CONTROL CONTROLS DESIGN

Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical. Autodesk code writers developed this CAD package specifically for designers of control systems. The developers unite AutoCAD with a wiring-diagram product that the software company acquired from Via Development. The product is fully integrated with the base AutoCAD. Among the features: the ability to do PLC-I/O creation from spreadsheets, which should cut design time. Additionally, AutoCAD Electric audits designs to check for errors. (www.autodesk.com) Enter 692

MARC THIS NASTRAN PACKAGE

MSC.Software MSC.Nastran. This is the first and only version of MSC.Nastran with fully integrated MSC.Marc nonlinear analysis capabilities as well as embedded flexible-body transfer between MSC.ADAMS and MSC.Nastran. This eliminates model re-creation and allows nonlinear simulation of native MSC.Nastran models. In addition, engineers can represent flexible bodies with pre-stress effects and include these automatically in an MSC.ADAMS system motion simulation. MSC.Nastran 2004 also features new power spectral density response types and loading that can be used to optimize the behavior of vehicle design for noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics. www.mscsoftware.com Enter 693

FAST TRACK

SolidWorks 2004. More than 3,000 beta users played with this latest release from SolidWorks before the company finalized the product. And they had a lot to play with: New features for weldments, including automatic cut lists; mold automation, including undercut and thickness detection as well as tools for smooth surfacing; "real view" from the SolidWorks partnership with Invidia, which gives a real-life look at a product in real time; and a 10x performance enhancement from, among other things, making the product easier to use. Developers say users can open a 6,000-part assembly in a few seconds. www.solidworks.com Enter 694