issue #567   :  :  july 8, 2008

In this issue:

IDX Design: Variable Constraint System

        

AutoCAD -> Solid Edge ST

      

Out of the Inbox and the other regular columns.
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IDX Design:
Variable Constraint System

IMSI is working to get out of the low-cost TurboCAD rut. The company's managers took the CAD side of the business private, renaming it IMSI/design. They've launched a new brand, IDX Design, that focuses on plug-ins for other CAD programs. First was the renderer plug-in for Google SketchUp, and now there's a variable constraint plug-in for AutoCAD.

I installed the IDX Variable Constraint System [VCS] version for AutoCAD 2008; a separate version also runs on 2007. (Even though I entered a serial number during installation, the software works for just 30 days before online activation has to take place.) In AutoCAD, the add-on software appears in the form of a new toolbar, new menu item, and added buttons on the drawing status bar. An 86-page PDF manual resides on the CD.

Using the software follows the same steps as any other constraint system, as found in MicroStation, Inventor, or SolidWorks:

1. Draw a rough sketch using commands like Line, Arc, and Circle. The sketch is drawn "roughly," because (1) the constraints automatically make the sketch accurate; and (2) the idea is to work fast. ("Sketch" is the term commonly used to describe 2D drawings.)

2. Add constraints to the sketch. Constraints are like super object-snaps that remain in place, and are not temporary like those of AutoCAD. So, if one line is perpendicular to another, the perpendicular constraint ensure the two lines remain perpendicular always -- until you change the constraint.

3. Edit the sketch using variables and formulas. Whereas constraints hold objects together like glue, variables and formulas are like super dimensions that control sizes of objects and distances between them. Instead of dimension text that looks like 41", the text looks like Radius1*4. Over in the Calculator palette, you define the value of Radius1, which can be a constant or a formula.

 

A problem for users is that drawings containing constraints cannot be fully edited by others who do not own the VCS software. (AutoCAD objects can be edited;, but the constraints and variables cannot.) Indeed, the documentation warns that you may get back drawings whose constraints are broken. You can, however, convert constrained 2D drawings into 3D models through extrusion, etc.

So, what can you do with AutoCAD drawings constrained by VCS? Here are some ides: (1) You can quickly modify concept-stage drawings. (2) You can create a family from a part, where each copy has a few variables modified. (3) You can create a series of parts where each has a different range of motion. (4) You can update multiple instances of parts simultaneously. (5) You can quickly incorporate changes to drawings returned from the shop floor.

IMSI/design sees VCS used early in the design process when drawings are 2D and revisions are frequent.

The problem for IMSI/Design: how long before Autodesk ships constraints and variables in AutoCAD? In the meantime, this important feature is available now for users of AutoCAD 2007/8. $495. Demo available from www.idx-design.com

 

AutoCAD -> Solid Edge ST

Deelip Menezes makes a point in his blog that Solid Edge ST would be attractive to AutoCAD users. After all, these users are used to freeform 3D modeling in AutoCAD, and switching to a hardcore history modeler like SolidWorks or Inventor takes a paradigm shift (gee, haven't read that phrase in a long while!).

It's initially a mind-bender to be forced to work with 2D sketches that are separate from 3D models that are separate from 2D drawings -- all controlled by a strict hierarchy of interrelated edges, faces, parts, assemblies, constraints, and driven-dimensions. In contrast, "Just draw it!" could be the slogan for AutoCAD's 3D.

The point is crucial to SolidWorks, because they claim that some 300,000 of its customers are former AutoCAD users. The point is even more crucial to Autodesk, for the number of AutoCAD->Inventor switchers would be higher.

Is Autodesk in danger of having its four million AutoCAD users switch to Solid Edge with synchronous technology? No, actually. Here's why:

Freeform modelers like CoCreate and hybrid modelers like IronCAD have been around for a decade, and AutoCAD users did not swarm to them. (And lest I get irritated emails from Kubotek and Ashlar Vellum fans, I'll note KeyCreator and Cobalt.)

Maybe UGS's/Siemen's multi-year investment was for nought (in terms of market advantage), and synchtech becomes a 3d/eye Trispectives-like entry in the history of CAD. The interactive 3D modeling advanced by Trispectives is now found in all MCAD packages; perhaps in a similar fashion the hybrid modeling of synchtech will become the norm among all competitors -- patents pending notwithstanding.

Who'll lead off? Mr Menezes thinks SolidWorks 2010 will be the first hardcore parametric modeler to mimic synchtech.

 

Link:
www.deelip.com/2008/07/solid-edge-with-synchronous-technology.html

 

Out of the Inbox

"The International Standardisation Organisation has ratified Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) as an official international standard, though it won't make PDF documents load any faster," reports The Register. The standard is based on PDF v1.7 and is named ISO 32000-1:2008. www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=51502  

In related news, the no-charge version of Acrobat 9, Reader, is now available for download from www.adobe.com/downloads/

At diveintomark.org/archives/2008/07/04/adobe-9, Hub wonders, "Putting a non-free proprietary format (Flash) in a now-standard format (PDF), does that still make it standard?"

- - -

Packaged CAD connectors from ICP Solution GmbH are available in Aras Innovator for loading and saving AutoCAD 3D models as document structures, doing BOMs [bills of material], refreshing title blocks, batch plotting and file conversion, and control the approval, release, and revision of drawings. www.icpsolution.com   

Delcam launches the next release of FeatureCAM in September with increased support for mill-turn equipment. www.delcam.com

Bentley Systems gets exclusive worldwide rights to distribute Tas software from Environmental Design Solutions Limited for energy analysis and simulation of building environments. www.edsl.net

Sescoi's CAM/CAD software, WorkNC G3, has a new NCspeed module that can reduce cycle times by up to 20%. www.sescoi.com

Christine Fortunier writes, "I'm glad to send a press release from Datakit. The company doubles its floor space and its turnover [revenues]! I add a picture of the offices in Lyon (France)." [The photo cleverly shows the doubled floor space:

 

The Orca3D marine design and analysis plug-in for Rhinoceros is in beta -- or, as DRS Technologies calls it, a "Work-in-Progress (WIP) release" with an "an opportunity to get an early look at the direction of our development." www.orca3d.com/

CAD Schroer Group introduces MPDS4 Factory Layout for producing plant layouts based on existing CAD data, with 3D visualisations and walk-throughs. www.cad-schroer.com

Schott Systeme GmbH ships their integrated CAD/CAM package Pictures by PC v3.2 for designing and machining graphics on plastic moulded parts, such as logos, symbols and table-based technical data. www.schott-systeme.com

AutoDesSys updates form.Z and RenderZone v6.6. www.formz.com/news/news.php

And CADaptation releases AecBatchStylesEditor 2009 ($175) for batch-editing multiple AEC styles and definitions in AutoCAD Architecture 2009 and MEP 2009.  www.cadaptation.com/AecBatchStylesEditor

- - -

These news items were posted during the last week at the WorldCAD Access blog < worldcadaccess.typepad.com>:

  • What Redacted Looks Like
  • RasterDWG
  • A $2.6B Oopsie for nVidia
  • Dassault Unloads French Sales Team
  • Autodesk Accuses ODA of Fraud
  • Autodesk Consolidates Mac Architecture Market -- Really?
  • Strategic Research Suspends Operations Today

 And the following items were posted to the Gizmos Grabowski blog last week at worldcadaccess.typepad.com/gizmos/  :

  • Eee User Community & Batteries
  • Linux Trumps Vista
  • Leave Windows Behind on the PC
  • Which Asus EEE?
  • Music From Rhapsody "Very Limited"
  • Confession: I Bought Microsoft Software

 

Hardware News

HP ships HP xw4550 ($599 and up) as an entry-level quad-core AMD Opteron workstation, with ATI RadeonTM X1250 graphics card. www.hp.com

 

Seminars & Conferences

NAFEMS World Congress 2009 (International Association for the Engineering Analysis Community) takes place June 16-19, 2009, in Crete Greece. www.nafems.org/congress

 

Magazine/eZine/Weblog Updates

X3DMEDIA acquires 'Prototype' magazine, and plans to integrate the rapid prototyping and direct manufacturing editorial  into the 'DEVELOP3D' technology journal. www.develop3d.com  

 

People/Companies on the Move

KETIV Technologies hires David Gadberry as director of technical operations. Mr Gadberry is the former vp of engineering at Can Lines Engineering.

Delcam opens a representative office in Hi Chi Min City, Vietnam, managed by Tin Nai Soi.

PHASE 2 International moves to a larger office for its Honolulu headquarters and opens its first regional office on mainland USA in Chicago. www.phase2int.com

 

 WorthWhile Web

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080702.wrussell03/BNStory/Entertainment/home
"Going forward, rise up against cr*pspeak"
by Russell Smith

 

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/06/gallery-of-cut.html
"Gallery of Sawn-In-Half Cameras"
By Charlie Sorrel

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121493163092919829.html
"Chinese Bloggers Scale The 'Great Firewall' In Riot's Aftermath"
by Juliet Ye and Geoffrey Fowler

 

Letters to the Editor

Re: Give Me Back "My" DWG

"I remember that prior to Autodesk purchasing Generic Software (and subsequently killing it off) Generic CADD drawings used the file extension .DWG

"AFAIK, there was never any argument over file naming prior to, or during the acquisition process. So certainly in 1985 or 1986 Autodesk had no problem there.

"After being acquired by Autodesk, the .DWG changed to .GCD, because the file format was totally different. It was necessary to avoid in-house confusion."
        - Richard Ashton
        Australia

 

"There is more than one answer [to the question, '"What does USPTO have against file extensions as registered trademarks?']:

"1. Trademarks serve only to identify the commercial source or origin of products or services. When you create a DWG file, what is its source? You. Not Autodesk.

"2. Trademarks cannot be merely descriptive. While it may not be entirely true now, for most of the past 40 years three-letter file name extensions have been a functional requirement of operating systems. [Some OSes and apps can identify files through meta data or the file's content.] So, the DWG file name extension is merely descriptive of the file type."
        - Evan Yares
        USA

 

"There's a mechanism in law called 'laches' (or however you spell it). The way it works is this:

"If someone is doing something that affects you, but you don't like it; and if you have the right to object, but don't object right away; then they are legally right in what they're doing, and it's 'tough beans on you' for dragging your feet (for whatever reason).

"Now, how long had it been (years-wise) since the DWG term has been flying around in marketing literature by non-Autodesk companies, while Autodesk did nothing about it? If it's past the 'laches' time requirement, then tough luck Autodesk!"
        - Chris H

The editor replies: "Twenty years. I think Cyco may have been the first to use DWG in marketing a DWG-specific product, around 1988."

- - -

Re: Open Source CAD

"Robert Green is confusing 'not working the same as in AutoCAD' with 'lost productivity'. I've been a CAD manager using AutoCAD since 1991, and most CAD managers I know deal every day a certain percentage of the time with an AutoCAD that doesn't work as expected.

"Even though AutoCAD has made great strides in usability and reliability over the years, Autodesk often still don't quite get it sometimes. (Multiple-user implementation comes to mind). Quite possibly, and hopefully, Wildcat could turn out to be an alternative that functions better, is easier to use, etc., etc., even though it doesn't work 'the same as AutoCAD'.
        - Merle Hall, facilities information manager
        Pioneer

- - -

Re: IntelliCAD Technical Consortium

"Consortium members create IntelliCAD end-user products, which some market well, others market poorly. Our IntelliCAD version is actually doing very well in sales. Perhaps the greatest misconception is that IntelliCAD vendors are all the same."
        - CADDIT
        Australia

- - -

Re: Wireframe Reproductions

"I really wondered about this story. Toyota is a big user of 3D scanners from GOM GmbH (www.gom.com), which have the ability to do this job in well under a day, with an accuracy of <1mm, over the entire vehicle, without any of the disadvantages of the CAD files mentioned in Joshua Smith's letter. The output is typically an SLA file, which can be reduced in size until suitable for the intended use.

"I suspect that this is a classic case of poor inter-departmental communications, possibly a bit of internal politics as well. It's certainly not the best way of doing the job."
        - Steve Borland
        Denmark

The editor replies: "Probably Toyota's marketing dept asked the ad firm to do something, and the ad firm asked a modeling firm, which then asked MeshWerks to help them out. Perhaps it was more profitable (more billable hours) to re-create the cars this way, than it was to check if the models might be obtainable direct from Toyota."

Mr Borland responds: "Ah, consultants, you have to love them."
        - Steve "Who used to be a consultant himself."

- - -

"I enjoy the newsletter, but would it would be nice to see more MicroStation/Bentley coverage. As a former Bentley employee and someone who still works with their products, it would be nice to have an independent voice out there rather than just the Bentley press releases and advertising."
        - Chris Pausch
        KnowledgeBase Consulting Group

The editor replies: "I would, too, but Bentley has no interest in upFront.eZine. The news I carry is gleaned from other sources; any request I make for more info is ignored by their PR staff."

 

"I look forward to your newsletter each week."
        - Nancy Spurling Johnson, editor-in-chief
        Cadalyst

 

Spin Doctor of the Moment

"We have some new innovations up our sleeve that are going to knock the socks of anything anyone is doing, including our friends down south."
        - Debra Chrapaty, Microsoft corporate VP of global foundation services
        technorati.com/posts/NXGPhUzb0B5YcHwGmODMIqy98%2BmVQMWXZhH5TUbbO8Y%3D

 

Noteable Quotable

"Policy-based evidence making."
        - The Register

 

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