It starts with a simple design: the chair. Autodesk has numerous small projects for its generative design program, including its collaboration with Volkswagen on a showcase 1962 hippie bus, ongoing work with Airbus, and a collaboration with General Motors on auto parts. Generative design allows designers to define constraints for a part, the elements that are absolutely … [Read more...] about Autodesk finds an edge in generative design
3D CAD
Nvidia showcases VR, AR, and rendering at SolidWorks World 2019
Offers new features to lure 3D CAD users to the Turing generation. At SolidWorks World 2019, Nvidia was selling the merits of its Turing RTX 4000 graphics board to workstation users. At the conference, Nvidia highlighted the advantages to be gained by Nvidia’s dedicated cores for rendering and also enough onboard memory to handle large models and assemblies. VR and AI also got … [Read more...] about Nvidia showcases VR, AR, and rendering at SolidWorks World 2019
High-end CAD features have migrated to low-price CAD
TurboCAD and BricsCAD are rewriting the notion that it takes a $5,000 CAD program to do specialized tasks. By Ralph Grabowski Can we still call CAD “low-end” when it does sheet metal design and direct editing of 3D solids? Programs in the past have been considered low-end CAD when they cost a few hundred dollars and provided general drafting functions — in 2D usually, and … [Read more...] about High-end CAD features have migrated to low-price CAD
Onshape extends its 3D cloud CAD with sheet metal design
“Simultaneous Sheet Metal” technology lets users work concurrently on flat, folded and bend table representations. Onshape today released new sheet metal design capabilities for its cloud-based mechanical CAD design system. The new tools allow creation and refinement of sheet metal parts with simultaneous generation of editable, synchronized flat, folded, and tabular views. … [Read more...] about Onshape extends its 3D cloud CAD with sheet metal design
Survey finds BIM use tops 38% across AEC disciplines
A majority of potential users have not yet migrated to building information modeling. The most recent CAD market survey from Business Advantage Group finds that use of building information modeling (BIM) technology is starting to grow after several years with little market growth. Currently, across all professional disciplines 35% of relevant companies are using BIM … [Read more...] about Survey finds BIM use tops 38% across AEC disciplines
Shapr3D offers iPad Pro-only 3D CAD
Intended for early design work, Shapr3D supports common 3D export formats. Don’t expect Android anytime soon. Shapr3D is gaining attention as a 3D CAD app made specifically for the Apple iPad and the Apple Pencil. Developer Istvan Csanady saw developing 3D CAD specifically for the iPad Pro as an opportunity to re-invent the 3D modeling process. Csanady, based in … [Read more...] about Shapr3D offers iPad Pro-only 3D CAD
SPECapc releases new benchmark for Siemens NX
A complete redesign offers new models, latest graphics display modes and a fresh GUI. The non-profit group SPEC has released a new benchmark for Siemens NX, the high-end 3D CAD program popular in heavy industry and automotive. The new software from SPEC's Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) offers performance evaluation for computers running Siemens NX 9.0 … [Read more...] about SPECapc releases new benchmark for Siemens NX
PTC immerses its users in the Internet of Things
From introducing recent acquisition ThingWorx to buying a systems engineering specialist, PTC wants its users to think big about making the new world of smart, connected products. PTC continues to distinguish itself from its PLM peers at this week’s Planet PTC conference with a push beyond product engineering and design into services. There are new versions of PTC’s two … [Read more...] about PTC immerses its users in the Internet of Things
Siemens NX 9 beefs up synchronous technology, adds freeform design tools
From editing 2D drafting files to working with monstrous 3D assemblies, NX continues to be a force in CAD. Siemens PLM Software says its latest release of its enterprise product development 3D CAD product NX introduces new technologies to enhance product design and engineering. In particular Siemens says its new Realize Shape technology, a freeform design toolset, makes it … [Read more...] about Siemens NX 9 beefs up synchronous technology, adds freeform design tools
DesignSpark Mechanical downloads top 50,000 in first two weeks
Will other parts vendors also offer free CAD tied to their parts catalogs? We recently reported on the launch of DesignSpark Mechanical, a free 3D CAD program distributed by RS Components (UK/EU) and Allied Electronics (North America), based on SpaceClaim technology. Today the parent company Electrocomponents plc reports more than 50,000 registered downloads of the software in … [Read more...] about DesignSpark Mechanical downloads top 50,000 in first two weeks