CADCAM Blog

Alibre 2012 Now Released - Overview

2011-11-01T17:54:00.009+11:00

Alibre 2012 was released recently on CADDIT Australia. Alibre is an affordable, easy-to-use 3D CAD software for mechanical design of parts, assemblies and design drawings. Files from SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor and other mechanical design software can also be used in Alibre. Alibre is best known for its low cost and simplicity: users can easily create complex 3D CAD designs for the fraction of the cost of other systems.

Alibre 2012 offers a completely reworked graphical user interface, with a style similar to other Windows 7 productivity applications. New tools have been added for surfacing, sketching, relations and more. .

Alibre Design introduced in-place editing last release, as an enhancement in 2D drafting. This year, in-place editing toolbars have been introduced for part modelling, notably for sketch creation. In-place editing greatly improves speed-of-interface by reducing mouse travel for each command, and need to manually change toolbars. Alibre Design 2012 also lets you project sketches to other sketches, letting you reuse the work you've already done in new features.

Two major enhancements have been included for surface modelling. Surfaces may now be pasted directly from either MoI (free with Alibre Design Expert) or Rhino CAD. A complete new toolset for surface manipulation includes commands for Split Surface, Trim Surface, Stitch, Convert Solid to Surface, Create Surface from Face, and Delete Face.

2D mechanical drafting enhancements include support for multiple leaders from a single annotation, more flexible hatching, improved drafting geometry constraints and border selection for notations. .

Other general improvements include the placement of InterDesign relations in Alibre Design's feature tree and secondary cuts for sheet metal parts. For a free 30 day trial of the new Alibre 2012 - either as Windows XP 32-bit or Windows 7 64-bit native application - download Alibre 2012 HERE.

CADDIT has been supporting Alibre Design products in Australia since 2008. For more information about Alibre Design in Australia, contact CADDIT.net HERE.

progeCAD 2011 Released with New Architectural Options

2011-08-02T21:18:00.012+10:00

progeCAD 2011 Professional has been released on CADDIT, with a twist: three new modules for architects. progeCAD is already a low-cost design tool of choice by architects and designers for its reliability and strong compatibility with the well-known AutoCAD solution from Autodesk in the USA. For years progeCAD software has supported advanced AutoCAD-like drafting commands for layouts, blocks, rendering, 3D boolean modelling, PDF and XML publishing and more.

Experienced progeCAD users will immediately notice that progeCAD's former 10000 block symbol library ALE has been replaced with the new iCADlib manager which has been extended to over 20,000 CAD symbols. iCADlib includes integrated keyword-category search and access to dozens of up-to-date CAD symbols via online access to a new progeCAD/Traceparts library.

Specific to architectural design, progeCAD is introducing two new products. EasyArch is a free collection of editable 2D macros for doors, windows, walls, stairs and other architectural elements commonly used in house and building design. EasyArch features the ability to dynamically insert and trim walls with common predefined blocks of architectural symbols such as windows and doors with parameters for easy dimensioning and attribute definition. Here is an example of the dialogue box for editing a staircase drawn with EasyArch:

Also in testing at CADDIT is also progeCAD Architecture - a complete 3D parametric BIM building design package for progeCAD. Some YouTube demonstrations of progeCAD architecture have been made available at http://www.youtube.com/user/pCADArchitecture. We are currently evaluating its suitability for Australian design requirements and would welcome individual requests to give the test version a go.

progeCAD 2011 Professional can be downloaded from CADDIT for a full 30 day trial at THIS LINK.

CADDIT is offering a 15% discount to all progeCAD upgrades purchased in the next 30 days until 1 September 2011. Our 15% upgrade discount includes all progeCAD Professional, progeCAD USB and progeCAD Network licenses. CADDIT is an international CAD/CAM/PLM software partner based in Sydney Australia. CADDIT can be contacted via any of the details posted at THIS LINK.

Free Upgrade to progeCAD 2011 Windows. CAD for MAC Released.

2011-05-25T15:05:00.013+10:00

25 May 2011 Sydney time - CADDIT has announced the upcoming release of progeCAD 2011 for June-July timeframe. As of 25 May 2011 Sydney timezone, all new licenses and upgrades purchased of progeCAD 2010 Professional for Microsoft Windows, including progeCAD USB, Network NLM and Office license options, will receive a free upgrade to the new version of progeCAD 2011 for Windows upon its release, at no additional charge. This offer also includes all users who upgrade progeCAD now from an older version or from another older CAD package. This promotion does not include progeCAD Standard, and will conclude at the announcement of progeCAD 2011 release.

Over four years in development and planning, progeCAD 2011 for Windows is a largely re-written product from the ground up. progeCAD 2011 is a milestone release as regards compatibility to AutoCAD and other design products. progeCAD 2011 longer stores DWG/DXF using the old internal ITC database, rather is built directly on Teigha® DRX. This dramatically improves file performance (read/write speeds, etc). Although ITC SDS modules will still be supported for some time, progeCAD 2011 is the first generation offering developer access to a genuine DRX C++ API.

progeCAD is a trusted name for many companies looking for reasonably-priced CAD software for working with AutoCAD DWG files, plan view drawing, fixture plumbing and electrical layout and other design work. A free download of progeCAD is available at this LINK.

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No AutoCAD LT for MAC? Try iCADMac from CADDIT.

CADDIT has announce the availability of iCADMac in Australia and New Zealand. iCADMac is the low cost 2D/ 3D DWG and DXF CAD alternative for MAC users. Concurrent with AutoCAD commands, iCADMac opens, saves and edits direct AutoCAD® native DWG files. It is a user friendly 2D/3D CAD software using a conventional-style OS/X interface. Due to iCADMac's high level of compatibility with AutoCAD it is ideal for design professionals like architects, commercial draftsmen, land and planning surveyors, structural detailing and building designers, kitchen and bath modelers, engineers and others who use Apple computers for their work.

iCADmac offers features to make it a complete primary CAD package with hundreds of commands for 2D design and 3D modeling. These features include full geometry set of lines, arcs, splines, text, dimensions, hatches and other entities. PDF import and export makes data exchange with graphic artists easier. Tables and cells can be used for bills of materials, component lists, revisions and text to organize and manage information within your drawings. iCADMac can insert, edit and clip Raster images (scanned images, photos, images from the Internet, etc.). in a drawing; iCADMac supports jpeg, bmp, gif, and png image formats with added support for polygonal image cropping. ACIS 3D solids support allows for the direct construction of complex 3D models in your CAD drawing. The newly updated iCADMac 26 April release now includes iCADlib (the new CAD block library with 20,000 blocks), Traceparts access, and several fixes related to printing and file access.

MAC users can sign up for a free 30 day full-function iCADMac demo at this LINK. Micrsoft Windows users should consider downloading progeCAD instead. iCADMac pricing is available from CADDIT.net.

SolidWorks Alternative in Australia

2011-03-24T22:46:00.013+11:00

SolidWorks, Inventor and Solid Edge are just some examples of legacy 3D CAD solutions supported by Alibre Translate - a feature available with Alibre Design Expert at no additional cost. For those not familiar with Alibre, Alibre is an easy-to-use low cost parametric 3D CAD system mainly for mechanical engineering design of parts, assemblies, sheet metal and more. Alibre Translate (Now free with Alibre Design Expert) not only offers direct Solidworks file import of .sldprt and Solidworks .sldasm assemblies, but also Autodesk Inventor .ipt and .iam files, Solid Edge files and much more.

Alibre easily handles large SolidWorks assemblies like this laptop computer

SolidWorks users should have little trouble understanding Alibre's straight-forward solid modelling and assembly design interfaces. feature sketch, extrusion, subtraction, shelling, draft, lofting are all functions also supported in Alibre Design. Alibre Design Expert adds non-parametric (direct) editing techniques commonly found in systems costing several times more than Alibre Design Expert (less than AUD $1500 in Australia - see prices here). Expert also includes Keyshot photo-rendering and Moi 3D surfacing software at no additional cost.

Alibre also offers fully integrated CNC software for 2.5-axis, 3 4 and 5-axis milling machines. Alibre CAM basic comes free with Alibre Design Expert, offering as the name indicates basic 2.5-axis milling from within the Alibre interface. A full comparison of Alibre CAM options are shown HERE. Solidworks users can also import their SolidWorks model into Alibre CAM for manufacturing.

Alibre Design is an easy, inexpensive and intuitive option for SolidWorks users. Although Alibre 2D detailing and drafting environment is quite comprehensive, Alibre also integrates well with advanced 2D CAD drafting solutions like Autodesk AutoCAD or progeCAD, a low-cost AutoCAD clone. A free 30-day trial of Alibre Design can be requested directly from CADDIT Australia by following the links and downloading HERE.

iCADmac "CAD for Mac" Released on CADDIT

2011-03-06T18:25:00.012+11:00

CAD on MAC OS/X (Version 10 or 'X' of the Apple operating System) is back. AutoCAD for Mac was (re)announced in August 2010. However, the cost of AutoCAD on Mac (several thousand dollars) makes this new option unviable for some small business looking for CAD software for Mac. As a low cost alternative to more expensive CAD on Mac systems, CADDIT will begin to offer the iCADMac product line from progeSOFT.

iCADMac "CAD for Mac" features include:

Native Mac OS/X CAD software - no Boot Camp, VMware Fusion or Parallels virtualization required.
Similar user interface to what some CAD for Mac users are already accustomed.
Read and Write AutoCAD .dwg CAD files, edit and print.
Convert PDF in to CAD / Print to PDF out from CAD
Raster image modification tools for use in CAD drawings
3D solid modeling using the same ACIS libraries as licensed by AutoCAD
Table and cell support used for bills of materials, component lists and more.
Advanced interface for gradient hatching, entity property bar etc
ALE symbol library including ready 15.000 Blocks for use in your drawing
AutoLISP and ODA DRX C++ programming support
Permanent perpetual license
12 Months free upgrade maintenance with new license with option to renew

CADDIT will be offering an AUD$175 discount to RRP pricing until 22 April. Architects, engineers, technicians and other CAD users looking for "CAD for Mac" will also enjoy free upgrades to additional functionality released in the iCADMac product for 12 months from the date of purchase. iCADmac can be downloaded for a free for a 30 day trial HERE. Questions about iCADMac in Australia and New Zealand should be directed to CADDIT here.

Note for Windows users - those looking for a reliable, low-cost 2D / 3D design solution on Microsoft Windows should download progeCAD for Windows HERE.

Alibre 2011 Update with New MoI Surfacing Software

2010-11-22T19:05:00.012+11:00

Alibre Design 2011 was first released in late 2010 offering a number of important new features:

Alibre's first native 64-bit version
New "in-place editing" UI framework
New MIRROR and SCALE modelling commands
On-the-fly library creation
Direct 3D Solid->SheetMetal conversion

MoI:
In addition to these new features, Alibre Design Expert user licenses sold after 2 December 2010 are now entitled to get MoI - Moment of Inspiration - freeform surfacing software. At this point the best link between MoI and Alibre itself seems to be using STEP data, although ACIS SAT and IGES are also offered by MoI (the IGES interface seemed to loose the most data in our lab test, but we were expecting that). One major advantage MoI offers is a "point-and-click" workflow that doesn't require use of special ALT-key combinations, which makes it perhaps more practical for use on tablet PCs.

KeyShot for Alibre:
"KeyShot for Alibre - Basic" is new realtime photorealistic rendering software offered with Alibre Design Professional and Alibre Design Expert. The updated capabilities of KeyShot for Alibre (formerly "KeyShot for CAD") are outlined in this brochure, and summarized in the chart provided below:

	*KeyShot for Alibre Edition Basic* (shipped w/ Pro & Expert)**	KeyShot for Alibre Edition (optional)
Max Real-time Resolution	1024x768 pixels		1920x1080 pixels
Max Non Real-time Resolution	N/A		2500x1600 pixels
Render with alpha channel	No		Yes
Extra Control over Render settings	No		Yes

It is worth noting that, although Alibre Design is now available as a native AMD64 bit application (Windows 7 compatible) many of the Alibre add-ons such as Alibre CAM and Alibre Motion are not yet. The 32-bit version Alibre add-ons will not work with Alibre 64-bit software and require Alibre 32-bit to install and run. However there seems little problem in running Alibre 32-bit version on a 64-bit PC now. Since the first major release of Alibre's latest version of their easy-to-use 3D CAD system, a few minor bugfix updates have also been made available and the latest version of Alibre can be downloaded HERE.

PTC Creo Announced for Project Lightning

2010-10-30T19:25:00.026+11:00

Parametric Technology Corporation announced "creo, a PTC Product" at the at the Park Plaza Castle in Boston USA last week. "creo" is the name given to the overall design platform of PTC product development tools for "the next twenty years". According to PTC CEO Jim Heppelmann, creo "is the Latin root of the word create and... means I think, I create, I believe". Creo is slated as successor to the long-successful Pro/ENGINEER product line.

The new PTC Creo design platform is more than a new CAD program. Creo is a completely redeveloped design software framework that delivers a seamless and uniform design interface for modelling, drawing, simulation, detailing, manufacturing and other applications. Creo will accomplish this by means of a common data model capable of merging design information in from multiple design modes - not just parametric. With Creo, PTC answers four ongoing pain issues widespread in product development industries today:

Ease of use for casual users and non-CAD personell
Interoperability to use CAD files from any given CAD program
Switching costs caused by migrating data from other CAD software
high-level configuration driven design with multiple variations

PTC Creo will answer these problems respectively via the four cornerstone technologies upon which new Creo applications are built:

AnyRole Apps - scalable, easy and "role specific" applications for all types of users
AnyMode Modeling - seamless data portability across multiple CAD drawing modes
AnyData Adoption - enables direct CAD file editing in Creo from any CAD system
AnyBOM Assembly - drive 3D CAD assembly configurations using Windchill PLM - watch THIS...

The full event can be watched HERE. What I find interesting about AnyMode Assembly is PTC's departure from today's typical large-CAD business rhetoric, insisting that all CAD users are best served using in-depth 3D design mode tools. In observation, Brian Shepherd Executive Vice President, PTC Product Development stated "some users... are best served working in a 2D mode." He went on to say "We don't need a religious zeal around converting from one mode to another. We're about any mode."

PTC has an initial release target of summer 2011 for the new "Creo, a PTC product". CAD users are encouraged to keep their PTC maintenance current and active, so as to be in best position to enjoy these new technologies when they are released. For more information in Australia about either PTC Pro/ENGINEER or next year's new Creo platform, feel free to contact CADDIT here.

progeCAD Free to Schools

2010-09-28T00:51:00.009+10:00

progeCAD is a powerful but low-cost architectural or mechanical design package, somewhat similar to AutoCAD from Autodesk. progeCAD features include Autodesk's DWG format read/write for all versions of AutoCAD from 2010 and as far back as R11. Most of the basic commands are the same, workflow and interface all follow a similar logic. For years CADDIT Australia has been offering progeCAD Professional annual licenses to schools free of charge. One school in the New South Wales TAFE system wrote of progeCAD:

I personally consider that your company’s provision of this program for academic purposes, free of charge is the best thing that has happened to the CAD industry for a long time... I teach across a number of campuses in the Hunter and am trying to convince other sections to switch over from AutoCAD to ProgeCAD for teaching purposes. The benefits of allowing students to download the program and develop their skills at home at no cost cannot be underestimated, apart from the ethical aspect of positively discouraging the use of pirated AutoCAD software.

CSTC in Queensland Australia writes:

It is an exceptional program in the standards it allows students to apply to drawing - variety of linetypes, lineweights, hatchs patterns etc. We are enjoying using it, our trainees and apprentices appear to like the feel of it. Great program.

A few of CADDIT's academic program subscribers are from outside Australia. One school from overseas writes:

Since we only have a single, one-semester course that uses CAD, this offer CADDIT makes to license ProgeCAD to schools at no charge is a wonderful effort supporting education. Our students are able to gain experience with professional software and several have applied these skills in internships and subsequent educational experiences in vocational/technical programs and college. Without ProgeCAD's support, we would be forced to use some consumer-level software, as it would be extremely difficult to justify spending thousands of dollars to license professional CAD software for a lab that will be used with a single class of students.

Another student used the opportunity to submit a new concept for a local highway intersection to local planning authorities..
progeCAD can be downloaded free of cost HERE. For more information about how progeCAD can be used in your school, visit http://www.caddit.net/progecad/educational.php

Alibre Design 2011 - New Features

2010-08-19T22:31:00.007+10:00

Alibre Design is one of Australia's most affordable mid-range 3d mechanical CAD solutions. Within the next several weeks Alibre 2011 is expected for release. This major release both adds new features as well as improving many existing ones. A crucial focus for Alibre Design 2011 has been improvement in efficiency and ease of use, including fully customizable keymaps and in-place editing. Developers may also be interested to know that much of Alibre is now written in the Microsoft C# programming language, which allows developers to add new features even faster than before. Here are a few of the many feature enhancements of the new Alibre 2011 version release:

Alibre Design 2011 will offer Alibre's first native 64-bit version, which basically means you can make larger, more complex assemblies and have more files open simultaneously, without the restrictions of older 32-bit operating systems and memory access. With the offering of a 64 bit version comes a tremendous increase in both what can be created in Alibre Design and the types of workflows people can use. Both Alibre Design Professional and Expert versions will be offered as 64-bit editions.

Direct 3D Solid->SheetMetal conversion will allow CAD designers to take ordinary 3d solid models or imported 3D files (like STEP or Parasolid) and automatically convert these into sheet metal parts that can be flattened and machined in Alibre CAM. Of course, the resulting sheet metal parts are fully associative to their original counterparts, so that if you change the original model, the associated sheet metal version will update automatically. The new solid to sheet metal conversion tool will only be offered with Alibre Design Expert edition.

Alibre Design 2011 will add new MIRROR and SCALE modelling commands. Alibre 2011 will offer a new "Double Intersect" sketch command that allows you to join two figures at their theoretical intersection. The tool has several modes, all completely transparent to you, which adapts to the types of figures and orientations that a designer encounters. Alibre 2011 will also make it possible to create libraries of your most commonly used hole types on the fly. Simply fill out the form, type a name, and press Create. The hole's parameters can now be recalled instantly via the Presets dropdown. Alibre 2011 will also offer a new multi-plane creation tool, which can be useful when drawing multiple solid loft profiles, etc.

Alibre will begin rolling out their new "in-place editing" UI framework with Alibre Design 2011. In-place editing takes floating toolbars and context menus much further by opening relevant toolbars and icons just by selecting entities. Any changes are immediately displayed in real time, and to close in-place editing toolbars, we simply move the mouse away from the entity we initially selected. Alibre Design 2011 will offer this framework first in its Detailed Drawing Workspace, but is eventually to be deployed in various forms throughout the product.

Until release, CADDIT will begin offering free upgrades to all new Alibre Design Expert users a free upgrade to Alibre Design Expert 2011 upon release - but while still at current sale prices for V12.1. Alibre is suitable for a wide variety of mechanical design projects, including machine design, fixture design, vehicle and product development, sheet metal products and more. A free full-version trial of the current Alibre Design software in Australia can be downloaded here. For further questions about Alibre products, CADDIT support can be contacted HERE.

CAD Software Update for progeCAD 2010 Users

2010-08-13T00:34:00.006+10:00

CADDIT.net has released a new update of progeCAD 2010 10.0.10.8 for immediate download on their website. progeCAD is a low-cost compliment for AutoCAD from Autodesk, offering similar commands and editing AutoCAD DWG files but costing thousands less to buy. The progeCAD 10.0.10.8 update is free to all licensed progeCAD 2010 users and offers several key fixes that our users have requested, including these listed below:

For End Users:
Gradient hatch: improved visualization in printing
Improved performance when layouts have hidden or shaded viewports
ICAD.LSP continues loading even when reading ICAD.SDS fails
Fixed active layout in status bar opening a drawing on paper space
Last path used to open drawings is saved correctly
Fixed save of Dynamic blocks of DWG 2010 version
Fixed save of drawings containing Multileader and improved plot settings extraction
Fixed change of active DIMSTYLE in dialog
Changed reopen of property palette after print, to avoid conflict between print dialog and property palette
Fixed isolated crashes caused by certain entity displays
Fixed isolated crashes on Trim/Extend commands
Fixed problem of command typing with Windows 7 (Chinese Version)

For Developers:
Fixed 'send of message' to VBI workspaces

New Features:
Added Beta version of LispDefender (Lisp protection)
Added Proxy capability for both updater and registration

AutoCAD LT users are especially invited to try this latest release of progeCAD 2010. progeCAD offers several important features that AutoCAD LT does not, including 3D modelling and rendering, full programmability (C++, VBA, AutoLISP), multiple profile support, Network Licensing, DWG 14 export, Express Tools, Image Tools, advanced PDF printing and more. A free no-obligation trial of progeCAD Professional can be downloaded HERE.

Mathcad 15.0 Integration with Knovel Math

2010-08-13T00:10:00.004+10:00

MathCAD 15.0 now integrates Knovel® Math for updated MathCAD Extended Libraries for Mechanical, Civil and Electrical engineering. Knovel Math offers MathCAD users fully documented engineering and math worksheets from trusted reference works which have been validated and quality tested. Transcribing equations for math calculations is often an extremely time consuming process. Knovel Math helps to speed up this process by quickly finding the required calculations, changing the input values in MathCAD and updating these instantly. Topics can be quickly searched and MathCAD enabled articles will be identified by the symbol . Articles are offered in both US Customary units and metric units for ease of use. Articles are opened in MathCAD with anything highlighted in green are the input values that can be changed and yellow highlighting indicates the output values which are updated instantly. MathCAD 14 users can also use the old Library Extensions from that version on MathCAD 15, as well.

How Does Knovel Benefit Mathcad 15 Users?
Active PTC Maintenance Support Customers have additional access to several other resources including Knovel. Members need to log into the website http://www.ptc.com/support/maintenance/gold/index.htm and follow the links to the Knovel website. Log in requires your active PTC Web Support username and password. For a limited time, PTC Maintenance Customers can sign-up and gain free access to Knovel without obligation. MathCAD customers are also entitled to 10 free downloads in any format (MathCAD, Excel, PDF etc).

What Kind of Solution Content Does Knovel Offer?
Knovel Math provides a variety of MathCAD worksheets on topics such as statics, stress and strain, flexural analysis, steel, concrete and timber, surveying, fluid mechanics, engineering economics to name a few. Using Knovel Math’s search database makes it easy to find worksheets or browse through the several MathCAD enabled articles. Once the desired worksheet is found, clicking on the MathCAD link will automatically download the worksheet into MathCAD. All documents are fully documented with detailed descriptions, some diagrams and worked examples.
Knovel also currently offers a “Free Titles Package” which is a free subscription package containing more than 10 premier handbooks and databases. Registration is free however this package won’t allow you access to the full to all the information available but it does give you enough access to get a taste of what Knovel can offer. Several of their most widely used titles are included in the free subscription which includes:
• Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences
• Electric Machinery and Transformers (3rd Edition)
• Engineering Problem Solving - A Classical Perspective
• Essential Practices for Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards
• Handbook of Mathematical Functions with Formulas, Graphs, and Mathematical Tables
• Handbook of Nanomedicine
• Hyperspectral Data Compression
• International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology (1st Electronic Edition)
• Knovel Critical Tables (2nd Edition)
• Knovel Sample Book
• Large-Scale Adsorption and Chromatography, Volumes 1-2
• Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS-01)
• Smithsonian Physical Tables (9th Revised Edition)
• Teaching Engineering
• Wettability
As an added bonus Knovel® also offers registered users access to new and popular handbooks via their “Titles of the Week Program” where every week, 2 popular titles from their extensive databases are chosen and made available for a limited time. All of which can be used to enhance your MathCAD experience especially for those with a strong engineering background. Knovel® Math can be accessed via MathCAD in the main page by going to Tools > Knovel® > Search Knovel Math. This will direct you to their website or alternatively you can go to http://www.knovel.com/web/portal/main.

The new Knovel MathCAD options are one aspect of the value Mathcad 15 delivers to its users. For a free demo of Mathcad 15 inside Australia, test users can download the free full-version trial HERE. Users outside Australia should contact their local PTC partner, or contact PTC directly.

Mathcad 15 Available from CADDIT Australia

2010-06-24T19:08:00.003+10:00

Mathcad 15 is now available from CADDIT Australia. According to the official release, "Mathcad 15.0 includes over 25 new functions, more robust reference libraries and integration with third-party tools, including the latest version of Microsoft Excel. Additionally, the Mathcad 15.0 integration with existing engineering platforms like Pro/ENGINEER®, as well as with PTC’s Windchill® solutions, Windchill PDMLink® and Windchill ProductPoint®, enables better management of critical engineering content, making it easier to share and reuse information leading to standardization and best practices." More than three years have passed since Mathcad 14 was released in the beginning of 2007.

Some new features in Mathcad 15 include:
• Mathcad 15 is Windows 7 compatible (officially supported on Windows7)
• Design of Experiments (DoE) – Over 25 new functions to reduce the time and expense of conducting experiments using DoE.
• Data link for the latest versions of Microsoft Excel® – Mathcad functions include READEXCEL(), WRITEEXCEL(), READFILE, an Excel data import wizard and an Excel Add-in.
• Integration to Knovel® Math content – (more information below).
• Integration with Kornucopia® software – Reduce time and effort spent on analysis by providing functions and templates using Mathcad-based documented workflows. Improves interpretations and value of experimental data and simulation results.

A complete product brochure for Mathcad 15 can be downloaded HERE.

Mathcad 15 license options are Individual node locked or registered user, Floating (network) and Global. Node locked licenses are fixed to a specific PC, floating licenses can each have one user at a time, by anyone on a local network (i.e. three network users all using Mathcad at the same time will need three floating licenses, etc) Schools and universities may also choose from the Student Edition, Professor Edition (node locked) and University Editions (floating). The Single User license will be effectively discontinued.

All PTC active support customers now receive:
• 24x5 technical support
• No charge access to all software updates and upgrades
• Access to the Knowledge Base which includes searchable product specific content and resources
• Discounts on product level upgrades
• Online web support and License Management tools
• “Tips and Techniques” web casts for product demos and basic training
• Gold Loyalty Program discounts with partners including Dell, Knovel, Lenovo.

In addition to the above, Mathcad customers are also entitled to:
• An additional license at no charge to be used on the Home PC of a user utilizing a network license in the office.
• Node Locked customers receive 1 Home Use License for each active license
• Floating customers receive 2 Home Use licenses for every 1 seat they maintain.
• Up to 10 Free content downloads from Knovel (more information below). Mathcad customers will particularly be interested in Knovel Math which provides fully documented Mathcad worksheets from Roarks Formulas for Stress and Strain- 7th Edition, Hicks Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations, and the Foundation Engineering Handbook.

A new partner for updated Mathcad Extended Libraries:
With past versions, PTC Mathcad included Library Extensions for Mechanical, Civil and Electrical engineering. PTC has a new relationship with content provider Knovel, who maintain updated library extensions for Mathcad called Knovel Math. Those with Mathcad 14 can also use the old Library Extensions from that version on Mathcad 15, as well.

For more information about Mathcad 15 in Australia, contact a local partner HERE. A trial user version of Mathcad 15 is not yet ready. Mathcad 14 in Australia can still be directly downloaded from CADDIT.net HERE. Trial users from regions outside Australia should contact either their own local PTC partner or download the trial directly from PTC.

How Outsourcing to China will "Bring it Home"

2010-06-22T19:51:00.052+10:00

Mei (name changed) is a Chinese factory worker who makes toys sold overseas. She works 12 hours except on Saturday when she is permitted to only work six hours. She lives in a small flat with her husband and one child. She was pregnant with a second but the local authorities forced her to have an abortion. For two years she managed raising their living child alone, because her husband was being detained under suspicion of having ties to a certain religion. This is not Hollywood, this is nothing remarkable, this is common people's life.. in mainland China.

The phenomenon of outsourcing to China took on a complete new dimension in the USA, with the sudden success of what some consider the single largest retail scandal in American history - Wal*Mart. According to the PBS documentary STORE WARS: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town:

Made in the U.S.A? Despite a well-publicized "Made in the U.S.A." campaign, 85 percent of the stores' items are made overseas, often in Third World sweatshops. In fact, only after Wal-Mart's "Buy American" ad campaign was in full swing did the company become the country's largest importer of Chinese goods in any industry. By taking its orders abroad, Wal-Mart has forced many U.S. manufacturers out of business.

(note the above recording of Wal-Mart's 1992 television ad "Bring it Home to the USA" was removed from YouTube several weeks after this article was published)

Most Americans never saw past the red-white-and-blue logo of this seemingly phony patriotism. Wal*Mart stock price skyrocketed with its success. Wal*Mart would ultimately get away with "selling the American economy" to Chinese elite on an unprecedented scale. Other retailers - by choice or by necessity - also increased Chinese imports. The Chinese elite came to understand that a great weakness of their western counterparts was the overwhelming self-centeredness of some. And as Wal*Mart showed everyone, you only need some. Convince one to outsource - two more follow. Others resist, but as their own products loose markets to cheaper competition, they too are soon forced to follow suit in a massive avalanche of outsourcing. This flood of new low-cost, low-quality product to store shelves also fostered a new "use up and throw away" mentality in people, which produces more waste and garbage.

But it gets worse. In early 2009 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a collateral agreement in Beijing which grants China the right to claim Eminent Domain of LAND within the USA as security for all the debt this has helped cause. America has now quite literally - and quietly - mortgaged itself to China, and most people living there don't even know. Americans can partly thank their local Wal-Mart - after all - "They Care", as their carts say. All of this for the everyday low price of cheap tube socks and $2 a day paid in sweat shops that nobody else had to look at. So, for those who want to move to China, there is good news. We just keep outsourcing to China, and China will be brought to us.

"Alibre Design Personal" Replaces Standard & Xpress versions; New Alibre Products

2010-06-15T18:15:00.001+10:00

Alibre is a powerful but easy-to-use 3D mechanical CAD package which is distributed and supported in Australia through CADDIT.net. Beginning in mid-May, Alibre no longer offered a "Standard" version of their CAD software. Alibre Design "Standard" has been replaced with the Alibre Design "Personal" version, mainly for hobby use. Also, the free version referred to as "Alibre Design Xpress" will no longer be available to new users. Current users of these products, however, should be able to continue using them as-is without any change to their software. A note to those who purchased Alibre Design from us during our last promotion, well done - you have a package worth about $1000 for under $200. Alibre Design Personal now has some new limitations in comparison to its predecessor, Alibre Design Standard:

Single install license (no take-home license, multiple keys etc)
Advanced Import / Export features are deactivated
Import DWG / DXF is still enabled
Export .STL is still enabled for 3D printers
Publish 3D PDF (for models only) is still available
No STEP, IGES, SAT, Rhino, image files
Files are not enumerated unless you select All files (*.*)
Turn-off Advanced Detail Drawing (see further..)
No Bill of Materials
No Detail, Section, Partial, or Broken views
No views for Centers, Cosmetic Threads, External Threads, or No Hole Call-outs

CAD users looking for competent 3D mechanical CAD software are really encouraged to at least go with Alibre Design Professional now. Algor DesignCheck FEA is now called "Simulation Express" from Autodesk and will continue to be available as before. Alibre also has a new partner for delivering photo-realistic rendering to all Alibre Design Professional and Alibre Design Expert users. Luxion's KeyShot For CAD is now included in both versions and is available in Australia from CADDIT. Other Luxion users include PTC, Cadkey, SpaceClaim and Rhino. NOTE Alibre expects to also have new KeyShot BIP file export enabled within Alibre Design by the end of June.

KeyShot For CAD allows Alibre Pro and Expert users to create full photo-realistic images for their model within minutes. And - much like Alibre itself - Keyshot is easy to use. Drag-and-drop materials, preset lighting, and real-time updates give you the final result all the time. KeyShot is the first and only rendering application that offers real-time ray-tracing. This means that your model is constantly being rendered as you zoom, pan, rotate, and apply materials and lighting presets. For more information about Alibre Design 3D CAD in Australia feel free to CONTACT CADDIT.net. A free 30-day PROFESSIONAL trial of Alibre Design can be downloaded HERE.

New progeCAD 2010 10.0.8.9 Released from CADDIT; Automatic Upgrade for Current Users

2010-06-11T01:57:00.009+10:00

progeCAD 2010 Professional 10.0.8.9 is available from CADDIT with several more small bug fixes for issues reported from our forum, customer and user feedback. These fixes include:

- Fixed "copy as block" when name is already defined in the destination drawing
- Fixed a hatch display regen bug
- Fixed polar Lisp function
- Wblock file format now uses system DWG default version (2007)
- Fixed point dragging when ORTHO and ESNAP are On
- Occasional crash on auto-save issues have been addressed
- Fixed memory leaks found with the MIRROR command
- Fixed some issues with display of some non-Latin characters
- Fixed graphics visualization issue after REDO

Current progeCAD 2010 users also having an Internet connection will be upgraded automatically if the automatic update tool is enabled. No manual download will be necessary when the update works in that case. On some systems it may be necessary to first login as administrator before this update can be performed.

Other CAD users are encouraged to download this latest as a version free trial. progeCAD 2010 Professional will run for 30 days before users can choose to license it or not. Current license options for progeCAD include single-seat, floating network licenses, mobile USB, large office licenses and more. SME small and medium enterprise may also inquire as to our quantity discounts for 5- 10- and 20-license packs. progeCAD is free for schools who join the CADDIT progeCAD educational program in Australia and New Zealand. Other questions about progeCAD software can be directed to our support office in Liverpool, Australia.

Free Pro/ENGINEER Tryout Edition DVD from CADDIT

2010-06-07T12:48:00.019+10:00

A new free PTC Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire DVD software kit is available in Australia for evaluation from CADDIT Australia. This free "Pro/ENGINEER Experience" kit includes an interactive tutorial DVD (disk #1) and an easy-to-register 30 day full evaluation version of Pro/ENGINEER software (disk #2). Pro/ENGINEER is a high-end 3D modelling, manufacturing and simulation PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) platform used in industrial and product design, automotive and aerospace, marine and manufacturing for delivering a total single platform which can scale to meet the needs of any design requirement. Some of the improvements in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 include:

Completely new 2D detail drafting environment (this was first revealed on our blog here). The new framework uses the ribbon-like Fluent UI command navigation from Microsoft. Improved plot preview and use of Adobe TrueType fonts in text.
New social product development capabilities using Pro/ENGINEER’s brand new ProductPoint^® platform, built on Microsoft^® SharePoint^® to better enable design teams to work together.
Enhanced Weld Design - New weld features, symbol annotations, and simulation enhancements enable you to design, document and analyze welded structures. You can analyze weldment models up to 10X faster, shown below:

Realtime photo-realistic rendering with raytracing support for shadows and reflections. Pro/ENGINEER Advanced Rendering Extension (ARX) now includes the mental images rendering engine for unsurpassed realism.
Machine simulation can drive slot motor components along curves, quickly create belts to account for kinematic and dynamic coupling, analyze dynamic gears, and model 3D contacts. More high-end analysis capabilities with expanded support for heterogeneous units, improvements to icon and label displays, an intuitive dashboard UI for surface and volume regions, and support for materials plasticity.
Improved 5-axis CNC machining quickly and easily duplicate tool paths and leverage the process manager for turning operations, such as area turning, grooving and profile turning.
Exchange Autodesk Inventor® and SolidWorks® files, including non-geometric data exchange capabilities - you can preserve 3D notes, annotations and metadata in neutral formats. And the new 3D import wizards and usability enhancements for AutobuildZ™ and Import DataDoctor™.
Improvements in speed, ease of use, completely new Pro/ENGINEER Spark Analysis and Manikin Extensions, a new "Rib Tool" for plastic part design and many other enhancements...

This DVD kit is a valuable, limited time opportunity for companies to have easy access to the latest parametric CAD design technology in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5. For those interested in data management and the new Social Product Development technology, a chance to work with a live ProductPoint PDM server will also be provided. Special discount prices for Pro/ENGINEER licenses are also available until the end of June.

Australian SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) companies, individual company staff members or management can request this kit from CADDIT HERE (Australia only). In other countries you may need to contact your local PTC partner or contact PTC directly.

3D Document Publishing from TransMagic

2010-05-01T00:51:00.018+10:00

One of the sometimes overlooked (this author included) features of TransMagic 3D CAD translation software is its free 3D model viewer. TransMagic read and write a number of file formats using native libraries - CATIA, SolidWorks, JT, Siemens NX / Unigraphics, Autodesk Inventor, Pro/ENGINEER - as well as neutral formats like STEP, IGES & STL - the advantage being native, reliable 3D CAD translation between high-end CAD systems of very good quality. However what should be done to share a CAD file with a client or colleague who has no 3D CAD system at all?

Enter TransMagic's 3D web page publishing feature. This video briefly demonstrates using TransMagic to publish a STEP file to HTML and open with Windows Internet Explorer.

Saving a CAD model or assembly as an HTML page from TransMagic will create (at least) two linked files using the file name given - one HTML file which can be loaded from Windows Internet Explorer & an associated HOOPS ".hsf" file containing the actual 3D parts which use the HTML as a "container". Simply, zip or unzip both files together, upload send in email or save to the same hard disk (or server) location and open the HTML from Internet Explorer with the .HSF file present in the same directory. You can view this video's actual HTML page for yourself HERE.

Of course, HTML code can be edited to change colors, add a company logo or product information and web links as desired - so it is far more effective in making product presentations than a binary viewer - and transmits far more successfully in email. It also adds the possibility (perhaps also using TransMagic's batch-convert option) to publish 3D part catalogs on a website that visitors can navigate and "inspect" in real time 3D.

For Australia and New Zealand, TransMagic can be downloaded locally from CADDIT. From other lands, please refer to http://www.transmagic.com/.

Free Pro/ENGINEER "Lite" CNC, FEA, Structural Steel & Ergonomics Design Modules

2010-04-21T16:35:00.022+10:00

Did you know that every seat of Pro/ENGINEER now includes full-featured CAD/CAM milling, mechanical assembly FEA simulation, human factor analysis ("Manikin" analysis) piping and cabling design?* Here is a list of functionality now delivered to every Pro/ENGINEER user with updated maintenance:

CAM Lite – (Expert Machinist)
Pro/ENGINEER Foundation XE includes a basic 2 ½-axis CNC milling license, allowing machining of prismatic parts in 5-axis positioning. There are no “Menu Manager" menus; interface is completely icon/dialog driven. Pro/ENGINEER NC Lite follows a simple workflow:

Specify final part and original material stock
"Work cell" definition - specify milling machine type and machine zero
Toolpath strategies - define machining "features" to block list
Toolpath calculation is virtually automatic when all parameters are defined
Post CNC machine G-code (generic FANUC post processor included)

Toolpath definitions are stored independently of machine features. More specific additional NC G-code POST processors can be used, they should be acquired from AustinNC or other developers.

CAE Lite – "Mechanica Lite"
Pro/MECHANICA finite element analysis and simulation ("FEA") for maximum 100 surfaces. CAE Lite enables you to perform static structural analysis on parts and assemblies so you can virtually test your product earlier in the design cycle. Intuitive interface walks users through analysis setup:
• Static Structural Analysis for Parts and Assemblies
• Apply Loads and Constraints (Displacement, Pin, Ball, Planar)
• Full results functionality
• Results Probing, Animation, etc…
Leverages Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica technology. Complete upward model compatibility to the full version of Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica for large-scale analysis.

Manikin Lite
Find out how a human might interact with your design with ergonomic studies. Any Pro/ENGINEER user may load, place, edit placement and manipulate a manikin in the product scene. Explore the base concept of digital human modeling, directly inside Pro/ENGINEER!
• Limited selection of full manikin design extension tools for manipulation (2D drag and apply posture only)
• Manikin Extension adds the capabilities to check reach envelopes, vision cones, first person vision window
• Manikin LITE analysis extension offers Pro/ENGINEER users several important ergonomic analysis software tools for product designs.

Pro/ENGINEER Frame Extensions Lite (EFX)
Beginning with Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 M020, EFX Lite is now also available to all new and maintenance users. Expert Framework (EFX) is for structural steel design, framework assemblies made up of steel beams, aluminum profiles and other types of custom profiles. Customers are using EFX to create industrial machinery, cranes, buildings, assembly lines, conveyor systems, marine structures, roof designs and much more. Essentially all the engineer needs to do is to create or import the underlying structural shape using Pro/ENGINEER datum curves, where the curves represent the major structural beams. Designers then use EFX commands to convert these shapes directly to framework assembly / structural profile.

WILDFIRE 5.0 is now available, for Pro/ENGINEER information inside Australia you can contact CADDIT via their website http://www.caddit.net/ or http://www.cadcam.com.au/ For an up-to-date product comparison between the several available product bundles included with Pro/ENGINEER, see the PTC website HERE.

*Lite modules included free as of Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0 refresh M70

progeCAD Upgrades: What are my choices?

2010-03-29T17:52:00.009+11:00

Until 11 May 2010, CADDIT.net is sharing in a global limited-time 15% discount for all upgrades to progeCAD 2010 Professional. This includes discounts to the following basic upgrade options:

Upgrade progeCAD 2009 to progeCAD 2010
Upgrade progeCAD 2008 to progeCAD 2010
Upgrade progeCAD Network License
Upgrade progeCAD USB License

The procedure for upgrading progeCAD online is simple: select the matching progeCAD upgrade for your current license, fill out the bottom text box of the product page with your current serial code(s) and complete the order as usual.

It is also possible online to migrate or convert different CAD licenses to progeCAD Professional, Network or USB versions.

To upgrade from an older version of AutoCAD LT (2004 or newer), IntelliCAD 6, certain versions of TurboCAD Professional, Vectorworks, Microstation, BricsCAD and other software HERE. As with direct upgrades for progeCAD, upgrading simply requires entering a valid license code and a description of the old CAD software in the bottom text box provided. Always check this cross-over order form for a list of software currently qualifying for upgrade.

To convert from either progeCAD Professional stand-alone license or another CAD package to progeCAD Professional USB version, use this order page and select which system you are upgrading from the drop-down menu "product-current" toward the bottom of the order page, as well as filling out the current serial number. The final price for the USB upgrade varies depending from which previous CAD program that one upgrades from.

For example, why "upgrade" from AutoCAD LT 2006 to progeCAD Professional 2010? Here are some reasons: AutoCAD DWG 2010 file editing, Windows Vista & Windows 7 support, 3D modeling and rendering, AutoLISP and VBA programming, Google Earth export, Express Tools, Quick Dimensioning, PDF import, Raster to Vector tools, gradient hatching - all offered in progeCAD at modest cost - but not in AutoCAD LT 2006. In fact, while the gap between AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD widens, the gap between progeCAD and AutoCAD is narrowing.

A full version of the new progeCAD 2010 Professional (with 10.0.4 patch) can be downloaded HERE. It will run without limitation for 30 days before you can decide if it meets your needs.

progeCAD 2010 Released. AutoCAD Clone Reads AutoCAD 2010 Files, Windows 7 Compatible

2010-02-04T01:12:00.014+11:00

Sydney, Australia - CADDIT and progeSOFT are happy to announce the milestone software release of progeCAD 2010. Also to be known as "progeCAD CLASSIC", this will be the final and best release ever available on the established IntelliCAD 6 platform (future versions will be based on new IntelliCAD 7 DRX technology). AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT software compatibility has been a priority. This unique "bridge" release delivers many features users have requested:

AutoCAD 2010 DWG file read/write
Windows 7 compatibility
PDF import & export with layers support
Brand New Property Palette, with hide & fly-out.
Brand New Boundary Hatch Interface, including gradient hatching
Advanced CTB (Greyscale print and Screening)
Polygon Layout Viewport Boundaries in Paper space
SOLPROF - 2D profile image extraction from ACIS solids
Improved Selection Windows with Dynamic Entity Highlighting

progeCAD 2010 now supports export to the following file formats: PDF, 3DS (Autodesk 3D Studio MAX), POV (Povray raytracer), Lightwave, ACIS .SAT, SVG (XML format), O2C, GoogleEarth KML, DWG and DXF (also a number of raster image formats).

Performance & stability improvements have been made throughout progeCAD. Real time pan, zoom, file operation, printing, 3D shading while rotating 3D models (via "shade" command + CTRL-Right Mouse Button), 3D operation has improved, paper space operation - all these aspects have been improved upon as well. The greatest advantage remains Windows 7 and AutoCAD 2010 support.

Why called "progeCAD CLASSIC"? While it is a new product, progeCAD 2010 represents the final version based on time-proven IntelliCAD 6 technology, a few parts of which evidently still trace back to the very early days of IntelliCAD. Future progeCAD releases will use a new DRX technology from the completely rewritten IntelliCAD 7. So from a certain historical point of view, progeCAD 2010 is perhaps the greatest direct realization of a software design that started fourteen years ago. To salute this long-standing achievement, CADDIT has dubbed progeCAD 2010 a "CLASSIC".

Interested to try it out? Here is a link to download the full version of progeCAD. progeCAD offers Professional, Stand-Alone, USB Dongle, Network NLM and Full Office Licenses. Free support for all versions of progeCAD is offered directly from CADDIT technicians on the CAD forum.

P.S. We will begin notifying customers who took advantage of our free upgrade offer about their new licenses as soon as perhaps next week.

Alibre Price Now Just $99 in Australia, Alibre 12.1 Released

2010-02-02T01:03:00.005+11:00

CADDIT has released Alibre 12.1 3D CAD Software in Australia, with the following new permanent price structure:

Alibre Design Standard: AUD $99.00
Alibre Design Professional: AUD $549.00
Alibre Design Expert: $1099.00

Alibre Design can be downloaded directly from CADDIT Australia HERE. This software will run in 30-day trial Professional mode before reverting to Alibre Design Xpress. All prices are listed ex-GST.

New pricing for upgrades and maintenance have also been published on CADDIT for Australia. For a complete price list of Alibre Design software and add-ons, see the CADDIT online shop HERE.

Linux Network Printing from progeCAD using Samba

2010-01-25T13:07:00.010+11:00

One common network configuration for business file storage and printing is the use of Linux file and print servers on low-cost PC hardware. The advantages of UNIX & Linux servers in an SMB office automation environment are:

Linux (also some UNIX, i.e. Solaris) is free to download
Linux is secure, fast and stable
Linux is scalable and highly configurable

Microsoft Windows, on the other hand, does work very well for supporting graphical end-user applications. progeCAD is a strongly graphical, end-user application for AutoCAD-compatible Computer Aided Design. To connect Windows PCs to a Linux back-office, we use Samba server. Samba is free Linux server software for sharing Windows folders or printers on a network:However, Samba will slow progeCAD's performance if not correctly configured. Samba is packaged for a wide variety of Linux types ("distributions") and installation is best carried out with free packages available for your version of Linux. Here are some more tips for setting up a network USB printer.

Once the USB printer is itself correctly configured by the local Linux printing subsystem (CUPS, LPRNG, UNIX LPR) the printer is then "shared" by its queue name onto the Windows SMB network in the Samba configuration (usually smb.conf, section shown here for Debian Linux - see Samba website for complete configuration details):

[printers]
comment = Sample Printers
path = /var/spool/samba
create mode = 0700
browseable = yes
writable = yes
guest ok = yes
public = yes
printable = yes
use client driver = no
printer admin = root

[My5500]
comment = Demo Example HP 5500 colour (change this with your own printer)
path = /var/spool/samba
browseable = yes
writable = no
guest ok = yes
printable = yes
default devmode = yes
use client driver = no
printer admin = root, administrator

Explanation: Driver configuration can either be client-side or server-side. We strongly recommend server-side drivers (default devmode = yes, use client driver = no) for speed and reliability. Only the Linux administrator is here given permission to "set up" the printer on the server side (printer admin = root). However this creates some challenges. The Windows driver will need to be "uploaded" to the Linux server. We will need to create an additional Samba configuration for allowing this:

[PRINT$]
path = /var/lib/samba/printers
guest ok = yes
browseable = yes
read only = yes
write list = root
admin users = root
create mask = 0644
directory mask = 0755

Once smb.conf is saved, Samba needs to be restarted. A quick network browse of our Linux machine from Windows (i.e. from Windows Explorer type '\\server-name') should list the shared printers and folders on that 'server-name'. NOTE: For security purposes we have only allowed "root" (and administrator) any kind of admin rights to the Samba printers. Our problem is that Windows doesn't have a UNIX user called "root". We get around this by initially connecting to our new shared printer from the DOS / Command prompt as follows:

runas /netonly /user:root "rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /p /t3 /n \\server-name\printername" (i.e. \\pc123\My5510 in this example)

You should be prompted for the Linux password for "root", and then prompted whether you want to select a Windows driver at this time - click "No".

A spartan Properties Box for this printer should appear. Click on the "Advanced" tab along the top of the box and click the "New Driver.." button. Select a 'Generic -> Ms Publisher Color Printer' if you want to send Postscript to your Linux printer (this is a good idea, CUPS will automatically reformat Postscript files to something usable by the actual USB printer hardware if correctly configured). Windows should begin uploading the local driver from your PC to the Samba server. Now click the "Apply" button at the bottom of the properties box and you should see several more tabs appear in this dialogue box if everything goes as planned. You may now close this Properties Box.

Because "administrator" is also listed as an admin for our My5500 printer, Windows administrator can make centrally-stored changes to this Samba printer (like setting paper size from Letter to A4, or changing the Postscript mode). NOTE that we have thus far only highlighted steps to configure Samba printers on the server side. Now we can finally add this as a Windows printer by navigating to \\server-name in Windows Explorer, right-clicking the printer and clicking "connect" from the drop-down menu that appears.

This post does not completely cover Samba configuration, only those tips found best practice for printing. We have found the above approach to offer best performance and reliability for printing to Samba server on Linux in progeCAD IntelliCAD (as well as Microsoft Office applications) from Windows. However other procedures may work better for different plotters and we welcome your comments here.

A Preview of Alibre CAM 2.0 CNC Software

2010-01-13T20:59:00.007+11:00

The upcoming release of Alibre Design 12.1 (SP1) will include major enhancement to the basic CAM software included free with Alibre Design Expert, as well as the four- and five-axis options available for Alibre CAM Professional and Alibre CAM Expert. Improvement to the Alibre CAM Interface will make CNC programming inside Alibre Design much easier and enjoyable to do. Here is one comparison between the crowded old (left) tab interface and the new (right) cascading style:

But more than the lookand feel of Alibre CAM will change. A new entry method has been added to 2.5 axis profile milling operations allowing you to have more control over the entry angle.You can now create tabs/bridges for 2.5 axis profiling operations. You can specify the bridge height and length. You can also specify whether you want to use a particular number of bridges which will be equally distributed around the profiles or you can set an exact distance between bridges. Below is an example of the same cut-outs using 5 bridges and 10 bridges per profile.

The Tool Libraries will allow "drag and drop" of pre-defined tools into the active tool set. There will also be an option to immediately preview a tool upon creation.

Alibre CAM 2.0 will now support avoidance regions to specify where the tool should not cut, for example to avoid clamps holding the stock material down on your CNC machine. Flat faces can be directly selected as machining / avoidance regions instead of having to use sketches. You can also select the starting point for the engagement of the tool for Machining Operations defined by sketches.

Alibre CAM Standard will offer along-path-3D-entry for 3 axis horizontal finishing offers more control over surface finish for steep areas of parts. Specifying the engage angle and path height allows you to control the smoothness of the engage motion, helping to eliminate unwanted marks on the cut part that would otherwise need to be buffed out later. Alibre CAM Professional will also enjoy improvements to 4 axis milling.

Alibre CAM Expert will add a new 3D Offset profiling method, 3D Offset pocketing for making constant offset tool paths on the part surfaces, 3 axis pencil tracing now offers multiple passes & 3 axis valley re-machining allows split cuts, step over and cut control. Tool Holder Collision determines the minimum tool length required to avoid collision.

Alibre Design is sold in Australia by CADDIT. Download Alibre Design / Alibre CAM in Australia for a free 30 day "Professional" trial before software reverts back to free "Xpress" mode.

CAD Training Course 28 January 2010 Near Sydney

2010-01-07T01:46:00.008+11:00

A special one-day progeCAD CAD training course will be held Thursday, 28 January 2010 in Newcastle, NSW Australia. Special pricing for this event in Australia should especially appeal to small businesses on the Australian East Coast. All materials needed for participating in the class will be provided upon arrival. The class will be divided into four sessions on basic and advanced design. Lunch will be catered for.

progeCAD is a powerful tool for AutoCAD-compatible CAD drawing. progeCAD offers most of the same commands and DWG file format support, but at a much lower cost compared to AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT software. Recent years have also seen many customer-driven improvements in speed and flexibility. In 2009 progeCAD added in-place text editing, paper space sheet size display and 3D Google Earth model export. New buyers are now also enjoy a free upgrade to the 2010 version upon release. A 30 day trial version can be downloaded from CADDIT.

Newcastle Computer Training is centrally located on Wood Street, Newcastle NSW not far from major highways and public transportation. A wide choice of accommodation is also available. All software, hardware and needed training materials will be provided on site.

Specific questions about next class content material are being answered by CADDIT on (02) 8777 5588. Registration for progeCAD Training 2010 can be completed by phoning or by registering online at HERE at CADDIT.

Four Myths about PTC Pro/ENGINEER 3D CAD

2010-01-04T03:00:00.004+11:00

1. Pro/ENGINEER seems harder to use
All CAD software has some learning curve, and requires some training to use correctly. The more functionality software offers, the more that there is to learn about it (claims to the contrary usually have less to to with engineering design and more to do with clever marketing). Jeffrey Rowe, Editor at MCADCafe writes regarding the latest Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire release:

"Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0, is a refreshing continuation of 4.0 Instead of again just piling on an additional zillion new features and capabilities that relatively few designers use, PTC (like some of its competitors) chose to improve Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 in other ways that matter to most customers, namely, software stability, better consistency across modeling functions, and promotion of more efficient work flows."

Three examples of this expressed in business are PowerSki (USA), Hayter (UK), Haald Engineering (Australia) Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5 further updated its 2D detail drawing interface with a familiar "command ribbon", similar to many other Windows applications. Pro/ENGINEER also holds a tradition of delivering more control over the final design than competing systems. And, unlike many bloated CAD systems today, much of Pro/ENGINEER is still leanly coded using C language.

2. Pro/ENGINEER doesn't support surface modelling
False. Simply put, Pro/ENGINEER has supported parametric surface modelling for years, with no additional license required to create parametric surface models. PTC tightly integrates surface machining with its manufacturing software.

3. I heard Pro/ENGINEER is really expensive
"For those still in the 2D realm and looking to switch, one thing worth considering is that Pro/Engineer is often perceived as an expensive option, particularly when you consider the price erosion in the mainstream market. This is not really the case anymore and the starting costs are comparable to its competition" - Al Dean, MCADonline.

In Australia, Pro Engineer is being offered at prices lower that its mainstream market competitors, CATIA and Unigraphics NX, perhaps Autodesk. In fact, a recent study in the Australian market found the total cost of ownership for Pro/Engineer to be lower than many mid-range products including Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks.

4. Pro/ENGINEER can't collaborate
Nothing could be further from the truth. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire was designed from the start to make use of web technology. Pro/ENGINEER was the first CAD solution to be enabled for social product development. Wildfire offers file import/export including both ACIS & Parasolid, as well as Autodesk Inventor import and more. Windchill, ProductLink, ProjectLink and PTC ProductPoint PDM for Microsoft Office Sharepoint server are all examples of Pro/ENGINEER design team support.

As of 2010, CADDIT will be joining PTC a Pro/ENGINEER Reseller in Australia. For more information, we can be contacted per phone, fax, email, etc as shown HERE.

TransMagic R8 sp3 Released in Australia through CADDIT

2009-12-28T18:11:00.008+11:00

Vendor-neutral design collaboration over the network, CAD model repair and healing, cross-platform solid model translation, model analysis and measurement, batch translation, perspective rendering - these are just a few features enhanced by the latest release of TransMagic in Australia / New Zealand by CADDIT. TransMagic converts CATIA, SolidWorks, Unigraphics, JT, Pro/ENGINEER, Inventor and many other 3D formats.

TransMagic R8 sp3 enhancements include:

TransMagic is now fully supported on both Intel 64-bit and Windows 7 systems.
Drastically improved rendering performance for re-rendering geometry changes. The rendering engine now intelligently determines only what has changed and re-renders only that vs. re-rendering the entire scene after small changes.
New "Show Un-Repaired Geometry" dialog that gets launched when appropriately during the Auto-Repair Wizard
TransMagic now offers two different methods for stock size calculation "bounding box" - precise and fast.
CATIA V5 Environment now created on a per user account basis - allows any account type to establish the TM V5 Environment automatically without any user rights issue.
Siemens Unigraphics JT Facet Resolution can now be one of five settings for "normal deviation" and correspond to the following settings: Lowest accuracy (fastest) = 45 degrees, Low = 30 degrees, Normal = 15 degrees, High = 10 degrees, Highest accuracy (slowest) = 5 degrees
Added JT assembly output types: Single File Assembly Entire assembly in one file. Typical Assembly Assembly JT files + part JT files. Typical Assembly w/Directory Typical assembly JT file + directory. All Assembly Files Each assembly is a JT file including parts.
Upgraded to JT Open 5.3.
More enhancements to stability, speed, command-line interface and batch mode CAD file translations.

TransMagic native 64-Bit permanently changes the landscape for large CAD file translation by solving this common manufacturing problem. TransMagic reports that the new platform offers 10-20% better performance and a tremendous increase in CAD software file size capability. Translating multi-gigabyte files on a single computer is now a reality, with TransMagic 64-Bit.

TransMagic users with active maintenance can upgrade to SP3 free of charge. TransMagic 8 sp3 can be downloaded directly from CADDIT in Australia HERE. CADDIT can be contacted about options for TransMagic 64-bit, batch mode and command-line translation enterprise solutions HERE.

Choose One / Get One progeCAD Add-on Free from CADDIT

2009-12-16T01:17:00.006+11:00

Until 31 December 2009, new buyers any CADDIT CP-System progePLAN module will get the second one for free, provided that the user also purchases the yearly maintenance plan for both modules (@AUD$140.00 each). This offer will only be available by direct request to CADDIT, please contact us for more details. All new users will also receive a free upgrade to soon-to-be released CAD-Profi 7.

progePLAN/CAD-Profi System is a comprehensive collection of four individually licensed, specialized 2D design modules for:

Electrical and industrial circuit wiring, lighting, fire & safety, power distribution or telecommunications plans and schematics
HVAC and plumbing, water-supply-and-sewage, medical, cooling duct installation and gas distribution design
Mechanical design, parametric steel profiles, comprehensive mechanical parts library, steel pipes, industrial equipment of heat exchangers
Architecture Design for building planners to easily draw basic architectural design using walls, parametric windows, doors and more.

CAD-Profi System is a CAD software add-on which works in AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT (using LTX extender available form CADDIT), progeCAD, IntelliCAD, BricsCAD and many other systems. Users can download a free 30 day trial of CAD-Profi System HERE.

Alibre 3D CAD Software "84% Off" Sale from CADDIT Australia

2009-12-09T16:56:00.008+11:00

Alibre has granted authorization to CADDIT Australia to offer the latest version of Alibre Design version 12 with at least AUD$1200 saving (84%) for these last few weeks of 2009. Why are we posting this to our blog? 1.This is not an Alibre 11 sale. This sale applies to the newly released Alibre Design version 12, including the features discussed earlier on our blog HERE. 2.It's a near give-away. Even if a company already uses another 3D CAD/CAM system, Alibre Design easily supplements as a stand-alone sub-assembly designer, detail drawing workstation or even just a STEP or DWG viewer.

Pricing for Alibre Design from CADDIT Australia until 12AM 1 January 2010 EST:
Alibre Design Standard: 239.84+GST
Alibre Design Standard: 859.00+GST
Alibre Design Standard: 1199.00+GST

A full version of Alibre Design can be downloaded HERE. If the user registers our download version using a valid address in Australia, you can buy Alibre software online HERE at this sale price until 1 January 2010 12 AM EST.

There are also some discounts offered on Alibre maintenance and upgrades HERE.

Free progeCAD Upgrade Until 2010 Includes USB, Network and AutoCAD LT Upgrades

2009-11-05T23:43:00.008+11:00

Sydney, Australia - CADDIT has announced several very exciting developments for progeCAD (design software) users.

First, we are happy to confirm that progeCAD 2010 is now deep in development. This coming release of our favorite low-cost "AutoCAD clone" will include several important new features, such as ability to read and write the new AutoCAD 2010 DWG file format. progeCAD 2010 Professional will also offer unprescedented speed and stability, based on the new IntelliCAD 6.6 toolkit.

Second, as of Friday, 06 November 2009 AEST, all new and upgrade purchases of progeCAD 2009 Professional from CADDIT will be elligable for a free upgrade to an equivalent 2010 version license upon release. This "buy 2009 today - get 2010 tomorrow" offer applies to all new and upgrade progeCAD Professional, progeCAD USB, progeCAD Network NLM licenses purchased on or after this date. It also applies to "cross-over" upgrades from AutoCAD LT, IntelliCAD, TurboCAD, ArchiCAD, Chief Architect and several other design software programs after this date. As last year, large scale corporate users will benefit the most from this offer. Users' progeCAD 2009 license(s) will be deactivated once that user has successfuly upgraded to 2010.

A follow up announcement will be made here when progeCAD 2010 is actually released.

Third, we are in final preparation of a new release for progeCAD Smart! progeCAD Smart 2009 will be available strictly for non-business use only. proegCAD Smart! is not open-source software. Design professionals, engineers, contractors, businesses and enterprises should use progeCAD Professional in 30-day trial mode for evaluation. Company employees should not use progeCAD Smart! for this purpose. More information will be available upon announcing the product release.

progeCAD development and support has advanced considerably. CADDIT enjoys direct access to product developers, internal bug tracking and extensive manufacturer support. We encourage users to give the latest 2009 release a free try. Australia and New Zealand users may download the full version progeCAD trial HERE, or request a free progeCAD CD HERE.

Press Release: The Open Design Alliance (ODA) today announced the availability of a new enhancement request system

2009-10-26T20:11:00.006+11:00

Phoenix, AZ, October 26, 2009 – The Open Design Alliance (ODA) today announced the availability of a new enhancement request system designed to improve communication between ODA Sustaining and Founding Members and ODA development.

As a member-driven organization, the ODA has consistently delivered technology that stems directly from the focus set by members through long-term development relationships and close communication. The newly implemented enhancement request system further strengthens the role of members within the organization by enabling them to enter and vote on new requests for ODA platform components, enhancements, and features. Members will also be able to collaborate on requests with each other and with ODA development.

ODA Chief Technical Officer Neil Peterson stated, “The ODA has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. As the size of our organization and the sophistication of our platform increases, we need to adopt infrastructure tools which are better suited to handling the increased communication load. The new enhancement request system will play a key role in future growth by providing an organized framework for expressing and prioritizing new ideas and development goals. It’s a strong addition to the membership infrastructure of the ODA.”

More information about the ODA and its members is available at http://www.opendesign.com/.

AutoCAD Compatibility Improves with progeCAD 9.0.28.10 Product Release from CADDIT.net

2009-10-21T00:00:00.008+11:00

Sydney, Australia - CADDIT announced today the Australia / New Zealand international release of progeCAD Professional 2009 9.0.28. This important upgrade offers several requested performance, reliability and DWG-compatibility enhancements. Over two months in development and testing has been invested in the release of 9.0.28. This upgrade is free to all progeCAD Professional 2009 stand-alone, network, USB and office license customers.

progeCAD is CAD design software offering many features found in Autodesk AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, at much lower cost. This includes AutoCAD DWG™ / DXF™ / DWF™ 2009 editing, 3D Google Earth Export, Spell Checker, Quick Dimension, Polar Tracking, eSnap (like oSnap™), PDF import / export, ACIS 3D solid modeling, raster to vector conversion and advanced hatching using a similar interface to AutoCAD. progeCAD has become very popular in Australia as one of the most reliable alternatives to AutoCAD for small to medium business - especially in the Australian architectural design and large mining industries.

CADDIT offers IT professionals optional direct access to local installation and technical support for their design CAD software from their Liverpool-Sydney offices in New South Wales. The latest free update for current progeCAD users was over two months in development, and includes many enhancements requested locally in Australia, including:

• Improved SAVE performances
• Fixed Text Style combo
• Fixed Layout print settings recording
• TRIM options selection fixed
• Fixed CopyClip and PasteClip between progeCAD<->AutoCAD
• Fixed block insertion point set in the BLOCK dialog
• Disabled BLOCK command during REFEDIT mode
• Fixed UNDO option in TRIM and EXTEND command, used after FENCE and CROSSING option

progeCAD 2009 users who have direct internet access and the progeSOFT autoupdate feature enabled should be notified of the upgrade automatically. progeCAD users with limited or no direct internet access to their progeCAD workstation can download the new version and install it directly over their existing 2009 installation.

Previous version IntelliCAD and AutoCAD LT users are also encouraged to try the latest progeCAD 9.0.28 release free for 30 days in full-function trial mode. German progeCAD users can visit progeCAD Deutschland for information about the latest version.

International users may download progeCAD directly from CADDIT.net and many other sites.

Outsourcing Disasters Put Consumers at Risk

2009-10-13T16:53:00.013+11:00

Outsourcing manufacturing and even development to overseas companies became a fact of life with international agreements and the economic globalization which quickly followed. Foreign export subsidies abroad and lowered import tariffs at home offer a powerful case for simply sourcing what we want from somewhere else. The benefit to consumers are cheaper display prices. However, the products themselves can have hidden costs which total much higher than the display price. Here are just three costs not on the price tag:

Safety: September 2009 saw the latest chapter in a long string of expensive and time-consuming product recalls of items manufactured in China. Just the other day one of our staff found themselves face to face with this reality in their own home, having narrowly avoided possible injury when the powder metal blade retainer for their new, one-day-old imported lawn mower cracked a large chunk off after just ten minutes of operation. This safety-critical part was stamped from powder metal and probably given insufficient oven time to bake - which means there are hundreds - thousands somewhere just like it. Back at the store our colleague watched as the entire model line seemed to have a similar flaw and started immediately getting pulled from the floor. How much could that have cost someone?

Economic: Training overseas personnel has opened the door to a flood of skillful black-market copycats, counterfeiters, patent and trademark pirates who apply inside knowledge to cleverly reproduce almost any product illegally, which becomes expensive and difficult to police. Local jobs and skills are lost overseas forever. Eventually, the local economy finds itself borrowing from China to buy from China.

Human Rights: Those employed overseas in the manufacture of low cost goods for export often discover their original expectations wrong, working in appalling conditions, with no way back out. Middlemen, business brokers and investors receive the entire net profit from the supply-demand relationship.

The real differential in the final consumer's decision is actually not cost, but timing. When presented a choice between "pay now or pay later", MBA 101 states that credit-based consumerism such as what is encouraged in the USA will pick "pay later" - even if it means paying more. Darwinism 101 responds that if cutting out fierce business competition could therefore be timed early, it technically justifies almost any other consequence in quality, ethics or community interest. Darwin knows that consumers will still have opportunity to pay their fare share of it all, just a bit "later".

Uncontrolled serial product outsourcing can be a disaster. Not surprisingly, there is growing understanding about the importance of highly selective outsourcing, supplier evaluation, certification and inspection by qualified local staff and agency, while maintaining tight product control, domestic R&D, and a healthy ratio of credible domestic suppliers and know-how at home.

Alibre V12 Released in Australia, V11 Upgrade Information

2009-10-07T16:45:00.008+11:00

Sydney, Australia - CADDIT announces that the Australia localized version for Alibre Design is available for free download HERE. Alibre V12 offers new features and enhancements over V11, particularly when working with large assemblies and in "shaded & visible edges (wireframe edge)" graphics mode. CADDIT recommends Alibre Design V12 as Alibre's strongest feature/dollar CAD value product release yet. A full list of enhancements can be read in the Alibre Design README document after installation.

It's worth noting that a few adjustments have been made in packaging. Alibre Design Expert now includes Alibre Translate (for reading CATIA, Inventor, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks, SolidEdge etc) free. Alibre Design expert also includes Alibre CAM 3 axis CNC milling, Alibre Vault PDM, Machinist Toolbox and Alibre Motion for mechanical simulation.

Both Alibre Design Expert and Professional versions include a single license for Algor DesignCheck single part linear FEA, direct editing, extended part libraries and Hypershot Web photo-realistic 3D rendering studio.

Current users of Alibre Design 11, as well as those who recently took advantage of the recent Alibre Standard promotion sale, may upgrade their account to version 12 by clicking HERE, logging in and following the instructions to download the new Alibre 12 trial version. NOTE: Alibre 11 users in Australia will need paid and active Alibre Maintenance to upgrade to version 12. Alibre 11 users may still buy into maintenance by clicking HERE.

The full procedure for Alibre 11 upgrade to version 12 is also available in this PDF document. Comments about this new release of Alibre Design can be posted to our new Alibre Forum.

Chief Architect Software Shafts Resellers as "Thank You"

2009-10-05T01:14:00.022+11:00

I have been working in CAD support for over a decade. But it's not often that I read a CAD homepage like these quotes, as of 04.10.2009, from what was once Chief Architect in Australia (original misspelling included):

"Chief Architect Inc's USA short sighted management has made the decision that in an effort to support all Chief Architect users 'more efficiently' (?) they will totally eliminate the middle men.. i.e. their remaining commercial Chief Architect dealers acoss the world, before the end of the year.. and have started the ball rolling by terminating the contracts of Gordon McDermott and his dedicated team at BayCAD in New Zealand.. and of course ourselves here at Chief Australia.

May we however suggest that you read between the lines, and instead of the words 'more efficently' substitute.. 'now we'll be able to have ALL of the income from sales and support internationally.. not just the major portion of it'.

From a personal point of view.. we have spent thirteen years building up this business, and dedicated it almost exclusively to the sale and support of Chief Architect software. It has now just been totally destroyed by Chief Architect Inc with only 60 days notice.. notice initally delivered by email no less! So now we're all unemployed!...

Interestingly, there has been no contact with us at all from Greg Wells, the President of Chief Architect.. not a quick phone call offering a word of thanks, no golden handshake (God forbid).. or even so much a letter of appreciation for our years of hard work in establishing and building Chief Architect's user base here in Australia.. just a single sentence in an email that they sent out to our customers.

So on behalf of our loyal Australian users we'd just like to say..

Thanks for nothing Chief Architect!"

WOW.

I wasn't actually surprised by the story, had already heard it from another former reseller. And although this kind of disloyalty disgusts me, it doesn't necessarily surprise me either. I find the apparent ingratitude from Chief Architect USA somewhat bold. But I would be surprised if a seasoned mid range CAD developer would really be so out of touch and so naive to believe that many will continue paying an Aussie-four-grand for an engineering package that doesn't offer local support. I guess time will tell what they really have in mind...

Mathcad Download from CADDIT, Joins PTC

2009-09-10T22:38:00.009+10:00

Sydney, 10 September 2009 - Parametric Technology Corporation (Nasdaq: PMTC) Asia Pacific Channel has formally enlisted CADDIT for service and support of their engineering software portfolio. This takes place as new staff join the CADDIT central office in Liverpool, Australia. PTC Mathcad can now also be downloaded directly from CADDIT in Australia, with a bonus pack of seven industry add-on modules.

Mathcad offers a unique "What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG)" calculation whiteboard for visually solving complex engineering, scientific, medical and mathematical problems in algebra, trigonometry or calculus. Resulting 2D and 3D graphs may be arranged as the user needs along with original formulas, text, notations and graphics. Mathcad is better suited than average software such as Excel for documenting important technical or mathematical concepts. Mathcad is used by a large number of Fortune 1000 companies including Boeing, General Electric, IBM and Kellogg.

CADDIT.net offers an easy-to-use website for quickly comparing and buying CAD design and engineering software in Australia. Special pricing for Mathcad student/academic version as well as business and enterprise license discounts are now offered directly on CADDIT as well. “We are very fortunate to have recently acquired new staff who truly understand this software, and we will shortly be hosting a series of live webinars demonstrating how Mathcad can be a very inexpensive way for industry to solve common problems” states the company director regarding their new support of this powerful scientific and visualization software tool.

Selected preview sections for the upcoming scientific webinar series can be seen on the CADDIT forum.

CADDIT is currently offering Mathcad with a bonus pack of seven add-on modules: the full electrical, civil and mechanical engineering libraries, Wavelets and data analysis extension packs together with the Mathcad image and signal processing extensions. A 25% discount on single pc nodelock commercial licenses is available from the CADDIT.net website (for Australia only).

Download Mathcad for a free full-function demo from CADDIT.net in Australia HERE (Australia only).

progeCAD-Deutschland releases first free progeCAD Tutorial Software

2009-09-06T20:35:00.007+10:00

This announcement is in English and German (German version below).
Weimar-Germany, September, 6th 2009 – progeCAD-Deutschland has launched the release of free tutorials for progeCAD Professional in German language. The tutorials are supposed to assist CAD beginners as well as advanced users in working with progeCAD effectively. The tutorials come in the form of an E-Book.

The first part is entitled "progeCAD-Tutorial 1". It addresses the absolute CAD-Beginner and is intended to make the start with progeCAD Pro as easy as possible. In 9 brief chapters basic file and drawing functions are explained. The examples contain also command sequences, which can be tested out immediately in the progeCAD command line. For better understanding many screen shots were added.

"progeCAD-Tutorial 1" can be found unter this web location: http://www.progecad-deutschland.com/training/progecad-pro-tutorials . This is also the location where additional progeCAD tutorials can be found in the future.

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Weimar-Deutschland, 6.September 2009 – progeCAD-Deutschland hat mit der Veröffentlichung von kostenlosen, deutschsprachigen Tutorials für das Programm progeCAD Professional begonnen. Die Tutorials sollen CAD-Anfängern als auch fortgeschrittenen Benutzern dabei helfen, progeCAD Professional effektiv zu nutzen. Die Tutorials haben die Form eines E-Books.

Der erste Teil trägt den Titel "progeCAD-Tutorial 1". Er richtet sich an den absoluten CAD-Anfänger und soll den Start mit progeCAD Pro so einfach wie möglich machen. In 9 kurzen Kapiteln werden grundlegende Datei- und Zeichenfunktionen erklärt. Die Beispiele enthalten auch “Befehlsfolgen”, die sofort mit der Befehlszeile in progeCAD Pro ausgetest werden können. Zum besseren Verständnis wurden auch viele Screenshots eingefügt.

"progeCAD-Tutorial 1" ist unter dieser Url zu finden: http://www.progecad-deutschland.com/training/progecad-pro-tutorials . Hier werden auch später die weiteren progeCAD Tutorials zu finden sein.

Preview of Alibre Design 12 Release, New Features

2009-08-27T13:42:00.016+10:00

Only days remain before the public release of Alibre Design 12 as of time of this article. Alibre 12 definitely continues the standing tradition of delivering powerful, easy-to-use features at low cost. Here is a list of some of them, grouped by their work space:

New commands and tools in Alibre Design:

Alibre Design will offer a 3D-text feature tool allowing text to be added as a parametric part feature. Individual features will support colour change for better identification, and the user will also be permitted to set the default 3D new part colour. Edit commands will include multiple clipboard paste in "rubber stamp" mode. Toolbars will be more customizable, and additional box select modes will speed up editing. Editable 3D section veiws, colour schemes and light sources are also supported now.

The Alibre Sketcher will display missing constraints as degree of freedom callouts (with configurable colourisation). It will also offer optional real-time dimensioning and placement while geometry is drawn, rather than requiring this be completed as an additional design step. This option saves users considerable time in constraint specification. Alibre Sketch will also offer quick bi-directional conversion between model sketch figures and reference geometry. Constraint and snap options for drawing have been added, as well as a new axis mirror option. 2D drawing space will support a new freeform table creation for relevant model data fields.

Alibre version 12 files will offer a convenient thumbnail view from both Windows Explorer and Alibre Vault PDM, which makes file selection easier.

Assembly:
The assembly space move and rotate commands have been merged into a single dialogue for faster model placement by the user. Assembly part arrays / patterns now offer placement preview. View performance for large assemblies has been greatly improved.

Alibre Sheet Metal Design:

Contour and lofted flange support is added. Now sheet metal designs can include tapered corners or profile flange with variable radius along its length. These "lofted flanges" are nicely flattened in Alibre (along with the rest of the part) for the initial pattern stamp or cut-out.

For more information about Alibre 12 improvements, feel free to contact CADDIT in Australia HERE. There is also a downloadable PDF version of this list available HERE.

$99 Alibre Announced, Special Promotion in Australia

2009-08-12T01:32:00.006+10:00

PRESS RELEASE (Modified for Australia)
Richardson, TX (August 11, 2009) - Alibre, Inc. (http://www.alibre.com/) today announced the boldest marketing initiative in the history of 3D CAD - making professional grade 3D CAD software, including parts, assemblies, and 2D drafting, available to anyone for under $100. In Australia the promotional price will be AUD $149.00, sold through CADDIT.net.

For a limited time, anyone can get Alibre Design for $99 (regularly $999). Alibre Design is the core CAD component of Alibre's product offering, providing a complete parametric toolset for unlimited 3D part and assembly design and 2D drafting. Capable of creating complex mechanical designs with thousands of components, full assembly motion, automatic 2D drawing updates, and many other benefits, Alibre Design is similar to products such as SolidWorks, Inventor, and Pro/E. Tens of thousands of Alibre Design users in 50 countries and 15 languages use the software to design, verify, and virtually test their products.

With today's announcement consumers have the option of spending $99 for Alibre Design or a minimum of around $5000 for competitors' software. Paul Grayson, Chairman and CEO of Alibre, Inc., says, "Alibre has the unique ability to offer its professional engineering products at a fraction of the cost of the competition. But by lowering the price to $99, the offer is irrefutably the best in the history of 3D CAD. It's absolutely unheard of given the tools we're offering, without restrictions of any kind, and we expect a lot of people and businesses to take advantage. It's really that simple. We also know that our competition can't begin to come close to this, not even within a few thousand dollars."

Alibre is ideal mid range 3D CAD for Australia, offering the best of both worlds in design function, interoperability with other systems like CATIA and Pro/Engineer via Alibre Translate, and - most of all - value. Alibre Design Standard includes the basic 2D/3D design tools as well as Tutorial access, IGES & STEP import/export and Excel spreadsheet driven design. In Australia see CADDIT.net for more information, other countries can see Alibre.com for their nearest representative.

"Foreign DWG File" Scare Tactic from Autodesk?

2009-07-28T16:26:00.009+10:00

AutoCAD 2010 users might see this "Trusted DWG" message box when opening DWG file created in progeCAD:

See it? Looking scary ..almost like an anti-virus warning? But read closer: "This file was saved by an application that was not developed or licensed by Autodesk." Well, duh... We knew that already. So why the big warning? Have a wild guess, then read here.

Now our concern changes from what was "bad file warning" to "how do I stop this idiot box from opening every time I open a file from progeCAD?" The answer in AutoCAD 2010 is simple: either click the little check box at the bottom which says "Always open DWG files regardless of origin" or disable "Open - Foreign DWG file" in the System "Hidden Message Settings" - it amounts to the same thing.

progeCAD is a low-cost compliment for AutoCAD users to reliably create, edit and print AutoCAD files without the high cost of AutoCAD software. A free 30 trial of progeCAD may be downloaded HERE.

Free Fonts for CAD and Graphic Design

2009-07-24T17:32:00.009+10:00

Wikipedia defines font (also fount) as "traditionally defined as a complete character set of a single size and style of a particular typeface". Good use of fonts can help accomplish goals like making ideas stand out tastefully, making content clear and easy to read or translating information in another language. There are three major font categories: bitmap, outline and stroked. TrueType fonts (originally developed by Apple) and Postscript Type 1 (developed earlier by Adobe) are examples of bézier vector outline type fonts.

Scalable vector outline and stroked fonts usually offer the best results in modern design. During the mid 90s fonts cost about $40 for a single face, but needed to be purchased in packages. Today there are many sources where usable fonts can be downloaded for free. Here is a list of some links for these...

Showfont.net is a site written in frames offering free TrueType fonts and previews, organized alphabetically and downloaded free after verifying the captcha image. Handy for some unusual themes and logos.

http://www.betterfonts.com/ offers many of the same fonts, presented differently with no captcha check. http://www.creamundo.com/en/ is similar but also offers web pages in Spanish.
http://www.searchfreefonts.com/ has a large collection including many varieties of standard typefaces like Swiss 721 and Arial.

Specific to CAD, there are several sites for downloading AutoCAD SHX fonts:

CRCweb/RAND still hosts several free SHX fonts and hatch patterns HERE.
There are a few AutoCAD fonts on cadforum.cz HERE
FreeCADapps still hosts the 19-font pack acadfont.zip HERE
CBEN.net has a small selection of free CAD fonts.

These are just a few of the resources available, we are sure there is more. Feel free to add you favorite site to the list in the comments below.

Does Google Abuse Position to Promote Their "CAD" Software?

2009-07-16T16:33:00.007+10:00

I am not sure how many follow the PageRank™ system that Google uses for 'assigning a numerical weight (of importance) to a web page'. For some time now Google has been assigning Sketchup.com a higher PageRank(PR 8) than Autodesk.com(PR 7). Could Sketchup.com possibly be a more important resource on the web than Autodesk.com?

According to most web traffic indexes, Sketchup.com doesn't receive a small fraction of the traffic which autodesk.com gets. Autodesk.com is also a much older site than sketchup.com. By Google's own index, Autodesk product names are searched several times more than "Sketchup" as a key word. Most of those searches are strictly related to Google free version of Sketchup. Sales of Professional version of Sketchup don't actually surpass Autodesk - not by a long shot. But Google does happen to own Sketchup.

Here's the problem. I think Google doesn't actually know much (or care) about CAD software, much less the needs of engineers and architects who use it. Some people (like myself) wouldn't even consider the free version of Sketchup to actually be a true CAD program. Yet Google PageRank seems to assume the position that this brand is arbitrarily more important, somehow more significant, more useful than any other CAD resource on the web. This artificial manipulation of "significance" influences the results people see when they search for terms like "CAD".

Is this what happens when a large company in control of a large infrastructure uses that position to cross-promote unrelated products from other sectors? Google could just as easily buy an accounting package tomorrow, brand it as Google something and suddenly their site has PR 8. Just like that.

It's probably true that Sketchup is a significant product, as many use the free version for creating buildings and other features in Google Earth. Other CAD programs, including AutoCAD and progeCAD can do this as well BTW. But would anyone besides Google consider the site (and by natural connection, the product) more significant than ALL other CAD software sites?

Joy of progeCAD 2009 under Wine in Debian Linux

2009-06-22T22:59:00.012+10:00

At CADDIT we are always trying new things, sometimes just for the sheer fascination. This article outlines some updated steps to running progeCAD without buying a Windows license (although some free libraries will be needed). Understand that progeCAD is at this time not officially supported on Linux, either using Parallels or WINE emulation layer. So don't try this at home unless you are really brave and have lots of time to waste (not to mention progeCAD licenses).

We were able to accomplish several things following these steps: install progeCAD, activate progeCAD (online method), load a file, etc. Our test involved using a stand-alone license key (although NLM client might also work). progeCAD runs stable but slow (depending on your core(s) speed and OpenGL acceleration). Here we go:

1) Update to the latest WineHQ (1.1.x). Debian users can add the following line to /etc/apt/sources.list:
deb http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt etch main
2) apt-get install libwine wine wine-dev
okay you really don't need wine-dev development packages, but like isn't that the whole point of Linux .. whatever .. okay next step...
3) Install IE6. No joke. A platform like progeCAD often connects to a lot of the same dependencies as the world's most favorite web browser ..okay ..whatever.. we use ies4linux for this. Please visit the site for download directions specific to your favorite distro and get lovely IE6 and friends rocking in your local .wine profile.
4) Install VBA. This is possible now because ies4linux already set up DCOM libs for us. Winetricks is probably the best trick for this:
wget http://www.kegel.com/wine/winetricks
and run the ./winetricks GUI and pick what you want, but at least pick the VBA6 runtime. Winetricks should do the rest for you.
5) Install progeCAD. You can download progeCAD HERE.
6) progeCAD install seems to go well right up to the VBA installation at the end it flops (so far - we are working on it). But no matter, you can always reinstall Windows VBA for progeCAD IntelliCAD by sorting into your local subdirectory:
~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/progeSOFT/progeCAD\ 2009\ Pro\ ENG/vba/
and installing VBA manually:
msiexec /i VBAOF11.MSI

WINE actually sets up a KDE icon on the desktop for you to launch progeCAD, we didn't try GNOME or XFCE. Otherwise you may have to create an action leading to the icad.exe executable in your .wine profile. So progeCAD should work now as so...

Some comments, progeCAD is a lot less demanding on system resources than AutoCAD, so it was actually possible for us to still work with progeCAD under this emulated environment. Real time pan and zoom function using the mouse buttons worked too but was so slow on the machine with on board graphics it could hardly be called real time anymore. The command interpreter disappeared once while minimizing / maximizing the progeCAD Window in KDE, but moving the window a bit around somehow brought it back again. Go figure..

$5000 Reward! Report Crack or Pirate Software in Australia

2009-06-09T13:58:00.030+10:00

Mick (name changed) is $10,000 richer. Several months ago he alerted the Australian Business Software Alliance to a local business which was running several illegal copies of AutoCAD on workstations without proper licenses or support. Management ignored the problem until they were officially served notice by the software authority. And in 2006 the BSA doubled their bounty on illegal users from $5000 to $10,0000.

This story could be just one of many. Pirate software costs the Australian economy half a billion dollars every year. Up to half (50 percent) of all CAD software in Australia could be illegal. Still, many users feel somehow clever, cool - even cocky - about finding illegal versions of software to use without registration or proper support.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Business owners and users alike have recently become more alert to problems caused by crack software for another reason. Much pirate software used today is actually bait for opening business data and infrastructure to organized cybercrime - much of it going undetected until it's too late. Here's how:

Today's warez industry is a complex business where organized crime plays at stakes much higher than making a few dollars on illegal software sales. Hackers begin with the latest off-the-shelf virus. "For as little as US$250, you can buy off-the-shelf malware, not detectable by major AV vendors and, for an extra US$25 a month, you can subscribe to updates that will ensure your malware remains undetectable," according to Kerrie-Anne Turner in Australia's Voice and Data eZine.

These stock viruses and trojans are embedded within crack software downloads. Once installed, the system is often irreversably compromised - even unbootable. More often, however, the infected PC becomes part of a botnet - a network of computers remotely controlled by someone else. As a botnet peer, a host PC can be asked to perform almost any task - from uploading confidential files to granting network access to outsiders and participating in illegal (and sometimes traceable) activities.

Since most complex CAD software requires local administrator rights to be installed, it is ideal for cloaking botnet clients which can run with unlimited system access. Botnets have developed into one of the internet's largest illegal sources of income. Botnets are commonly used to host illegal web content such as child pornography, to send out spam or to launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. And all of this often without the computer's owner noticing anything really amiss.

In 2005 a botnet was foiled which turned out to be 15 times larger than police initially thought. A full investigation revealed 1.5 million infected PCs worldwide to be part of their illegal network. Many of the infected PCs were running up-to-date antivirus software. To date, hackers continue to rival each other in building larger and larger botnets.

Businesses who outsource to companies using cracked software also risk compromising sensitive IP and customer data. "What sounds too good to be true usually is" - especially when someone seems just too eager to share a copy of AutoCAD for $20 (or even free). In final analysis, the twenty-first century is a far more dangerous place for product design and manufacturing companies to be risking their reputation to run illegal or unsupported platforms.

progeCAD German Version Offers AutoCAD Compatibility in German

2009-05-26T00:20:00.000+10:00

This announcement is in English and German languages. See German version below.

Como Italy, 26 May 2009 – progeSOFT in partnership with CADDIT and N.W.S. Germany announced the German translation release of progeCAD 2009 Professional CAD design software. Designers, engineers and architects accustomed to AutoCAD, Auto CAD LT or IntelliCAD can compare the cost-for-feature value free for 30 days. Unlike most AutoCAD compatible CAD software, progeCAD 2009 far exceeds simple DWG file compatibility with special features like Google Earth export, PDF conversion, Quick-Dimensioning (“QDIM”) and even an updated spell checker. Now German users enjoy the convenience of using progeCAD design commands in native German language. The progeCAD German version can be downloaded HERE.

progeCAD German CAD software translation was supervised by progeSOFT, located near beautiful Lake Como in Italy. progeCAD in German is available from numerous authorized progeCAD distributors around the world including progeSOFT ( http://www.progesoft.com/ , http://www.progecad-deutschland.com/ and CADDIT ( http://www.caddit.net/progecad/progecad-deutsch.php ). A german language support forum for progeCAD is also available: http://www.caddit.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

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Como-Italien, 26.Mai 2009 – progeSOFT in Zusammenarbeit mit CADDIT und N.W.S Deutschland gibt hiermit die Freigabe der deutschen Übersetzung von progeCAD 2009 Professional bekannt. Designer, Konstrukteure und Architekten, die mit AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT oder IntelliCAD vertraut sind, haben die Möglichkeit den Nutzwert der Software für 30 Tage kostenlos zu testen. Im Gegensatz zur meisten AutoCAD ähnlichen CAD-Software übertrifft progeCAD 2009 einfache DWG-Dateiformat Kompatibilität mit speziellen Funktionen wie Google Earth Export, PDF Konvertierung, Quick-Dimensioning(„QDIM“) und eine verbesserte Rechtschreibprüfung bei weitem. Deutsche Benutzer haben jetzt auch den Komfort progeCAD Designbefehle in Ihrer deutschen Muttersprache zu verwenden. Benutzter können jetzt die deutsche Version direkt herunterladen - HIER.

Die Software Übersetzung von progeCAD wurde von progeSOFT, mit Firmensitz am idyllischen Comer See in Italien, betreut. progeCAD Deutsch ist weltweit erhältlich bei zahlreichen progeCAD Vertriebspartnern, einschließlich progeSOFT ( http://www.progesoft.com/ , http://www.progecad-deutschland.com/ und CADDIT ( http://www.caddit.net/progecad/progecad-deutsch.php ). Zur Verfügung steht auch ein deutschsprachiges progeCAD Forum unter http://www.caddit.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

How to Make 3D Alibre Designs from Imported DXF Files

2009-05-12T23:25:00.000+10:00

Alibre Design CAD software can import a number of other file formats, including AutoCAD DWG and DXF format 2D drawing files. Alibre is also ACIS based and can import AutoCAD 3D ACIS kernel .SAT files directly. A common question however is how DXF or DWG drawing can be imported into Alibre, constraints applied and used as a base profile for a parametric 3D model directly in Alibre. The question is valid because Alibre imports 2D geometry from DXF and DWG files as 2D drawings, as we will see. To start we will create some (hopefully) simple demonstration geometry in progeCAD as below:

progeCAD can be a good compliment for Alibre, in part for it's very low cost and in part for it's strong support of AutoCAD semantics like pline-polyline entity creation and DXF export. From progeCAD we export this simple profile as a DXF file and import into Alibre from the Alibre toolbar:

However, as every Alibre user well knows, the result of DXF import opens our AutoCAD polyline DXF file as a new 2D drawing - not as a sketch:

The key here is to "Activate 2D Sketch" as shown above. However, our polyline still doesn't seem very flexible. This is because Alibre imports them as symbols which need "exploded" by selecting the shape(s), right clicking on them and selecting "Explode Symbol" as shown here:

Then it is just a matter of "edit-copy" from the drawing window and "paste" into an active model sketch window, where constraints can be applied as desired. Note the nodes now visible at the corners of our former polyline now that we have "exploded" it:

Here is a final result after constraint and boss extrusion in Alibre Design:

CADDIT has recently added free Alibre support to their CAD forum. Feel free to post your comments or just say hi and introduce yourself and your project.

HyperShot Replaces Alibre PhotoRender; Offers Realtime Raytrace Rendering

2009-05-08T22:09:00.001+10:00

On February 18, Alibre Announced their new strategic partnership with Bunkspeed Inc., makers of Hypershot 3D rendering software. Alibre is now replacing PhotoRender and will begin shipping Alibre Design Professional and Alibre Design Expert with HyperShot Web instead.

Main software features of Bunkspeed HyperShot include:

State of the art photorealistic 3D model rendering
Easy to use 4-step procedure interface
Drag and drop physics-based materials library for texture mapping
Capabilities like ambient occlusion, refraction & caustics
Variety of camera environments, lighting and backgrounds
Import .obj, IGES, SolidWorks, Rhino, STEP and Pro/E 3D models
Real-time WYSIWYG raytrace rendering - one of a kind!
..and more

Cadalyst says HyperShot's "Real-time rendering technology blows its competition out of the water." Desktop Engineering says "HyperShot IS industrial design".

In May Alibre is introducing HyperShot with a 40% off discount for Alibre Design Professional and Alibre Design Expert which now includes this new rendering system. Australia CAD designers can download Alibre HERE.

Free Second Grabowski eBook "tailoring progeCAD" Available

2009-05-02T10:06:00.000+10:00

progeSOFT and partners have released the second bonus for progeCAD users form AutoCAD book author Ralph Gabrowski entitled "tailoring progeCAD". "tailoring progeCAD" is a more in-depth examination of the powerful interfaces progeCAD offers developers and CAD specialists for customization. progeCAD is a low cost compliment to AutoCAD for editing Autodesk DWG files and using a similar interface, but just costing 10% of full version AutoCAD RRP. This free eBook can be downloaded HERE ( $50 value).

"tailoring progeCAD" is the second Grabowski eBook written in partnership with progeSOFT and progeSOFT US. This free CAD eBook is 200 pages and pre-formatted for USA binder printing on A-size paper. Topics covered include customizing the progeCAD user interface, changing progeCAD settings for text, fonts and colors, setting keystroke aliases, writing menus, macros and scripts, DCL, DIESEL and AutoLISP programming and more.

"tailoring progeCAD" is a follow-up for advanced users to the previously announced "inside progeCAD" which together become a powerful tool in unlocking the full potential of progeCAD.

Publication of "tailoring progeCAD" was funded by progeSOFT as an educational project and may be freely re-distributed among organizations and on the Internet as long as content and copyright remain unchanged.

Free Upgrade to T-FLEX Version 12 Offer

2009-04-29T22:45:00.000+10:00

CADDIT announced new buyers of T-FLEX CAD (version 11 starting with May 2009) will get their USB license dongles upgraded to use version 12 free of charge upon release. T-FLEX 12 is scheduled to be released later this year, with many new features. At that time users will be offered the option to upgrade free or keep their version 11 installed as-is.

T-FLEX is winning attention of mechanical CAD designers as flexible MCAD with features that rival much more expensive systems. It will import SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Parasolid and many other formats directly, so chances are users can work in T-FLEX with many currently existing designs. Unlike many solid-only CAD systems, T-FLEX commands work equally with sheet surface or solid entities. Integrated BOM, sheet metal, welding, FEA and motion simulation offer designers all the tools needed for complex mechanical assembly.

T-FLEX's intuitive context-sensitive right mouse-click menu and adaptive feature based construction cuts design time while database and spreadsheet connectivity allow 3D models to be driven from business data. Custom part windows allow designers to quickly reuse existing 3D model templates with unlimited variation. Designers have the choice of either parametric or direct editing methodology. T-FLEX is enabling many SMBs with powerful 3D mechanical CAD at 25% or less of equivalent platforms.

Users can download a full version T-FLEX trial HERE. For those with download difficulty, free evaluation DVDs are available from CADDIT to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other locations. These can be requested HERE. Once installed, users will need to send CADDIT their User Code for a trial password to begin their 30 day experience using T-FLEX. T-FLEX pricing and ordering direct from CADDIT is available online HERE.

Free Ralph Grabowski eBook "inside progeCAD"

2009-04-20T17:52:00.000+10:00

This year's progeCAD user bonus arrives early with the release of "inside progeCAD", a free PDF eBook for all progeCAD users. This eBook is written by Ralph Grabowski, well known author of books like "THE ILLUSTRATED AUTOCAD 2008 QUICK REFERENCE". progeCAD is a low cost substitute for AutoCAD for editing Autodesk DWG files and using a similar interface, but just costing 10% of full version AutoCAD RRP. The free eBook can be downloaded HERE completely free ($50 value).

Editing and approval for the publication of "inside progeCAD" was a team effort between Mr. Grabowski, his team, progeSOFT North America and progeSOFT Italy. This free CAD eBook is 200 pages and pre-formatted for USA binder printing on A-size paper. This eBook makes a good follow-up to the mechanical drafting to CAD migration eBook published by CADDIT last year. Topics covered in this eBook includes A Guided Tour for beginners and newbies, extensive lessons on User Input and the progeCAD Interface, sample projects and advanced tips. There is also a full section entitled "progeCAD for AutoCAD Users" which notes many of the differences between the interface of these two CAD systems.

Publication of "inside progeCAD" was funded by progeSOFT as an educational project and may be freely re-distributed among organizations and on the Internet as long as content and copyright remain unchanged.

Free AutoCAD a Hoax

2009-04-10T03:05:00.000+10:00

Autodesk recently published an article reading, in part, "In order to get ahead in the workplace, you need to invest in yourself by increasing your knowledge and expanding your skills.. The program offers... Free Software License*"

The timing for this announcement was probably no accident. Autodesk's paying yearly upgrade buyers (unsubscribed) got a big shock just two weeks earlier when Autodesk unveiled plans to triple their upgrade prices. So this quick fix to bury any bad karma was probably planned weeks in advance.

But is the "Free Software License" really free? Actually the license only lasts for thirteen months. Applicants must be able to prove that they are an unemployed design professional, and give reference to their last place and time of employment. Appearantly it is also watermarked "Educational", so it can't legally be used for any kind of commercial work. In other words, this isn't what you were thinking it was. Autodesk is really just expanding their educational program to include recently unemployed users of their software.

Far from "caring about the little guy", Autodesk continues to relentlessly charge high prices to their paying customers, accost people trying to sell AutoCAD on eBay, drag small businesses to court who try to enable high-end functionality in the lower price Autodesk products like AutoCAD LT and kill open interoperability of their file formats.

Sorry, no free AutoCAD.

Review Alibre Translate 3D for CATIA Pro/E SolidWorks..

2009-04-06T12:31:00.000+10:00

March 2009 saw a lot happen with our Alibre 3D CAD software line. It was interesting to watch a little stampede develop during the last couple days of March because of a sale we had going! But that same month we were given Alibre Design 11.2 with several enhancements. Significantly, these included the release of AlibreTranslate, a new product Alibre launched tucked into Alibre Premium version for free in March. There are some cool features offered by the new AlibreTranslate.

AlibreTranslate imports the following 3D CAD formats directly:

Dassault SolidWorks .sldprd 3D model files and .sldprt assembly files
Dassault CATIA V5 .CATPart model files and .CATProduct assemblies
EDS/UGS/Siemens Solid Edge 3D .par parts and .asm assemblies
Autodesk Inventor .ipt parts and .iam 3D assemblies
PTC Pro Engineer & Wildfire .prt models and .asm assemblies, also .xpr & .xas
Parasolid: v18 (*.x_t, *.x_b, *.xmt_txt, *.xmt_bin)

AlibreTranslate also offers a range of automated model check, stitching and healing functions with the software. This assures closed manifold 3D objects which can be edited directly in Alibre as solid models. Units conversion between English Imperial and Metric are also included. Alibre 3D CAD already supports Rhino 3DM, AP 214 STEP, ISO IGES, Spatial (Dassault) ACIS SAT for translation to progeCAD, AutoCAD, TurboCAD as well as native AutoCAD DWG file support. Enabled with the optional AlibreTranslate license, a CAD designer can import almost any mainstream CAD model and edit it.

AlibreTranslate also exports to write directly to:

SolidWorks 3D model file .sldprt format
Parasolid: v18 (*.x_t, *.x_b, *.xmt_txt, *.xmt_bin)

AlibreTranslate uses a fast intermediate STEP conversion to import the final solid volumes from the various 3D CAD formats, and the included adjustable healing algorithms help assure design integrity - as shown in this perfectly imported and beautifully rendered Pro Engineer model assembly below:

Readers may download Alibre Design software (which includes AlibreTranslate) directly from CADDIT and run for 30 days in full version mode before choosing either to buy or continuing on with a free Xpress license. Support for Alibre in Australia is offered on our new Alibre forum page.

VariCAD 2009 CAD for Linux and Windows Includes Parametrics

2009-03-30T22:51:00.000+11:00

VariCAD and CADDIT released the first edition of their 2009 Parametric 3D Industrial Design CAD Software for Windows and Linux. VariCAD is practical CAD for mechanical design, structural steel, industrial layout, fit-out concept, sheet metal assembly, machine equipment and jig or check fixture model and detailing. VariCAD 2009 includes several important enhancements, including:

support for parameters
support for geometric constraints
enhanced possibilities for insertion and transformation of solids
new possibilities for editing shells
improved work with true type fonts in 2D
improved STEP file compatibility
improved DWG file compatibility and more

VariCAD 2009 does not use a full length feature tree as many CAD users may be accustomed. Rather, VariCAD 2009 introduces a unique "parameter table" approach to listing the values associated with model geometry. Users can choose to create specific design parameters for each feature or not. Model features without table parameters can still be modified directly in most cases using direct feature dimensioning.

The documentation includes several new Adobe flash video demonstration tutorials for learning the VariCAD Parametric system. Linux 3D CAD users should especially appreciate these new features on a native VariCAD Linux system. Debian/Ubuntu .deb and RH .rpm distributions will be available for download. For Microsoft Windows VariCAD can be downloaded free for 30 days HERE.

CAD Designers: Are Your Jobs Still Going Overseas?

2009-03-25T01:40:00.000+11:00

Businesses in Beijing and Bangalore believe they have discovered a gold mine. But the same experience for many of their foreign investors has exposed land mines in return. Aside from the obvious local employment concerns, companies often discover outsourcing to be far more expensive than originally estimated. Businesses which were first enticed with seemingly low hourly wages find themselves committed to paying more than they ever bargained for.

As one example United Technologies, an acknowledged leader in developing offshore best practices, was saving just over 20 percent by outsourcing to India in 2003 (and wages are higher there now). That's still substantial savings, to be sure. But it takes years of effort and a huge up-front investment. For many companies, it simply may not be worth it. "Someone working for $10,000 a year in Hyderabad can end up costing an American company four to eight times that amount," says Hank Zupnick, CIO of GE Real Estate.

Google metrics for outsourcing searches have dropped 50% since then. According to the Black Book of Outsourcing, western firms such as CENIT, IBM Global and Infosdys still sell as many PLM outsourcing services to the world as do Indian firms Larsen & Toubro, Siri Technologies and Satyam. This is bad news for a country carrying perhaps the world's largest surplus in manpower. Such regions, through poor management and cultural barriers, are often too slow with creating domestic markets of their own. China faces similar problems.

A backlash trend to outsource to Europe or the USA is actually emerging now. Many investors, once burned, are looking for better long-term partnerships with contractors and suppliers. This is good news for engineering and design companies in the more developed nations. Stay alert. Opportunities exist for skilled designers in developed countries to demonstrate their value added. Suggestions for remaining competitive: keep resources, skills and training certifications updated, invest in innovation and R&D.

If you have a recent experience about your company's design work being outsourced (or not) feel free to post it HERE.

Who is the Best BIMmer?

2009-03-23T19:50:00.000+11:00

For those not familiar with the expression, BIM stands for Building Information Modeling. BIM is common tech speak for using information-based building semantics in CAD design workflows. The exact definition is actually still evolving. BIM products include the likes of Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft and Bentley. Two things generally characterize BIM software: increased program complexity and higher software costs. Some liken BIM in the architectural industry to PLM for product manufacturing.

We would argue one important difference: PLM was a customer driven concept to meet large scale manufacturing needs. However, "few have pursued full 3D (building design) modeling with great vigor, and even fewer have embraced BIM and information extraction, even though the AEC software industry has spent much time and capital creating and promoting BIM software," states Goldberg, H. Edward in CADalyst magazine. So a large portion of the need for BIM software may be originating from the software companies themselves.

One thing almost everyone agrees on is that there is a right way to BIM and a wrong way to BIM. But that's about where agreement ends. How to BIM depends largely on which marketing team one chooses to listen to. Autodesk, Bentley, Nemetschek and others are all staking claims "to BIM the Best" in what appears to be the CAD industry's latest gold rush to establish a title standard.

The question arises if this will actually be a standard that most businesses need. Full scale BIM deployments can be very expensive. They may requiring extensive retraining and, in some scenarios, a complete refit for design and business workflows. Interestingly, none of Autodesk's ROI charts seem to take this last aspect into account. And even if large companies succeed in (at least partially) implementing BIM, will the solution scale downward for small business and supplier integrations?

Previously on our CAD Blog we introduced our low-cost BIM alternative CP-System, which can be dubbed our "Anti-BIM" proposal. CP-System offers AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT (using LTX), progeCAD, BricsCAD, ZwCAD, CADopia and other IntelliCAD brands quick but accurate HVAC, electrical, plumbing, architectural, mechanical, structural, hydraulic design with extensive parametric symbol libraries. More information about CP-System and a free 30-day trial is available HERE.

AutoCAD LT versus progeCAD 2009 CAD Software

2009-03-10T13:49:00.000+11:00

AutoCAD LT (AutoCAD "lite" version) is still used by many companies who require compatible AutoCAD DWG design software, but have no desire to pay several thousand dollars for a single license of the worlds most expensive mainly-2D design platform. progeCAD is design software not sold by Autodesk but distributed through other companies like CADDIT. progeCAD offers native DWG editing and most commands found in the full version of AutoCAD, including their own AutoLISP interpreter, VBA and C++ (SDS/ADS) frameworks. How do these two products compare regarding features and cost?

Feature comparison: progeCAD actually offers many features missing in AutoCAD LT. Most of these are features which Autodesk deliberately removed from AutoCAD LT to redirect users back to buying AutoCAD. These features include full ACIS 3D modelling and rendering, user profile support and the aforementioned LISP, VBA and C++ interfaces. However, AutoCAD C++ add-ons will need to be edited and re-compiled by the supplier before they will run in progeCAD. progeCAD also supports AutoLISP protected by AutoLISP encryption security. progeCAD also offers extra features like Google Earth KML, SVG and PDF file export.

Performance comparison: AutoCAD LT can run a bit faster than progeCAD, although that differs form drawing to drawing, depending on elements, layout, size and complexity. progeCAD, however, can have a somewhat smaller resource footprint on RAM and disk space requirements. As of progeCAD 2009, both programs offer paper size visualization in layout mode, right-mouse button context menus, a spelling checker and quick dimensioning.

Cost comparison: This depends on local markets, exchange rates and promotions, but generally speaking AutoCAD LT costs three to four times more than does the Professional edition of progeCAD.

Both systems offer a download version for users to try for themselves. progeCAD can be downloaded HERE, from CADDIT directly, or from many other sites. AutoCAD LT is available from the Autodesk website.

Can TransMagic Really Help Solve 3D CAD Translation Problems?

2009-02-26T14:43:00.001+11:00

Recent economics have spawned an increasing need for business to adapt in new markets. And new markets often require companies to read new 3D CAD file formats - but "total cost of ownership" for maintaining additional CAD environments can be costly and time consuming. TransMagic is central, easy-to-use 3D collaboration software for reliably sharing CAD files across multiple CAD programs. TransMagic saves companies time, effort and money by offering a better option than budgeting and maintaining several independent CAD environments.

TransMagic software translates CAD information directly from one modeling technology to another, supporting direct ACIS, ParaSolid *.x_t, CATIA V4 & V5, Unigraphics JT and more, preventing data loss. TransMagic's functionality extends far beyond any basic 3D model translator, with robust tools like "Gap Check" and "MagicSurface". TransMagic repairs model gaps, heals unstitched surfaces and automates much of the rework that often comes with basic STEP and IGES file exchange.

Superlift, one of the largest suspension companies in the off-road market, is one manufacturer using TransMagic to save time. "TransMagic has made it possible to open any neutral or native CAD file we receive, quickly isolate, repair and retrieve what we need," said Kevin Dill, Product Development Lead Engineer for Superlift. "Repairing damaged files and grouping what we need prior to importing has saved us lots of time. Our time is now better spent working with clean, manageable files that we can rely on as we design new products."

ZEMAX Development Corporation, developers of ZEMAX optical system design software, had a similar problem. "Our customers struggle with the handover between mechanical and optical engineering – they are optical engineers and not experts in CAD. Mechanical CAD packages are three orders of magnitude coarser resolution than what is needed for optical design and errors in mechanical designs may not be apparent in the CAD package," says Mark Nicholson, Vice-President, ZEMAX Development Corporation. "TransMagic is able to simply explain what is wrong with a badly-formed CAD file and then easily repair the file with a high resolution before importing into ZEMAX. CAD files repaired by TransMagic are imported into ZEMAX with no problems."

An independent review of TransMagic was recently written by Frank Sherosky of the Detroit Automotive Technology Examiner. In part he writes, "TransMagic appears good for suppliers, because it reads proprietary CAD files in their native formats. (While the operative word is "read," I'm also concerned with "write.") That alone makes for higher data-read integrity, not to mention same-day implementation. Furthermore, the company touts the system is scalable, meaning suppliers can buy value-priced suites and add more capabilities at a later time." The full review can be read HERE.

For more information about if TransMagic can help your business, you can contact us on this page.

New Alibre V11 Video Overview

2009-02-24T19:03:00.000+11:00

This new nine-minute video gives users a real good overview of basic 3D parameteric CAD design using Alibre. Last month Alibre partnered with CADDIT.net for distribution of their complete CAD CAM Design software series in Australia. For years Alibre CAD has been the budget choice for low-cost but easy to use parametric 3D CAD design software. Enjoy the video:

This video will also appear in our CAD CAM news feed. I should remind our Australian readers that CADDIT is still offering two Alibre registrations for the price of one. This special Alibre promotion lasts until Saturday the 28 ... CLICK HERE for more information...

Alibre Design 11.2: New Features Come in March!

2009-02-20T23:40:00.000+11:00

Alibre Design is a global standard for affordable 3D CAD design, and more recently CAD CAM CNC manufacturing. March will see the newest release of this powerful design tool made available in Australia and around the world. Other new features being added in Alibre 11.2 will include:

Product (Alibre Design Interface):

New global option in GUI (under Home window->Tools/Options) to keep all workspaces maximized
New global option in GUI (under Home window->Tools/Options) to enable/disable prompt for naming new workspace
Persist workspace browser position and size on file save to restore them on file open
Make default size of new workspace browsers to be 80% of display size
Persist explorer visibility and width and restore on open
Increase the default size of the Design Explorer
Ability to edit all vault metadata from inside the File->Properties dialog (General tab)

Addon (Framework):

Framework to let addon insert custom file filter in our File->Export dialog and accompanying API to allow such addon to export workspace to desired file format
New AlibreTranslate addon built around Datakit's translation library to import/export CAD formats such as SW, ProE, Parasolid, Catia etc. Merged SolidWorksReader add-on with AlibreTranslate
Enable showing 'Import Options' dialog while importing files via AlibreTranslate
Enable AlibreTranslate to accept SW file names containing Unicode (Japanese, Chinese etc) characters

AlibreTranslate is new software that will be made available as part of the Alibre product family very soon, as well. Alibre was introduced as new mid-range CAD CAM software by CADDIT Australia two weeks ago. Alibre can be downloaded HERE. More details are to follow in this CAD CAM Blog...

T-FLEX Design Quick-Start Tutorial PDF E-Book

2009-02-16T21:17:00.002+11:00

A few readers didn't know about the handy T-FLEX 11 beginner's design guide normally found HERE on the hard disk after the T-FLEX 11 CAD installation. So for easy access and to benefit the curious, we are posting the document online again for everyone to have a look. There are some really helpful tips for beginners here so you might want to bookmark this page. Click on one of the pages to open the entire publication online in a new window. To download the entire PDF file version (without the embedded reader) click HERE.

Open publication

T-FLEX CAD offers product design engineering PLM solutions similar to Pro/E, to some degree Unigraphics or even CATIA, but a fraction of the installation cost. Options include full multi-axis CNC milling & lathe cutting, FEA and kinematic simulation. T-FLEX PLM is used extensively by large companies like GEA Westfalia Separator and Festo. Read more about T-FLEX PLM here.

January 2010 NOTE: CADDIT has now published a quick Web Tutorial Overview for T-FLEX CAD HERE.

CAD CAM Australia 2009 Comes At Three Levels

2009-02-09T21:40:00.000+11:00

CADDIT has officially released the Alibre CAD/CAM software line for Australia on their online CAD software store. Alibre takes an important place with CADDIT's "Three-Tier-Portfolio" of software now being offered to Australian design and industry service customers. Many already know Alibre CAD to be a cost effective mid-range CAD offering parametric solid modelling, sheet metal design, basic motion kinematics, associative 2D layout detailing and other features. Designers also have the option to "drive" models from a spreadsheet, linking CAD designs to Microsoft Excel tables.

CADDIT will be working with Alibre to support both the Alibre CAD, complete with photo-render, Alibre Vault PDM, Algor Designcheck FEA and Rhino 3D Surfacing software - as well as the newer Alibre CAM line for associative 2.5 to 5 axis CNC milling. Alibre was released simultaneously on the CAD CAM Australia web portal and discussion is held on the CADDIT CAD Forum.

Alibre 3D CAD CAM software is offered as a "good starting point" for Australian business looking for cost-effective 3D design software, but looking to keep within a conservative budget. Alibre offers powerful design similar to SolidWorks, Siemens Solid Edge and Autodesk Inventor - but at a much lower price.

Alibre will join CADDIT's existing two CAD CAM product lines:

progeCAD/progeCAM basic low cost design & 2.5 axis machining for lathe mill & wire EDM
T-FLEX high-end hybrid surface/solid freeform-parametric PLM software.

Users can begin immediately downloading the new Alibre V11 from the CADDIT website. This software will run in full Expert mode for thirty days before reverting to it's free Xpress mode of asking for a commercial license which can be bought HERE.

progeCAM CNC Milling Lathe Wire EDM for progeCAD IntelliCAD

2009-02-08T17:03:00.000+11:00

progeCAM CNC Software for progeCAD 2009 has been released on CADDIT. progeCAM is an affordable CNC manufacturing package for progeCAD designers who would like to use a CNC mill, lathe or wire EDM machine for cutting their designs. The CADDIT progeCAM CNC package links progeCAD Professional to PartMaster CAM with a small plugin which adds several new machining commands directly to the progeCAD interface: pcamMILL, pcamTURN, pcamEDM - along with a pcamOPTION and pcamHELP command. Commands are enabled depending on the manufacturing license chosen. There is also a small progeCAD toolbar which can call these functions without typing.

The progeCAM manufacturing package including progeCAD 2009, Dolphin CNC PartMaster and the CADDIT module is priced at a combined discount of more than 10% plus including the module software and support for free.

Video Overview of T-FLEX CAD Parametric Feature Tree

2009-02-03T22:18:00.001+11:00

T-FLEX CAD CAM is a low cost PLM suite of mechanical design software which allows users to quickly create finished products and large moving assemblies with complex shapes and surfaces. A standard feature of parametric 3D CAD software is the feature tree which allows you to "browse" and change selected features from any point in the design history of a 3D model. The following short video offers an overview of the T-FLEX CAD 3D Parametric Feature Tree panel:

T-FLEX CAD is high-end PLM software like Pro Engineer, Unigraphics and CATIA but priced at a fraction of the cost. Although inexpensive upgrade options are available, every T-FLEX license is permanent and does not require anula subscription fees to continue working. CAD Designers are encouraged to download and try T-FLEX CAD CAM for themselves free for thirty days from CADDIT.net.

Free Online CAD Symbols, Models and AutoCAD Blocks

2009-01-27T15:54:00.000+11:00

There are many places available for downloading free CAD symbols and AutoCAD DWG DXF blocks from the Internet. Ready-made CAD symbols can be inserted into CAD drawings instead of creating them from scratch, therefore saving a designer time and making their job easier.

CBEN (http://www.cben.net/) home to one of the largest communities for continually updating large free AutoCAD DWG block libraries of anything from construction and architecture to vegetation, people, 3D models and more. All downloads are free. If you work a lot in AutoCAD and don't know about this site, you probably should.

Polantis has just launched a new but extensive visual website for 3D designs of mostly IKEA furniture - lots of IKEA furniture. This library already offers a good selection of their build-it-yourself virtual furnishings.

Archibase offers many free CAD models and patters, but this website seems to want users first to install a free "Archibase Toolbar" on their browser before downloading any blocks. We didn't care to, but I guess you can if you want...

Designers might also try http://cad.3dmodelfree.com. This site offers a visual library of drawings containing numerous blocks and templates for interior design, room and building drawings, furniture, shopping centers, elevation plans - even some Chinese symbols. The drawings come mostly RAR compressed, and some use passwords but the password is normally displayed on the web page for downloading that drawing as far as I can see...

Engineers looking for free 3D mechanical parts can try Dassault's http://www.3dcontentcentral.com. At first glance this site appears to go beyond offering simple CAD model downloads by trying to tie users and vendors (the model contributors) together with what appears to be an almost WEB 2.0 approach. I remember our first try with one of the listed suppliers (for a 3D stepper motor model I think) kept returning an error that the model wasn't found or couldn't be downloaded. But usually it works rather well I guess - offering all kinds of free 3D mechanical industrial vendor models in various formats like STEP IGES ACIS .SAT (for AutoCAD) and much more...

http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/cadfiles/index.html offers a small list of free CAD libraries and links to more libraries for wood working.

Of course, there are also many downloadable CAD symbols libraries as well. progeCAD Professional design CAD includes a free library manager with about 11,000 AutoCAD blocks called ALE. CP-System takes 2D CAD blocks a step further, giving users the ability to add, insert and modify new CAD blocks parametrically.

If you have a good link to free online CAD block or model resources you would like to see added to the list, feel free to post it in the comment section below.

New progeCAD Professional 2009 Video Tour

2009-01-20T00:53:00.000+11:00

progeCAD Professional 2009 offers a powerful new CAD interface - similar icons, commands and interface. Raster image editing, raster-to-vector software included. DWF, SVG, O2C and Google Earth KML export, IntelliCAD AutoLISP, VBA & DIESEL, ACIS 3D Solids modelling, temporary point snap (oSnap), layers, blocks. Hatch and xref editing. 3D shading and rendering options. approx. 11000+ CAD symbols library. progeCAD Professional can be downloaded for a thirty day trial HERE or register your full license online HERE.

CADDIT Announces Building Design Without BIM (Building Information Modeling)

2009-01-18T00:22:00.001+11:00

Sydney, Australia - CADDIT announced their release of a an exciting new line of CAD software products for building design without the overhead involved with Building Information Modeling (commonly known as BIM). CP-System is an affordable CAD software add-on for AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT (using LTX), progeCAD, BricsCAD and other IntelliCAD brands. CP-System represents a much easier, low-cost and practical approach to the needs of designers who need to work quickly but accurately.

CP-System is a simple suite of four separately priced toolboxes that turbocharge supported CAD systems into a complete building design studio. At the core of CP-System is a 2D parametric drawing editor which allows users to quickly draw electrical wiring, piping or duct elevation plans and then "insert" relevant symbols such as valves or switches from large libraries of associative drawing objects. Each library can be customized with objects from a user, or extended by downloading thousands more parts currently available from CP-System enabled industry suppliers (such as Fujitsu or Cablofil). A database is built as the drawing is created, which can be exported or printed as a Bill Of Material or specification in many common formats such as CSV, XLS, XML, RTF, HTML and PDF. CP-System objects can be edited or re-created later as required.

Each of the four separately-priced licenses activate one of the four different "design realms" offered by the CP-System framework:

HVAC - Actually this one license includes multiple libraries and functions for HVAC and PLUMBING, pumps and piping, gas and ducting systems, water distribution planning and design.
Electrical - Includes all the layout design tools for circuit wiring and cabling, medical and industrial, telecommunications, fire alarm and safety, cable trays, busbars and switch boxes.
Mechanical - This license is good for mechanical part design and includes all the nuts and bolts (literally) needed to put something together, also offers structural, hydarulic, pneumatic and additional fittings.
Architectural - The least expensive license but still very useful for overall architectural design or office and space planning etc. with doors, windows, furniture and more.

CADDIT now offers CP-System bundled with their progeCAD design platform as their new progePLAN product, which is available from CADDIT at a nice discount. Building designers considering progeCAD's AutoCAD compatibility would do well to consider the benefit of buying a CP-Sytem enabled progePLAN bundle for their work instead. All CP-System licenses currently include online software and symbol update services and remote access support. Currently CP-System only supports metric, however plans are to also support imperial units soon.

Regardless, however, building designers for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, structural, architectural and other systems are encouraged to download CP-System for their own CAD system and give this low-cost alternative to BIM design methodology a serious go. It will save them time, energy and the cost of the mistakes that arise from designing such systems from total scratch. For serious commercial designers in the building field, CP-System is a must-have!

New progeCAD 2009 Professional Offers Serious Performance

2009-01-13T13:55:00.000+11:00

Como Italy, 12 January 2009 – progeSOFT announced the worldwide release of progeCAD 2009 Professional DWG CAD software. progeCAD 2009 now offers Google Earth export, "Quick Dimensioning" commands and an improved CAD drawing interface.

Architects, engineers, designers and drafters using AutoCAD, Auto CAD LT, or IntelliCAD will be impressed with progeCAD 2009's overall unique performance for price combination. Unlike most AutoCAD compatible CAD programs, progeCAD 2009 Professional goes far beyond mere DWG file compatibility with dozens of extra features like an updated spell checker, DIESEL expression support and the addition of over 1000 new CAD symbols organized by the included ALE block manager. Nevertheless, progeCAD’s most inviting feature continues to be its incredibly low price compared to AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

Google Earth has become very popular since its release, used by professional surveyors and architects to visualize their projects in a realistic setting. Many people spend hours in fascination discovering new far off places using the tool. progeCAD 2009 Professional now allows users to send their drawings directly to Google Earth via the KML format - minus the rusty auto parked in the neighbors front yard of course.

progeCAD 2009 sports powerful interface updates like right-mouse click context menus, improved speed and reliability. AutoCAD LT users should be especially interested in continued support for PDF import, true ACIS 3D modeling, AutoLISP, VBA, and SDS (C++) program extensions – features not supported by AutoCAD LT. progeCAD 2009’s new "Advanced Data Extraction" wizard guides users in easily sending entity and block information to applications like Microsoft Excel. Other interface enhancements include new "one-click" text editing, an interactive "purge" command dialog, and "one-click" entity grouping.

progeCAD's new layout "print area visualization" feature shows you exactly how drawings will appear on paper. An "AutoCAD like" interface for properties modification has been added making modifying entity properties similar to AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.

Other features and bonus software include photo realistic rendering, eTransmit, PDF, ECW, O2C, JPG, SVG XML image file support and basic raster-to-vector conversion software. Polar tracking, eTrack, and a new eSnap-From mode help entity creation and placement.

progeCAD's "Express Tools", easy-to-use attribute editing, DWG redlining, in place external reference editing, and "Find and Replace" text and attribute search make progeCAD 2009 Professional a truly "professional" platform that is still unbelievably affordable – less than USD $400.00 suggested retail price. The release of progeCAD 2009 Professional comes at a time when just such an affordable yet robust AutoCAD-compatible drawing program is really needed.

Current progeCAD users are reminded that they can upgrade to the latest version at a significant discount to the already-low full version price. progeSOFT has improved the progeCAD software registration and activation interface making licensing progeCAD 2009 simple and reliable. Network NLM, USB mobile, and corporate licensing options for the 2009 version are available.

Users are encouraged to download or buy progeCAD in English from the closest of over 120 local authorized progeSOFT resellers world wide. Refer to progeSOFT North America (http://www.progesoft.us) for local resellers in United States, Canada or Mexico. CADDIT (http://www.caddit.net/) serves Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific. Others may refer to http://www.progesoft.com/?page=shop_listino .

Four New CAD Solutions from CADDIT in 2009

2008-12-27T09:40:00.000+11:00

2009 heralds the most interesting CAD CAM program portfolio ever serviced by CADDIT in Australia and New Zealand. Come see us regularly at http://www.caddit.net/ in 2009 for scheduled video presentations of the following four great new CAD software features:

1) VariCAD 3D parametrics. 2009 should see useful enhancements for Linux's favorite 3D industrial design CAD software program. Fully editable solid models make this light weight industrial design program the perfect low cost CAD for Linux. VariCAD is also offers native 3D CAD for Windows.

2) progeCAD 2009 reveals their best low cost AutoCAD design compatibility software yet. Additional to this products current support for AutoCAD-like commands, AutoLISP and native DWG file editing, progeCAD 2009 Professional designer software will offer advanced AutoCAD like features, such as DIESEL expressions and a greatly improved product registration process, for a far lower price than a single seat of AutoCAD LT (lite version). Additionally CADDIT will introduce three important new vertical applications for Australia and New Zealand:

progeARCH architectural design software for faster drawing of architectural floor plans, layouts and drawings.

progeEARTH civil 3D land survey software for advanced 3D Digital Terrain Modeling, road design, sewer design, parking layout and more.

QuoteCAD for fast project estimating, quoting and cost calculation using BOM (bill of materials) pricing based on the blocks used in a CAD drawing.

3) TransMagic delivers more CAD translation and collaboration resources for enterprise business with version 8. TransMagic products now offer robust visualization of JT files and full “read” and “write” support for exchanging JT files between any 3D CAD/CAM/CAE applications, including CATIA, NX, Pro/E, SolidWorks and Teamcenter. TransMagic already offers 3D file sharing and translation support for SolidWorks SLDPRT, CATIA V5 CATPRT, CATIA V4 .MODEL format, Unigraphics NX .PRT, STEP, IGES and more.

4) Mystery product. 2009 will see CADDIT launch a third level of CAD CAM solutions to Australia and New Zealand. Visit our site to see this additional line of CAD CAM soon.

Autodesk Mergers Continue; Buys Algor FEA

2008-12-18T12:34:00.000+11:00

When I posted several days ago that economic downturn was a good time to invest in new technology, I didn't exactly have serial corporate takeovers in mind. Despite its fallen share price, Autodesk continues its series of acquisitions with its takeover of Algor. In business since 1974, ALGOR, Inc. is a long-standing provider of finite element analysis software.

It was announced on Tenlinks today that Autodesk is to buy Algor "for approximately $34 million". Similar announcements have been made on Yahoo Biz and Reuters.

According to the announcement in Reuters, "Upon completion of the acquisition, Autodesk's current intent is to integrate ALGOR into its Manufacturing Solutions business unit and to continue developing and selling ALGOR's core product line. Autodesk plans to continue developing the ALGOR products with an open approach, allowing direct data exchange between ALGOR products and multiple computer aided design software offerings."

Algor currently integrates their base static stress FEA "Designcheck" solution with several CAD CAM industry solutions, including Rhino, Cadkey, SolidWorks and Autodesk Mechanical Desktop. Several of Algor's strategic business partners were not anticipating the Autodesk takeover.