Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:56:00 +0000 - On June 25 2008Autodesk, Inc.(Nasdaq: ADSK) completed its acquisition of Moldflow Corporation, partly made possible by means of "Autodesk's existing revolving credit facility with Citibank N.A." What the press release didn't mention was the removal of several directors from the Moldflow board. Not Autodesk's. Of course not. And now I am guessing that "merger" is the psychologically-correct way of saying "takeover"... a way that doesn't make end users want to run away quite so fast. Like the "merger" of Cimmatron and GibbsCAM, right?
Autodesk mentions a "Safe Harbour" statement as part of their press release concerning "the impact of the acquisition on Autodesk's earnings per share, business performance and product offerings; Autodesk's commitments to Moldflow customers; and the impact of the combined product capabilities." One always wonders if and how the working class end user will benefit. On one positive side, it could result in some free version release similar to Maya. No doubt Inventor will enjoy enhanced integration, but will other platform users (i.e. SolidWorks) continue to enjoy the same benefit?
Today VariCAD announced the release of VariCAD 2008 2.0. Here is what is new in this release:
- It is available in both 32 and 64-bit versions - 2D drawing editor works also in 3D space, which is especially important for editing solid profiles and creation of new solids using profile rotation, extrusion, etc. - 2D drawing in 3D works also with access to 3D solids - Improvements in 2D drawing - Improvements in working with colors and color settings - Improvements in 3D display and objects selection - And more
Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:10:00 +0000 - T-FLEX hybrid freeform parametric 3D product and assembly design software offers maximum flexibility with an easy-to-use interface. This is our first in an upcoming series of T-FLEX CAD CAM Introductory design videos on YouTube. 8 minutes. More information about T-FLEX CAD CAM is available from CADDIT.
Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:12:00 +0000 - It is possible after installing T-FLEX CAD CAM to experience the error when starting T-FLEX that the application has "terminated unexpectedly". One reason this could occur is if the computer is missing the Microsoft .NET 2.0 runtime.
The .NET framework is not a T-FLEX specific program. It is an optional (and commonly used) part of the Microsoft Windows operating system. The CADDIT T-FLEX CAD installer doesn't actually install this runtime automatically because most users probably already have it installed. But they must install it if they don't already have it.
Here is one trick to get it. The .NET 2.0 installer is actually included in the CADDIT T-FLEX installer's download package. Look for the "NetfxSetup" folder inside the temporary directory into which the CADDIT installer unpacks itself and then runs. Run "dotnetfx20.exe" for 32-bit XP or "NetFx64.exe" for 64 bit machines.
Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:10:00 +0000 - TransMagic Inc has announced the public release of TransMagic R7 SP2 CAD viewer and conversion software for CATIA, Pro Engineer, Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Unigraphics and other systems. New features and enhancements include:
New CAD Version Support • JT Read/Write Add-on (Visualization and B-Rep)
Updated CAD Version Support • CATIA V5 R18 • ACIS R18 • SolidWorks 2008 • Inventor 2009
New Usability Features • Multi-Thread Technology • PMI Official Release • Inventor 2009 Certification • High Resolution Image Capabilities • Extended CATIA V5 Write Options • Extended SolidWorks Read Options • Optional Long File Name Trimming • Split Window Views • Batch Translator Enhancements
Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:25:00 +0000 - Many readers are unaware that CADDIT also participates in various splinter OSD projects. One of those is PythonD, a complete port of the python scripting language to the 32-bit DJGPP development platform for DOS. Another of these projects was a (yet another) failed attempt to port a functional X11 GUI framework to the same environment. A pasted IRC chat from the defunct #djgpp channel tells the story:
[bdeck2] The original plan ages ago was to port tkinter [bdeck2] that meant whiping away the coderot from the DJGPP X11 port [bdeck2] The mouse IO no longer worked because things moved on to GRX2 [bdeck2] The DJGPP X11 port was still based on GRX1 IO using the old DJGPP V1 IO queue [bdeck2] The guy doing Kaffe-PC updated the mouse driver for GRX2 [bdeck2] it took me ages to find his shim [bdeck2] The Port includes a version of the FVWM windowing manager [RadSurfer] Ok. [bdeck2] I was able to finally compile tk-wish [bdeck2] wish.exe running in DOS [bdeck2] without requiring some third-party app like desqviewx or something [bdeck2] but I ran into another snag [bdeck2] I realized that I would have to write custom DJGPP-FVWM wrappers around the window applets. [bdeck2] I realized that I would have to completely re-write the tcl-terminal from scratch to use a graphical-pseudo-terminal that co-dispayed inside the GRX session with the applet [bdeck2] or invent a hotkey that toggled between the two with some degree of stability [bdeck2] I realized my X11 port was hardly a port at all [bdeck2] but new software [bdeck2] that nobody, including me, could use [bdeck2] so that's the story [bdeck2] k [RadSurfer] If others picked up and worked with it...I wonder... [bdeck2] I brought it up once on the newsgroup [bdeck2] nobody had any real time to make a further go of it. [Blairguy] so did the fvwm port somewhat work? [bdeck2] yeah [Blairguy] could it actually display the graphics on DOS? [bdeck2] worked good [bdeck2] I have a hello world demo somewhere... [RadSurfer] could have interesting applications. [bdeck2] yeah... if someone wants to play... this would be a fun toy I suppose [RadSurfer] be really cool if it got itself worked directly into a DOS-OS kernel [hint] [bdeck2] I'm not sure what you propose... [Blairguy] dare I ask how big the exe was? [bdeck2] uhh... about 400K or so I think ... somehow [Blairguy] wow [Blairguy] that's pretty tiny [RadSurfer] A graphic "dos" (ie. 32-bit console) environment. Cool. [Blairguy] well, if you want that then you can use SEAL2 or OzoneGUI [Blairguy] or GEM for that matter [bdeck2] uh RadSurfer... [RadSurfer] I'm not as advanced as you two... [bdeck2] there is no console support [Blairguy] GEM is a 16-bit DOS GUI that has lots of progs written for it [bdeck2] that was the problem I was trying to describe [Blairguy] but it's single-tasking [RadSurfer] it need only display a terminal (ie. console) box. [RadSurfer] single-thread. [RadSurfer] hmmm... [bdeck2] Someone has to write it [bdeck2] ergo my tkwish port [RadSurfer] anyways, I wonder if windows got its start like this? [Blairguy] why not just XTerm? [RadSurfer] windows 3.11, lol [bdeck2] I looked at xterm sources [Blairguy] or rxvt? [Blairguy] and? [bdeck2] couldn't find any simple enough to port just using fvwm and djgpp functionality. They were all multitasking socket oriented terminals. [Blairguy] oic [bdeck2] for real-unix [Blairguy] hmm [bdeck2] see in unix [Blairguy] a port of GNOME would be cool :-) [bdeck2] the terminal provides a text environment for a shell [Blairguy] but that's simply the point where it would stop being DOS and start being UNIX [bdeck2] the shell is called in a fork and signalled remotely using ... drum roll... the X11 UNIX socket layer! [Blairguy] so what about WATT-32 for the socket layer? [bdeck2] yeeessh [bdeck2] missing the point here [bdeck2] my DJGPP-X11 is *NOT* a client-server app [bdeck2] there is NO SOCKET to connect to [Blairguy] oh :-) [bdeck2] it is, for arguments sake, a DOS windowing environemnt that very much looks like the old days of sunOS 1.x [bdeck2] but under the hood, it is *anything* but X11 [bdeck2] the headers are the same [bdeck2] there is a libX11, libfvwm, etc [Blairguy] so have you done any other exotic ports? [bdeck2] but the true client-server multitasking window-manager you think of with X11 simply isn't there. [Blairguy] ic [bdeck2] sort of defeats the purpose [bdeck2] Now [bdeck2] on the other hand [bdeck2] itt could prove useful... if tweaked a bit.. for something like the X11 ghostscript driver [bdeck2] which I fooled with once, go as far as having a white screen up, but that is as far as that went [Blairguy] cool [Blairguy] that'd be great [bdeck2] not cool [bdeck2] it wasted time [Blairguy] oh [Blairguy] well, if it worked it'd be great [bdeck2] hey ANYTHING is possible if you are prepared to sacrifice time for it [bdeck2] of all the pythond users [bdeck2] only one casually requested tkinter [bdeck2] I killed the project and archived my X11 stuff, scared someone might ask me to support it [RadSurfer] might prove useful someday. [bdeck2] real pythond *users* just want basic python shell scripting and socket functionality in DOS [RadSurfer] you certainly learned alot working on it. [RadSurfer] I rather like IDLE myself. [bdeck2] a few play with the OpenGl stuff I went as far as releasing [RadSurfer] it makes recalling previous lines easier. [bdeck2] but I never get new demos, contributions to the code, or even comments [RadSurfer] pythonwin, if you want win32 extensions and debugging. [RadSurfer] actually... if the lines were number of something, you;d think we could recall previous lines or somehow [bdeck2] those gooey environments are good for learning anyway [RadSurfer] thats my only pet peeve with dos [bdeck2] PythonD is just a basic python port that works(for the most part) in DOS [RadSurfer] installing a tsr scroll-back buffer with copy/paste, is handy :) [bdeck2] please no more TSRs [bdeck2] my users already need LFN [RadSurfer] whether or not thats compatible with pythond, I have not tested. [bdeck2] Packet [bdeck2] maybe something else [bdeck2] mouse? [bdeck2] video [RadSurfer] video? [bdeck2] and their own CDrom stuff [RadSurfer] plot-graphics... like scipy ? [bdeck2] they might have some specioal DOS video driver [bdeck2] I was just thinking about TSRs [RadSurfer] python with its own scroll-back buffer and recall would be nice. [bdeck2] someone once suggested a /dev/random TSR available for DOS to improve the security in my GPG port [bdeck2] I refuse to make these packages deppendent on more TSRs than absolutely neccessary [RadSurfer] of course. [bdeck2] TSR-hell was worse than DLL-hell [RadSurfer] but if it were built-in... since the djgpp port is already kinda unique. [bdeck2] I guess that could be done. Want to do it? [RadSurfer] Oh! I got it! [RadSurfer] I love swig. I use Swig with Python 2.3, and 2.4 [RadSurfer] how about a DJGPP port of Swig !! [bdeck2] already did it [RadSurfer] where? [RadSurfer] gimme! GIMME! [bdeck2] I don't support it [bdeck2] I just use it [RadSurfer] ok. fine. GIMME! [RadSurfer] :-) [bdeck2] terms of GPL ARE: [bdeck2] must release source with binary release of any port [RadSurfer] THAT I would test and get back to you on. [bdeck2] just too much hassel [RadSurfer] I'll except the binary. [RadSurfer] Let me test it a litt.e [RadSurfer] s/litt.e/little [bdeck2] I already use it a lot [bdeck2] I know it works [RadSurfer] How..do..I..get..it. [Blairguy] [mcericicq] how about just using reactos or linux? [RadSurfer] which version of Swig is this based on ? [bdeck2] SWIG Version 1.3.21 [bdeck2] Copyright (c) 1995-1998 [bdeck2] University of Utah and the Regents of the University of California [bdeck2] Copyright (c) 1998-2003 [bdeck2] University of Chicago [bdeck2] Compiled with gpp.exe [i686-pc-msdosdjgpp] [RadSurfer] I'm using the latest version with python.org's 2.3, 2.4.2 [RadSurfer] sounds about right. [Blairguy] hey ben [RadSurfer] How big is the Binary? [bdeck2] grrrrr.... [bdeck2] www.swig.org [Blairguy] is pythond optimized for just 386? [bdeck2] oh [bdeck2] hmmmmm [bdeck2] yeah [bdeck2] think so [Blairguy] that's good [Blairguy] I have a 386 [RadSurfer] did you have to tweak it to work with PythonD ? swig source [bdeck2] I modified the stack space to 2Meg using stubedit [bdeck2] pythond [bdeck2] I mean [bdeck2] No not really [bdeck2] maybe incidentals but porting swig isn't rocket science [RadSurfer] if u say so. [bdeck2] just make sure the os stuff is right... directory and path deliminators [bdeck2] autoconf [bdeck2] configure [bdeck2] make [bdeck2] make install [bdeck2] ;-) [RadSurfer] ok. [Blairguy] any other interesting DJGPP ports? [bdeck2] Some black-porting-magic: I use the following configure command line if it helps: [RadSurfer] I may be getting busy around here, and not able to check in as often as I'd like. [bdeck2] ./configure msdos-i386 --with-static --disable-shared --program-suffix=.exe --prefix=/dev/env/DJDIR --without-pic --bindir=/dev/env/DJDIR/bin --datadir=/dev/env/DJDIR/ --includedir=/dev/env/DJDIR/include --mandir=/dev/env/DJDIR/man --infodir=/dev/env/DJDIR/info --sysconfdir=/dev/env/DJDIR/etc --enable-networking --with-history --with-spooldir=/dev/env/DJDIR/var --disable-libtool-lock --with-pid-dir=/dev/env/DJDIR/var --with-cxx=gpp --with-exec-sh [bdeck2] ell=bash.exe --disable-largefile --disable-gcc-pipe --enable-tcap-names --without-debug --with-fallbacks=ansi,ansi.sys,ansi80x30,dumb,wyse350,xterm,crt,gnome,vt200,cygwin,djgpp,djgpp204 --without-ada --program-suffix=.exe --without-x --enable-getcap --enable-termcap --enable-warnings --with-termpath=/dev/env/DJDIR/etc/termcap --with-md5-passwords --with-pid-dir=/dev/env/DJDIR/varq --disable-dev-random --disable-shared-handles --disable-dependenc [bdeck2] y-tracking --disable-libtool-lock --disable-nls --disable-dependency-tracking --disable-largfile [Blairguy] wow [Blairguy] command.com couldn't handle that ever :-) [RadSurfer] hehe [bdeck2] the djgpp guys weren't as enthused [RadSurfer] thats why god creates make files ;-) [bdeck2] some fealt that some of the arguments were unecessary [bdeck2] one longtimer said ./configure should be enough [Blairguy] I personally use: [bdeck2] the configure script should be ported if it didn't [bdeck2] like hell! [Blairguy] ./configure --prefix=/dev/env/DJDIR --disable-nls --disable-dependency-tracking [Blairguy] and sometimes with: [bdeck2] I will not port every darn configure script that assumes I should have a /var or dynamic gcc linking [Blairguy] --host=i386-pc-msdosdjgpp --target=i386-pc-msdosdjgpp --build=i386-pc-msdosdjgpp [bdeck2] yeah [Blairguy] btw, how did you port ncurses? [Blairguy] I had a lot of difficulty getting that to compile, and when it finally did, I got linking errors trying to link a prog with it [bdeck2] http://dickey.his.com/ncurses/ [Blairguy] the ./configure script never really worked for me [bdeck2] yeah [bdeck2] I had to tweak the makefile [bdeck2] that one takes a bit of patience [Blairguy] I'm not great with makefiles [Blairguy] or with configure scripts [bdeck2] but it's worth it [Blairguy] can you please send me a source tree? [bdeck2] I didn't keep it. [bdeck2] I just have 5.4 binaries
By the way, for those interested in antiquities, the results of this and related work are kept on sourceforge as part of the uDOS project.
Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:17:00 +0000 - We don't normally do this. But I had to laugh when I saw the newest content ad from ailing Chinese IntelliCAD vendor, ZWCAD. Maybe because they targeted a market outside Australia, they thought we wouldn't see it here in Sydney? Some background: CADDIT Asia-Pacific has been successfully raising awareness about a robust, low-cost AutoCAD Clone Software called progeCAD. One of the messages they have been doing this with for several months now is a paid image ad. This is our ad in question:
They say that imitation is the greatest flattery? Well, here is the new ad from Chinese competitor ZWCAD (RM stands for Malaysian Ringgit, btw):
We first saw this ad at http://www.neofame.com.my/store291007/index.php . It looks like movies, software and patents aren't the the only thing the Chinese like to pirate :). Judge for yourself.
Fri, 30 May 2008 14:38:00 +0000 - Since there is a lot of confusion about CAD files, I thought some of this would be helpful.
Almost every CAD program has their own binary CAD format. And most CAD formats have many versions! For example, AutoCAD 12 cannot read AutoCAD 14 DWG any more than Word 97 can read Office XP docs.See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CAD_file_formats
There are some "more or less generic formats" used for exchange. Here are some: DXF (many versions over the years) IGES (Current version 5.3 ?) STEP (*.stp - be careful of this one - several versions called "application protocols) STL (for polygon models) XYZ (just coordinate data for "point cloud") DWG (Autodesk proprietary made public by ODA see http://www.opendwg.com/) ACIS *.sat 3D Solid ModelsParasolid x_t 3D Solid Models HPGL - Hewlett Packard Plotting data files SVG - A new XML vector data format, could be used in CAD
It is possible to convert between CAD formats. Several things are required. Both formats must support the entities (CAD object types) that are being converted. A software program is also need that can provide the actual translation. CADDIT is a regional distributor for TransMagic CAD Translation Software, as well as providing CAD conversion services themselves.
Tue, 27 May 2008 04:42:00 +0000 - CADDIT Software is offering a free CD to those requesting one within Australia and New Zealand. The complimentary CD provides the same trial version of our most popular CAD products. The CDs are for those who have problems to download the applications for one reason or another. There are free trail CDs available for:
The issues around this ruling are complex and a final district ruling is not due until June. But it could serve as an important benchmark for similarly licensed software sold by other companies. Such decisions can ultimately challenge the legal position that software EULA take, restricting the customer's use of software they have paid for. That being said, many modern software programs like AutoCAD still require an activation from the vendor for each new installation. I offer one guess as to whether Autodesk would nicely re-activate a used serial of AutoCAD 2006 that someone buys "arguably legally", but second-hand.
Fri, 02 May 2008 16:04:00 +0000 - The rumours are true. T-Flex is finally here.
What is T-Flex? High-end hybrid parametric solid and surface modeling CAD CAM software. Many of the features somewhat resemble Pro Engineer. T-Flex CAD comes bundled with basic FEA and motion simulation and kinematic study for assemblies. Sketches are defined by either outlining or hatching vector construction entities, much the way a board draftsman darkens (HB) lines from his much lighter draft strokes (6H).
But don't let the simplicity fool you! T-Flex CAD CAM has been used to develop entire factories and transport systems. It's hybrid modeling abilities allow free-form changes to be made on parametric solids or surfaces, and these free-form changes can then themselves be changed parametrically from the model history. Coupled with an extensive standard parts library and included simulation and FEA, T-Flex is a complete engineering platform.
T-Flex CAD costs a fraction of what competitive systems do. CADDIT as further reduced the T-Flex price for a limited time as part of the product launch in Australia and New Zealand. It can be downloaded and tested free from the CADDIT T-Flex Page.
Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:37:00 +0000 - 15% seems to be the magic number for the CAD software industry this year. Jon Peddie Reseach, a US based research group, predicts 15% growth in the CAD software market for 2008. This is due partially to changing technologies and a continued shift toward mid-range systems.
Cambashi engineering and enterprise IT applications market research and analysis consultants in the UK confirm the 15% for 2008 but predict a slowdown thereafter.
The job market for the same sector is not so strong, but this is nothing new. Concerns about finding emloyement as a draftsman or design engineer recycle themselves every seven years or so. But new International and Asian service competition adds to the uncertainty. Engineering students are thus being encouraged to fortify their skillset with related qualifications in manufacturing and applied sciences.
Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:13:00 +0000 - progeCAD 2008 8.0.18 IntelliCAD has been released. This is a free upgrade for all current progeCAD 2008 customers. progeCAD Professional users can upgrade online simply by clicking "Help -> Check Update" from the progeCAD menu bar. progeCAD Standard and progeCAD Smart! will also be upgraded soon.
New features and fixes in 8.0.18 General features and fixes TEXT: Dwgcodepage will be automatically set to syscodepage in new drawings in order to handle different charsets (cyrillic, greek, chinese, etc) TEXT: "Open this dialog when the drawing and system code differs" option has been fixed in the CODEPAGE dialog TEXT: Fixed text alignement in right to left languages TEXT: Fixed MTEXT dialog issue with very small text size DIMENSION: Fixed prefix/suffix direct change in dimensions DIMENSION: Fixed text direction after a dimension mirroring DIMENSION: Fixed crash on angular dimension mirroring command DRAW: Fixed Proxy AEC support in drawings DRAW: Fixed opening problem with some files having anonymous blocks in them DRAW: No more progeCAD crashes with close zoom in viewports inside the paper space with hidden lines DRAW: Fixed opening by double clicking dwg files (problem related to just a few systems) DRAW: Fixed NONE temporary snap issue DRAW: Rotate now works even with ANGBASE and ANGDIR different from default COMMANDS: Added -block command from command line COMMANDS: Fixed crash with some "Multiple copy" command options COMMANDS: Fixed ATTDEF command options IMAGES: Incremented the available memory for images insertion, avoiding so some progeCAD 2008 crash IMAGES: Added the georeference automatic management for ECW images DISPLAY: Fixed real time Zoom and Pan commands in paper space DISPLAY: Fixed viewport diplay problem with hidden lines and ucs that differs from the global one DISPLAY: Fixed a display problem with some drawings having viewports in paper space PERFORMANCES: Improved saving performances of dwg files PERFORMANCES: Improvement in selection/deselection in blocks with attributes PERFORMANCES: Fixed the Esnap selection problem in drawings having Xref or Blocks with a lot of entities (the mouse slowed down) PERFORMANCES: Memory improvement in saving operations PERFORMANCES: Little SNAP steps cause no more problems PERFORMANCES: Fixed opening issue in a few situations with files having Proxy entities PERFORMANCES: Speeded up work on drawings with not available inserted images. No more persisent error messages at command line. MENU: Fixed Draw->Surfaces->3D Face menu item MENU: The maximum number of menu items now is 8000 (before it was 3000) ALE : "Back to ALE after insert" option now works correctly INSTALLATION: No more error message while installing with the NOPDF option if the user privileges are low REGISTRATION: Fixed USB key registration
Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:24:00 +0000 - Some may have had problems to read SolidWorks 2007 files within TransMagic. I am happy to say that this problem seems apparently fixed in the upcoming TransMagic SP2 release available at CADDIT soon.
We have been working with the beta and SolidWorks 3D solid body topology seems to read in fine now. We did notice that TransMagic does not support reading the underlying parametric sketches, even when importing empty bodies and wireframe. Still, this is an important improvement for some.
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:19:00 +0000 - progeCAD Australia staff member demonstrates the how to create DWG blocks, insert them in a DWG drawing file, and how progeCAD saves additional time with their ALE DWG block library of 10,000 blocks that is part of the progeCAD Professional software, USB and Network Licenses options available from CADDIT.net.
Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:49:00 +0000 - CADDIT staff have been involved in most aspects third party OEM product design for many years. Now we are posting some of the past projects (the ones that we can) on our Elance page.
I loose count of the number of CAD systems we have licensed in house. CATIA V4, Cadkey, Inventor, T-Flex, VX, progeCAD (of course) and several others. We specialize in plastics assembly design, especially in automotive. But we are flexible. Once I even looked at a project for Nike ;)
Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:42:00 +0000 - Machinists and designers alike will be interested in this affordable, scalable solution for mechanical design, drafting and CNC machining. progeCAM will be sold in two flavours:
progeCAM Basic: Will be sold worldwide. Bundles the "Professional Version" of the world's favorite IntelliCAD (statistically speaking) with the well-know PartMaster from Dolphin (Level 1).
progeCAM Professional: Will be sold and supported only in Australia, New Zealand and surrounding region. Bundles progeCAD Professional with the buyers choice of professional machinists multi-axis CNC/DNC milling, lathe turning or wire EDM.
progeCAM offers the economical "best of both worlds" to mechanical engineers: progeCAD's robust AutoCAD-like drafting framework with PartMaster industrial-strength CNC machinining software. progeCAM is sold and supported exclusively by CADDIT.net and their authorized resellers. Read the entire press release on CADDIT Australia.
Affordably priced and custom packaged, progeCAM will be released next week on CADDIT CAD CAM Australia. progeCAM will be a flexible solution with a starting price around $500, with more advanced bundles for industrial machinists requiring lathe, wire EDM, DNC and multi-axis CNC milling.
A formal announcement with complete information and links will be made at that time.
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:20:00 +0000 - CADDIT recently announced their introduction of the TransMagic 3D CAD file translator suite to the Australian market. TransMagic not only translates CAD data - it can analyze, render, cut and even heal files from CATIA, Pro Engineer, Unigraphics, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor and many other systems. The following five minute video demonstrates how Australian engineers read CAD files from multiple systems without buying another CAD system.
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:14:00 +0000 - The BSA offers a $5,000* reward for information that leads to a successful action against a business entity using unauthorised software. It is illegal and against the terms of Smart! EULA to use progeCAD Smart! freeware for commercial or business purposes of any sort.
But warnings don't always work. Twenty-nine percent of software installed on PCs in Australia in 2006 was obtained illegally, according to a new study by analyst house IDC, sponsored by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) -- a two percent drop from 2005 levels.
Measures are underway to deal with illegal use of Smart. CADDIT has temporarily lowered the price of progeCAD 2008 Professional and progeCAD Standard 2008 to encourage businesses to legalize the use of this great product.
Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:54:00 +0000 - WorldCAD Access from upFront.eZine reported on Jul 26, 2007 that "Frustrated with the pace of development at the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium, Europe's Bricsys is working on its own development path".
Apparently they feel that they can do a better job? Reports are sketchy, but some indicate that BricsCAD plans to leave the ITC altogether. I can't help but wonder what next years BricsCAD "upgrade" will really be like. If anyone has more details about this, feel free to post them here.
Despite aggresive marketing, the BricsCAD version of IntelliCAD has not been as successful as others, and this may contribute to the alleged decision. Meanwhile, the progeSOFT website enjoys the highest Alexa rating of any IntelliCAD brand, and Google consistently reports search interest in the name nearly matches all the other brands combined. progeSOFT investment in R&D has also doubled.
Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:07:00 +0000 - Youtube is hosting this video trailer for our upcoming "progeCAD Action" video series. These videos should answer many of the questions our new users have had about CAD drafting, as well as indroducing someof us to advanced functionality like Etrack (Otrack), XREFs, VBA, AutoLISP customization and more. Visit the CADDIT CADCAM3D Youtube page and add your comments.
