Solid Concepts Announces Immediate Availability Of SolidView 2004

Latest release of the leading integrated 2D/3D View and Markup Software includes new sectioning features as well as updated interfaces to the latest CAD systems.

VALENCIA, California - February 18, 2004

VALENCIA, CA - February 18, 2004-Solid Concepts Inc., the leading supplier of integrated 2D/3D View and Markup software, announced today the immediate availability of Version 2004 of the SolidView® family of low-cost, view and markup solutions that enable non-CAD users to easily view and evaluate complex designs. The SolidView family of products includes SolidView/Lite, a free 3D CAD viewer, SolidView, SolidView/Pro, and SolidView/Pro RP. Version 2004 includes several new enhancements designed to make it easier for non-CAD users to view, measure and communicate complex designs and assemblies without the need for expensive and confusing 2D drawings.

"SolidView Version 2004 is an important milestone in that it greatly extends the range of designs that can be easily interrogated," said Pete Philippis, Solid Concepts' product development manager for SolidView. "The new CAD interfaces included in V2004 make it possible to view complex designs and assemblies, and the new sectioning and assembly manipulation tools make it easier to extract virtually any measurement."

According to Philippis, most CAD systems and viewers are not designed for use by people without an extensive CAD training. "CAD systems are primarily designed to allow engineers and designers to create and modify geometry, so viewing and measuring features are often incomplete and difficult to use. Most viewers are essentially 'stripped down' CAD systems, so many of the same flaws still exist. SolidView was designed from the ground up to be a viewing and measuring tool for non-CAD users, so important features were incorporated from the very beginning. For example, in measuring distances between components in an assembly, it's often necessary to select components from different points of view. Most viewers address this problem, if at all, by showing multiple concurrent views. While some CAD users might be comfortable with this approach, most non-CAD users find it difficult and confusing. With SolidView, we simply allow the user to change the view at any time, even in the middle of measurement," said Philippis.

Changes in SolidView V2004 include:

• Updated CAD interfaces for SolidWorks, Pro/E, ACIS, SolidEdge, DWG/DXF, and Parasolid
• Optional support for SolidWorks drawings in SLDDRW format
• New section view definition features, including arbitrary section views
• Advanced assembly viewing controls
• New modification tools to make it easier to move and rotate components, sub-assemblies and assemblies.

Existing customers with a maintenance agreement or who are still under their initial warranty period will receive the V2004 upgrade at no additional cost. Special upgrade pricing for other SolidView/Pro and SolidView/Pro RP users is available through June 30, 2004. For details, please visit www.solidview.com.

Potential customers can download a free trial copy of any SolidView product at www.solidview.com.

About Solid Concepts Inc.

Solid Concepts Inc. is a supplier of rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing services. Founded in 1991, Solid Concepts is a five-facility, multiple technology company known to be a solutions provider with project management and engineering expertise. Capabilities in Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Advanced Cast Urethanes, CNC and FRP rapid prototypes and custom manufactured parts allows for low-volume production of plastic, urethane, and metal components directly from design data, resulting in significant time and cost savings. Tooling and Molding capabilities bring customer projects through to completion. ISO 9001 and AS9100 certifications.

SolidView is a registered trademark of Solid Concepts Inc. Other names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

• SolidView
  SolidView® software allows you to view, rotate, measure and communicate design intent with non-CAD users—starting with our free 3D CAD viewer—SolidView/Lite.
• SLA & PolyJet
  SLA® & PolyJet™ provide accurate concept models and master patterns in record time. Complete in-house finishing capability for production-like prototypes.
• SLS
  SLS® (selective laser sintering) produces rugged Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 prototype and production parts and is ideally suited for Direct Digital Manufacturing.
• FDM
  FDM (fused deposition modeling) produces both prototype and production parts from ABS plastic, polycarbonate, and Ultem materials.
• CNC
  CNC prototypes, parts and master patterns are ideal in applications where the material property or size requirements make other prototyping techniques unsuitable.
• Cast Urethane
  Cast Urethane (a proprietary advanced casting technology and advanced formula polymers) produce strong pre-production and short-run production components.
• Composites
  Composites (fiber reinforced plastic) technology produces large, rigid, accurate panels with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and surface finish. Chose between CompositeCast™, Hand Lay-up FPR and VARTM.
• Tooling
  Tooling from Solid Concepts provides quick-turn tooling options for Chinese tooling & production, export tooling from China, and domestic tooling, all with domestic project management.
• Molding
  Injection Molding from Solid Concepts brings you the best of both worlds by providing Chinese pricing and lead times along with Solid Concepts quality and domestic project management.