
right to purchase common stock having a value equal to two times the purchase
price.
PCD Investment responded
that "generally speaking, we think it is inappropriate for a board of directors
(that has overseen the destruction of more than 90% of shareholder value) to
implement a poison pill."
In
related news, throughout February, PCD Investments has continued to purchase
PlanetCAD shares at 19 cents each. PCD Investments intends to nominate six individuals
to the company's board. 3.
After its customers complained loudly, Autodesk didn't increase by
15% the price of network versions of AutoCAD last November, waiting instead
until this June to implement it. The unannounced hike affects customers in Europe
and the Americas.
In a recent
survey held on www.cadenceweb.com, 71.6%
of respondees thought that Autodesk was not justified in forcing AutoCAD R14
users to upgrade to AutoCAD 2002. [Users weren't "forced."]
Graphisoft has adopted Consistent Software's Plan2Model <http://www.csoft.no>
as a new ArchiCAD Add-on that creates 3D ArchiCAD building models from raster
scans or from 2D CAD drawings. Graphisoft sees it useful for refurbishing projects
(where floorplans might be archived in DXF format), and for cross-graders from
competing 2D CAD products.
ArchiCAD
20th Anniversary Edition combines Mac OS X and Windows XP version in one CD,
plus fine-tuned DWG/DXF conversion, extended help, and transparent bitmaps.
http://www.graphisoft.com
In
related news, Solibri Model Checker works with Graphisoft's ArchiCAD
via IFCs. Future versions may be integrated more closely. SMC reads a model
of a building, and then checks and analyses it for typical design solutions.
http://www.solibri.com
[I
gotta say, there is some hot AEC software coming out of the Nordic countries
these days. Like, Autodesk's newly announced Building Mechanical 2 and
Building Electrical 2 are developed in Denmark.]
IMSI plans to release in 2Q TurboCADCAM (US$1,999), its first vertical
industry-specific app based on TurboCAD. It does not use post processors, but
generates native code specific to almost any controller. http://www.turbocad.com
[This
is the first of a series of vertical apps that lets IMSI up the price on its
under-priced TurboCAD. Expect to see additional vertical apps for mech and arch.]
Chief Architect v8 features import 3D DWG and DXF files; 7,000 symbols; manufacturer-specific libraries; terrain modeling; convert CAD lines to walls; custom layer sets; and more. Chief Architect comes in several license editions: Enterprise (5 licenses); Professional (2 licenses); and Full (1 license). http://www.chiefarchiectect.com
PartsWorks.com is free of charge to visitors until March 31, 2002. You can download as many of the eight million SolidWorks parts as you need. http://www.partsworks.com
Intergraph made available its OGC WMS Viewer <http://www.wmsviewer.com> for use at Web sites that use the Web Map Server (WMS) interface standard defined by the Open GIS Consortium (OGC).
Cyco Software launched AutoManager Meridian 2002 document management software. http://www.cyco.com
@Last Software released SketchUp 2.0. Demo copy and upgrades available at http://www.sketchup.com
When available in April, GiveMePower's Code Once development technology allows a single codestream development of custom CAD and vector graphics software for simultaneous deployment limited to across Windows desktop and Windows CE portable devices. http://www.givemepower.com
When available on April 3, the HP Designjet Copier cc800ps (US$19,995) is HP's first large-format color copier/scanner/printer, which features full-color scanning and copying at up to 2400dpi with 40-inch wide scanning. http://www.designjet.hp.com/Spring2002/prodinfo_cc800ps_main.html
PTC and EDS announced a technology exchange agreement. "The companies are both striving to make it possible to develop, implement, maintain and support interoperable CAD, data management, and visualization solutions between each company's respective product line."
The CAD Society meeting, Wednesday, March 20 at 5:15 pm, in the Press Conference Room #N426A at McCormick Convention Center in Chicago IL USA. Please RSVP to brad.holtz@cadsociety.org .
New Newsletters/Webzines
IWT Verlag launched its new German-language 'Inventor Magazin' last month. http://www.iwtnet.de
People/Companies on the Move
Blast from the past: SoftSource is back in
the AutoCAD-compatibility business after being distracted by Catarra (providing
Web pages to pocket devices) for a couple of years. Effective February 4, SoftSource
Corporation changed its name to Catarra, Inc. http://www.caterra.com
and http://www.softsource.com
MSC.Software is buying rival Mechanical Dynamics for US$120 million cash in 2Q or this year. Shares of Mechanic Dynamics rose 55% on the news, while shares of MCS barely budged.
Eagle Point co-founder John Biver says he is determined to establish Eagle Point as the leader in land development technology solutions. http://eaglepoint.com
Graphisoft appointed Ray Small as the company's new ceo effective immediately. Graphisoft founder and former ceo Gábor Bojár continues as chairman of the board. Prior to joining Graphisoft, Mr Small was senior vp at Gartner's European division.
SMARTEAM announced the appointment of Chris Jones as president of SMARTEAM Europe. Mr Jones was the managing director of the Engineering Animation division of EDS PLM Solutions.
Raindrop Geomagic promoted Peter Scott to vp of engineering..
Computer News Summaries
Microsoft suffered a minor legal setback Friday when a federal judge questioned the software giant's claim on the word "Windows." - CNET
Market News
Autodesk declared a 2-for-1 stock split for stockholders as of the close of business on April 4.
The WorthWhile Web
http://www.novagarden.com/sony-clie/peg-nr70vic.html
NovaGarden
(Parody)
Swiss Army version of the new Sony NR70 PalmPilot.
http://www.cadinfo.net/editorial/adeskrevit.htm
CADinfo.net
"On
Autodesk, ADT, and Revit": Geoff Harrod casts an opinion on Autodesk's
announcement to acquire Revit.
http://www.magma.ca/~lancucki/Visio3rdparty.htm
http://www.magma.ca/~lancucki/Visio_VBA_Information.htm
Lancucki-Marshall
Source
for Visio VBA examples and stencils.
http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/print/0,1643,38604,00.html
Business
2.0
"The 101 Dumbest Moments in Business"
Letters to the Editor
Re: WinXP and Extra 1GB Memory?
"This works only if the application sets the IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE flag in the header to say that they are well-written enough not to toast when they ask for memory and get back stuff above 1GB. So ask your vendor today whether it sets this flag in their Windows app or not."
- Steve Loughran
Re: Notable Quotable
"While on the surface the reading and writing (on the Internet) may have a bit of truth, I've seen the Instant Messenger conversations my kids are involved in, and approximately every third word is a variation of LOL. If we gauge reading and writing by the content I don't think we can congratulate ourselves for progress!
"For our family I have had to severely limit Internet time because it was degenerating to the level of TV (which our kids don't watch either).
"On another note, thanks for the ezine. I can't consider myself a proficient CAD user, I bought TurboCAD for help with my handyman business and haven't got beyond 2D work yet, but I still learn something from you on occasion."
- Eric Miller
Spin Doctor of the Moment
"We're a company that pretty much can do anything of a software nature
that we set our mind to -- darn it!"
-
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, 6 February 2002
"I couldn't do what you've got here. Forget about any business thing.
Technically I just couldn't do it."
-
Microsoft executive Jim Allchin, 5 March 2002
"The reason you're hearing the same things over and over is because
companies in the high tech biz, no matter what they do for a living, really
are saying the same things over and over."
-
Jon Peddie Research newsletter