by Ralph Grabowski with Roman Lygin and Ramil Gasanov
|
|
| CADEX is a file translation company, one that I previously interviewed in www.upfrontezine.com/2016/12/cad-exchanger.html. The company now has a Web version of their translation-viewing software. To learn more, I interviewed founder and ceo Roman Lygin and senior technical marketing engineer Ramil Gasanov.
- - -
Ralph Grabowski: I had a look at CAD Exchanger Cloud a few days ago. Is it still in beta?
Ramil Gasanov: Yes. The beta will run for a few more months. We are working on introducing more features to catch up to the desktop version. We are looking for feedback from users on what they want, don't want. CAD Exchanger Cloud will be totally free during beta. For the production version, we plan to introduce a fremium version with basic functions, and a paid version with extra functions.
 Home page for CAD Exchange Cloud
Grabowski: What functions do you plan to still add?
Roman Lygin: Measurements, sectioning, explosion of assemblies, limited editing like changing colors, parts assembly, moving and rotating parts, and perhaps other features.
Grabowski: Why did you feel you needed to develop a cloud version of your desktop software?
Lygin: We have believed in the cloud for quite some time, and so we started working on it many months ago. We feel that the cloud is gaining momentum. We, of course, feel the concern for data security, but as the community talks more about the cloud we want to be part of this wave. We regularly receive requests from prospective clients who might not need a full perpetual desktop license; a subscription-based (temporary) cloud license would be more relevant for them.
Gasanov: For users, it is a quick start: go to a Web site, sign in, and then use the software right away. There are no version issues, like Windows or Mac or 64 or 32 bit. It is useful for those who just need it for a limited time in projects, as a better version of rental software. Of course, collaboration is the core value of the cloud, where is it much easier to use than from the desktop.
 File manager for uploading and selecting files
Grabowski: What kinds of people do you find are using the beta?
Gasanov: We are aiming at two types of users: corporate users on a private cloud; and small companies or freelancers who are okay with using the public cloud.
Mechanical engineering is the core audience, some from 3D printing, fewer from architecture or construction as we do not have IFC [industry foundation classes] for now. We plan to add IFC in a few months.
Lygin: We also want to target ISVs [independent software vendors] with APIs [application programming interfaces] and an SDK [software development kit]so that they can build their own cloud-enabled software. Our public cloud acts as a show window.
Interest in an API actually came before our public GUI [graphical user interface]. One ISV was on the traditional desktop, but wanted to migrate to the cloud to reduce costs for end-users. Some ISVs were already on the cloud, but wanted to use components that are already available, rather than writing them themselves, because programming is not their core business.
Grabowski: You are based in Russia [Nizhny Novgorod, about 250 miles east of Moscow], so where are your customers based?
Gasanov: Most of our customers are in the USA and Western Europe. The desktop version is used by 6,000 engineers in 55+ countries.
Grabowski: I understand that you plan to allow some basic editing in the cloud-based viewer-translator. How far do you intend to go with editing?
Lygin: Editing is not a core use for our users. Implementing editing in the cloud is much more of a challenge, and makes us think much deeper. We still plan to introduce some lightweight editing functions by mid-year. People will continue to work with what they are familiar [on the desktop], while the cloud is more for sharing and collaborating. It will not replace their desktop software, especially for large corporations for whom it is too expensive to make a big change.
Lygin: On the technology side, I would like to add that our effort was strongly supported by Microsoft. In 2016 they offered their help in technical engagement which extended into 2017. We are grateful for their help.
Grabowski: How did Microsoft benefit from helping you out?
Lygin: It was their practical case study for using Azure on workloads like ours. Azure is the public cloud for CAD Exchanger, but we also prototyped it on Amazon and on our own servers to ensure platform independence for private environments.
 3D model viewer with parts list
Grabowski: In addition to IFC [industry foundation classes], do you plan any more file formats?
Gasanov: The Solidworks format is coming in a few weeks, because of user-demand and because there is a lot of data in the Solidworks format. This is an important milestone for us.
Grabowski: Dassault has announced a lot of cloud-based software for Solidworks users, although it tends to be very expensive. Why might Solidworks users prefer your software over theirs?
Gasanov: We don't pretend to be tailored to the cloud. We want to provide a neutral platform -- along with ISVs.
Lygin: Even if we are on a open-source geometric kernel, we add a lot of our own IP [intellectual property], such as all the converters, many healing and modeling algorithms, visualization, cloud, and the user interface. Since we own the stack, we can deliver a more efficient solution to end users. If we didn't own that part of the stack, we would be locked to another vendor.
https://cloud.cadexchanger.com/
|
|
MOBILE CAD for Android and iOS ARES Touch offers 150+ CAD features to read, modify, and annotate DWG drawings on tablets and smartphones. Visit www.graebert.com/arestouch to learn more.Viewing and measuring features of ARES Touch are FREE for all users. ARES subscribers gain premium features like editing and photo annotation. Get a free 30-day trial of ARES Touch's premium features when you activate your free trial of ARES Commander at www.graebert.com/arescommander |
|
Sponsor: Okino Graphics
== Converting 3D CAD & DCC to Virtual/ Augmented Reality ==
With the explosive growth of VR/AR, the ultra-massive 3D datasets produced by CAD and DCC programs need efficient conversion to the popular Unity and Unreal development platforms. Okino of Toronto is the long-time provider of the PolyTrans|CAD translator, which easily handles the interactive datasets required by VR and AR for Microsoft HoloLens, HTC VIVE, Oculus Rift, Meta, and other VR headsets.
PolyTrans provides you with
- Massive dataset handling
- Node compression
- Adaptive CAD tessellation
- Intelligent polygon reduction
Popular CAD data sources include SolidWorks, ProE/Creo, Inventor, AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, DGN, IGES, STEP, Parasolid, and JT. DCC data sources are Cinema-4D, 3ds Max, Maya, FBX/Collada, and many more.Perfected over three decades, we know 3D data translation intimately, providing you with highly personalized solutions, education, and communication. Contact CTO Robert Lansdale at lansd@okino.com http://www.okino.com
|
|
| Some of the most recent posts on my WorldCAD Access blog:
- - -
- - -
- - -
Forklift manufacturer Crown is replacing manual teaching of its robotic welding systems with simulation-based offline programming for tool path generation with FASTSUITE Edition 2 software from Cenit AG. (I drove forklifts for a summer job -- FUN!) https://www.manufacturingtomorrow.com/content.php?post=11243
- - -
nVidia stock dropped after the company stopped its self-driving car testing during its annual GPU Technology Conference celebration -- which had focused on self-driving cars and trucks, such as this one photographed by Roopinder Tara.
. - -
"Microsoft is warning customers using Office, Xbox, Skype, and other products that the company is prohibiting offensive language and inappropriate content starting on May 1." Another reason to avoid cloud-based software: Chinese-like censorship by corporations.
- - -
3DRepo updates its cloud-based BIM platform with 30+ enhancements, supporting Building Collaboration Format (BCF) and live GIS data. The beta of v2.8 also supports Android and iOS thru mobile Web browsers, Xbox controllers, and FBX files with textures. http://3drepo.org/
- - -
ANSYS is hoping to acquire OPTIS and its software for simulating light, human vision, and physics-based visualization.
- - -
Altair Q4 revenues were $89.9 million, up 8% from a year ago. But net loss was $60.3 million, down from $5.9 million profit last year.
- - -
- - -
For late-breaking CAD news, follow upFront.eZine on Twitter at @upfrontezine. |
|
I am setting up a system for my sister. She relies on Generic CADD for income, but is not computer-literate. I am having fun using Dosbox on Windows 7 trying to build a system to replace her current aging Macintosh laptop that emulates XP. Any other web locations that will help me along would be appreciated
I am a 75 year old computer guy having some fun. Glad you are still active.
- P. B.
Canada
The editor replies: You might find the many comments in my blog posting on Generic CADD useful. They are from people who got GCADD to run on modern-day systems:
www.worldcadaccess.com/blog/2013/01/running-generic-cadd-in-2013.html
Re: Unique Features in IronCAD 2018
Thanx for the IronCAD 2018 review. If I could afford it, I'd switch today. The thing I like about IronCAD is its drag-and-drop, push/pull method of modeling. That's my idea of 3D CAD.
Too bad it wasn't available when I was young! Thing is, nobody else does it, nobody. They may claim to do it, but everything they do is terrible compared to IronCAD.
The only thing that keeps me from buying an IronCAD license is the added expense of add-ons. For example: IronCAD forces you to pay for library parts, which should be part of the base program for free. If I could get their 3D program with the parts library, I'd think about paying $4,000 for it.
- Chris
The editor replies: Companies look for ways to charge more than what you think is the price. Most egregious example of late: a friend got a new Honda with built-in GPS. Cost to update the maps: $200 a shot, he tells me. I advise him to buy a stand-alone GPS for $100 and get lifetime updates free.
- - -
I love this incredible solid modeler that combines simplicity and power so elegantly. Congratulations to this company, which is sadly little known in France because of the monopolistic position of Dassault in this field in our country.
- Cadlink on Twitter (@Cadlink)
Re: Figuring out what AutoCAD 2019 is
Have you seen this dumpster fire being proposed by Autodesk? Buyer beware!
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Only-One-AutoCAD-Frequently-Asked-Questions.html
- Randy Thompson
The editor replies: It is an aggressive attempt by Autodesk to convince permanent license holders to switch to paying annually in exchange for more value. I wrote about this move on my blog, WorldCAD Access:
http://www.worldcadaccess.com/blog/2018/03/figuring-out-what-autocad-2019-is.html
- - -
It's almost like they didn't have enough staff for a proper roll out. I wonder if the shareholders are happy, though.
- Patrick Hughes on Twitter (@Time_Trvlr)
- - -
"It won't be enough, because the company is not giving these customers what they want" -- probably true, but it is a smart move in a couple of ways which I'll discuss on my blog in due course.
- Steve Johnson via Twitter (@SteveJohnsonCAD)
- - -
"...declared the value of AutoCAD Architecture + Mechanical + Electrical + Map 3D + MEP + Raster Design Plant 3D to be $105 -- fifteen bucks each." In contrast to AutoCAD Civil 3D, worth what? e350,- in which I still really can't design a full bridge properly.
- HnsaCAD via Twitter (@CadHns)
The editor replies: In the USA, Autodesk charges an extra $580/year for the Civil 3D add-on.
- - -
There are tools in AutoCAD that have never worked right all the time, from the beginning. They still don't. One that drives me nuts is hatching.
Another thing that is also a big letdown: AutoCAD mostly doesn't listen to the user. They change and incorporate things that nobody ever asked for and then they call it an upgrade. We are lucky that there is BricsCAD to save the day.
- Neb (via WorldCAD Access)
- - -
The available info on AutoCAD 2019 is very confusing and will add to the frustration we have come to expect from Autodesk. I have personally had AutoCAD since v 2.5 and stopped upgrading at 2011. I now use ProgeCad 2017. ProgeCad has caused me no frustration and works as well if not better than AutoCAD and best of all there is no ever changing subscription and upgrade problems.
- Newt Edwards (via WorldCAD Access)
Re: Notable Quotable
I might have found you a Notable Quotable in the comments of the (very interesting!) Tesla article you linked to:. "I wish that the diligence used over at SpaceX would be applied at Tesla." "NASA doesn’t let just any bozo try and dock with the International Space Station."
- Robin Capper
New Zealand
The editor replies: It certainly is a puzzle that the parts apparently don't fit right, as if they are being made by hand.
Mr Capper responds: Seems they eliminated some of the preproduction steps other manufacturers use and are paying the price for it. It seems scaling manufacturing is harder than scaling software.
|
|
Should you wish to support upFront.eZine through PayPal, then the suggested amounts are like these:
Should Paypal.me not operate in your country, then please use www.paypal.comand the account of grabowski@telus.net.
Or mail a cheque (US$ or CDN$ only, please) to upFront.eZine Publishing, Ltd., 34486 Donlyn Avenue, Abbotsford BC, V2S 4W7, Canada.
|
|
"Airbus, which designs, builds and sells civil and military aeronautical stuff, including commercial drones, embarked on the first phase of the 'digital transformation' project – you at the back, stop yawning – a year ago."
- Paul Kunert, The Register
www.theregister.co.uk/2018/03/14/airbus_ditches |
|
|
|
Comments