CADKEY 97

CADKEY 97 features new ACIS solids modeling capabilities that provide both alternative and partnering approaches to wire-frame designing. Engineers will readily value CADKEY 97's ability to combine wire frame and solids design methods in one package without sacrificing functionality in either domain.

As an alternative approach, CADKEY Solids enables the user to construct 3-D parts directly from an assembly of primitive solids formed with various Boolean operators that, for example, simply add or subtract solids to form new solids. Solids may also be constructed from surfaces by extrude, sweep, and revolve operations. A dynamic rotation feature enables the user to rotate the part in real time for enhanced model creation and viewing. Finishing details such as fillets and chamfers can be readily added to solids by selecting the appropriate part edges and surfaces.

A temporary history database of all solids operations for a given part is maintained during the modeling session, allowing the user to undo/redo any command executed during the session. Mass property analysis can then be performed on completed solid part models. Solids may be transformed to wire-frame entities at any time.

Parts can also be modeled using CADKEY's 3-D wire-frame techniques. A vast array of entity types, modifications, transformations, and grouping features is available. New users will discover CADKEY's traditionally rich offering of entity-creation methods, making even complex geometries easier to create. Entity attributes such as line type are all user modifiable. Dimensioning and other detailing steps are easy to perform. Added dimensioning support is available with the Advanced Drafting Module, which provides ANSI geometric dimensioning and tolerancing symbols.

New to CADKEY 97 is a Layout Mode that will truly increase drafting efficiency. While parts are created in Model Mode, the Layout Mode enables engineers to create drawing instances of 3-D views and position them accordingly on part layout drawings in standard or user-defined size sheets. Using CADKEY's Picture-It application module, views may be rendered with hidden lines removed or included as dashed lines to create the appropriate drawing instances. Each drawing instance can then be dimensioned, aligned to other views, etc. to complete the part drawing.

Two types of associativity are included between Model and Layout Modes. Model-to-instance associativity lets the user return to Model Mode, change the part, and return to Layout Mode to find the active drawing instance automatically updated. Dimension-to-instance associativity updates the active drawing instance and its dimensions automatically. Once the wire frame is completed, it may be converted to a solid model through CADKEY Solids automatically.

Whether the CADKEY Solids, wire-frame, or combined modeling method is chosen, the user can easily convert a part design from one form to another. Although I found designing 3-D parts in CADKEY Solids to be substantially easier and more efficient, I was able to edit certain features quicker by converting from solid form to wire frame than by editing entirely in CADKEY Solids. Once I finished my modifications, CADKEY Solids quickly generated the updated solid.

Users can further boost design efficiency by using Immediate Mode Commands, Accelerator Keys, or macros. Multiple viewports can be displayed simultaneously, and all are automatically updated when changes are made. In addition to eight predefined views, construction planes can be generated as necessary to further assist part definition. Up to 256 levels are included and can be used to organize and display selected information.

CADKEY 97 demonstrates increased flexibility and productivity over previous versions. Companies contemplating an upgrade to a solids platform while requiring continued access to existing wire-frame databases should consider CADKEY 97's compatibility for wire frames and solids in one environment. CADKEY continues to provide powerful design tools, quality graphics, and ease of use in an affordably priced system.

  This review reflects the opinions of the reviewer, and not necessarily those of the United States government.

Spec box: CADKEY 97

CADKEY 97 requires an Intel-compatible 386, 486, or Pentium; minimum 30M bytes free disk space; 8M bytes RAM (16 recommended); and Windows 3.1, 95, or NT 3.51. For CADKEY 97 with Solids: 16M bytes RAM minimum (32 recommended), Windows 95 or NT only.

List Price: $1,195

Baystate Technologies,
33 Boston Post Rd. West,
Marlborough, MA 01752;
ph: (508) 229-2020;
www.cadkey.com

A similar product: AutoCAD
Autodesk, Inc.,
111 McInnis Parkway,
San Rafael, CA 94903,
ph: (415) 517-5000;
www.autodesk.com