Software soars

NDES '98 filled Chicago's McCormick Place with the latest and greatest from the world of design engineering. Here's a sampling, starting with software. Ashlar Inc. announced the release of Vellum Solids, a hybrid modeling program. This CAD software is based on ACIS solids modeling engine 4.0 and employs Vellum Solids to combine the power of wireframe, surface, and solids modeling ...Invention Machine Corp. premiered TechOptimizer(TM) 3.0 professional edition software, which integrates the functionality of TechOptimizer 2.5 professional edition and the knowledge base of IM-Phenomenon(TM), a computer software tool for the automatic creation of scientific and engineering ideas ...Unigraphics Solutions (the result of the merger of EDS and Intergraph Software) launched Solid Edge 5.0, the first Parasolid-based version of the product. ...SolidWorks introduced SolidWorks 98, featuring new part and assembly modeling features, and more powerful drawing capabilities. ...SRAC introduced COSMOS/Works 4.0, which lets engineers perform analyses of complete SolidWorks assemblies ...In the Compaq booth, Parametric Technology Corp. demonstrated DesignWave 2.0. It features concurrent updates, a new Sketch Solver, and modeling improvements. ...Bentley Systems highlighted dynamic assembly modeling, a result of the integration of Mechanical Dynamics' ADAMS 3D constraint solver into Bentley's MicroStation Modeler ...IBM/Dassault Systemes previewed CATIA Version 5. With a single system scaleable architecture across both Windows NT and UNIX platforms, the package will enable the capture and reuse of design intent, process specifications, and intelligence ...MICROCADAM played host to Bob Ballard, Space Cruiser program manager at Vela Technology Development. Vela is using MICROCADAM's HELIX software to design the first space vehicle developed for people not payloads. ...Solid Concepts displayed SolidView 3.0, which enables anyone with a Windows PC to view, measure, and mark up CAD data ...CADKEY 97 Release 2 from Baystate Technologies offers advanced solid modeling without complex constraint tools, solid model creation and freeform editing, detailing productivity enhancements, and tablet support ...Visionary Design Systems unveiled IronCAD, a Windows-native 3D solid modeling package with drag-and-drop features that let users drag 3D data from graphical catalogs with or without parameterized deisgn intent ...The MacNeal-Schwendler Corp. debuted the first release of MSC/InCheck for Solid Edge. It includes stress, vibration, buckling, heat-transfer, and shape-optimization capabilities in a Windows interface ...Engineers wanting to do drop tests of their designs will find the capability in a new ANSYS release. The capability is the result of a joint effort between ANSYS and Livermore Software Corp.