Integrated 2D View and Markup Enhancements, Collaborative Engineering Review, and Assembly Support Increase SolidView’s Communication Capabilities.
Valencia, CA - March 2, 1998—Solid Concepts Inc. announced today the immediate availability of SolidView Version 3.0. SolidView 3.0 includes several new enhancements designed to facilitate the communication of 3D and 2D design information and minimize the use of drawings for communicating mechanical designs.
Announcement Summary:
Integrated 2D View and Markup - SolidView 3.0 lets users add 2D objects to their 3D designs for added flexibility in communicating design information. These 2D objects can be as simple as a single GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance) frame or as complex as a complete set of engineering drawings. Any 2D objects added to a SolidView SFX (Solid File eXchange) file can be viewed with the free SolidPlayer program available from Solid Concepts.
Collaborative Engineering Review - SolidView 3.0 now allows users to register themselves as an author for all their view and markup annotations. Collaborative review tools in SolidView make it easy to view notes, markups and other annotations chronologically, or by author, making it easier for engineering groups to electronically discuss design issues.
VDA-FS Interface Option - SolidView 3.0 includes an optional VDA-FS import feature that allows for the direct import, viewing, and measuring of VDA-FS files.
Assembly Support - With SolidView 3.0 users can import complete assembly structures in VRML format. Within SolidView, users can view the assembly structure and selectively show and hide elements within the structure.
Low Cost Upgrade - Existing SolidView 2.0 and 2.1 users can upgrade any single-user license for only $148, as long as they purchase their upgrade before May 1, 1998. Network licenses may be upgraded for $296 per license before May 1, 1998. Starting May 1, 1998, single-user upgrades will be $198 per license and network upgrades will be $396 per license.
The new 2D capability in SolidView makes it possible to communicate design and manufacturing information throughout an organization with one easy-to-use program. According to Ron DeBrabant, Director of Design Process & CAD/CAM Integration at General Motors, there is a tremendous benefit in having an integrated 2D and 3D view and markup system. "Having a shaded 3D model you can easily measure is great for visualizing a design," says DeBrabant, "but many organizations such as manufacturing and purchasing require detailed information that is typically only available in a 2D drawing. Being able to view and markup 2D and 3D information in one system will allow everyone to have access to the design information they need to complete their job."
SolidView 3.0 supports a number of 2D vector formats, including CGM, HPGL, HPGL2, and 2D DXF , as well as popular raster formats such as BMP, TIFF, PCT, and JPG. Text files may also be imported, making it easy to add existing textual and report information to SolidView files. Once a 2D object has been loaded into SolidView, the user can move, scale or clip the image as needed. For example, a user may want to only show a particular GD&T frame that is currently part of a complete engineering drawing. With SolidView, they can easily zoom in on the GD&T frame and add that image to any view. View and markup annotations, including lines, arrows, rectangles, circles, and a free form markup, as well as text and notes, can be added to any 2D object.
SolidView’s simple viewing controls make it easy to view a 3D object or assembly from any position, and a sectioning tool allows interior part and assembly features to be viewed and measured. Simple tool buttons can be used to create associative 3D dimensions between part features or assemblies. All the 3D and 2D objects, along with any notes, markups, and dimensions the user has created, can be saved in SolidView’s highly compact SFX format.
SolidView’s SFX format offers several distinct advantages over other formats for communicating design information. SFX files are typically much smaller than the corresponding VRML, IGES, STL, or native CAD files. Multiple SFX security levels allow users to limit unauthorized access to information in the SFX file, something that cannot be done with VRML or other formats. This is useful in situations where the designer wishes to keep some aspects of a design proprietary, but still make other design details available. With SolidView’s SFX files, an engineer can email a new design with dimensions and notes showing how the component is to be interfaced to the recipients equipment. Without the proper password, the recipient will not be able to measure other features of the design, even though they can rotate and view the design from any position.
Another benefit to using SFX files is that SolidView users can create and distribute free SolidPlayer software that allows anyone with a Windows PC to view and, if authorized, measure SFX files. This makes it possible for a purchasing agent, for example, to send a complete 3D representation of a design to a prospective supplier, without the need for the prospective supplier to purchase any CAD or viewing software. With SolidView 3.0’s new 2D capability, the purchasing manager can now include all the 2D drawing information in the SFX file, eliminating the need to send any hardcopy information.
Also new in SolidView 3.0 are collaborative engineering features that make it easy for multiple users to communicate and resolve design issues. These author registration and navigation features make it possible for anyone, regardless of their location, to efficiently identify, review, and resolve design issues over the Internet or company Intranet.
SolidView 3.0 includes a new option for directly importing VDA-FS data. The VDA Surface Data Interface, commonly known as VDA-FS, is the German standard for transfer of surface data between dissimilar CAD/CAM systems. It was developed by the Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA), the German Automobile Manufacturers Association. It is a German National Standard published as DIN 66301. With this import option, SolidView 3.0 users can directly import, view, and measure VDA-FS data.
SolidView 3.0 includes support for assembly structures imported via VRML files. Users can view the assembly structure and selectively show and hide elements within the structure.
Introduced in 1995 and with over 2000 seats installed, SolidView has quickly become the standard for the communication and high-performance visualization of 3D mechanical designs on low-cost Windows computers. Since SolidView uses industry-standard STL and VRML files, which are easily generated from all popular CAD systems, SolidView makes it possible to view 3D designs on a Windows PC, regardless of their source. SolidView’s exclusive publishing feature enables users to send a free viewer along with their designs, making it possible to communicate designs with organizations that have not purchased SolidView. In addition to reading STL and VRML 1.0 files, SolidView also allows users to view 3D Face information in DXF format as well as OBJ files generated from various concept modeling systems. An IGES import option is also available to allow users to view and measure IGES surface data.
SolidView 3.0 runs on any 486 or Pentium PC with 8Mb or more RAM and Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or Windows NT. SolidView software for viewing, measuring and publishing 3D information is available in North America for $495. IGES and VDA-FS input options are an additional $495 each.
All existing SolidView 2.0 and 2.1 customers can upgrade any single-user license to SolidView 3.0 for only $148, as long as they purchase their upgrade before May 1, 1998. Network licenses may be upgraded for $296 per license before May 1, 1998. Starting May 1, 1998, single-user upgrades will be $198 per license and network upgrades will be $396 per license. Prospective users can download a trial version of SolidView 3.0 from the Solid Concepts web site at http://www.solidconcepts.com. Numerous sample files are also available from the Solid Concepts web site. A free demonstration CD-ROM can be obtained by calling Solid Concepts toll-free at 1-888-SOLIDVU (1-888-765-4388).
Solid Concepts Inc. is the world’s leading supplier of third-party software for the rapid prototyping industry and is a recognized leader in rapid prototyping and manufacturing. Founded in 1991, the Company has enjoyed tremendous growth, fueled by a commitment to service and constant technical innovation. Solid Concepts Inc. is a privately held corporation headquarted in Valencia, California.