Enhancements Include New Mechanical and Architectural Features, Improved Modeling, and Greater Interoperability
"TurboCAD v.12 is definitely our best version yet," said Bob Mayer, Executive Vice President of Precision Design. "Improved interoperability, enhanced parametric architectural tools, and improved 3D modeling make this a highly desirable solution for professional designers. We are especially proud of the revamped Part Tree, which now effectively makes TurboCAD Professional a fully parametric design tool for the mechanical design market," added Mayer.
TurboCAD Professional v.12 delivers the most significant improvements ever packed into a TurboCAD upgrade. New and improved tools for 2D drafting and 3D modeling deliver new possibilities in mechanical and architectural design. Improvements in rendering and the new support of LightWorks(R) Archives result in even better visualization capabilities. And new, adjustable tool palettes, context sensitive tools, and intuitive work flow combine to increase productivity.
"We are delighted that this new release of TurboCAD has taken advantage of the latest LightWorks functionality," commented Clive Davies, Partner Programme Manager at LightWork Design. He added, "In particular, the ability to use LightWorks Archive materials (LWA) will allow TurboCAD users to access the growing number of high quality digital materials in the LWA format. Our experience has been that this will help users to render better images even faster."
What's New and Improved
-- Redesigned "part-tree" for quick, easy parametric modeling and editing
-- New context sensitive tools that eliminate unnecessary prompts and
options
-- Improved fully customizable user interface with innumerable user
preferences
-- New horizontal and vertical constraints, improved parallel plane
constraint
-- Improved properties palette for editing using data entry and menu
options
-- New ability to create parametric doors and windows and to drag and drop
them directly into the walls of a 3D drawing
-- LightWorks(R) 7.5 rendering engine with LightWorks Archive support
-- Ability to apply material properties to individual facets of the same
object and preview blends before committing to them.
-- New Point Marker tool allows automatic numbering of objects such as
rooms, doors or windows
-- Updated ACIS(R) v15 solid modeling engine
-- "Flicker free" rendered views while moving, rotating and zooming
-- "Pre-cache" rendering for faster 3D previews
-- Simplified, on screen, text editing of 2D and 3D text
-- Improved rigid and normal sweeps, including simple extrudes
-- Improved materials editor for creating custom, photo-realistic
materials and surfaces
Enhanced Mechanical Design
TurboCAD Professional v.12 now lets the user apply material properties to individual facets of the same object and preview blends before committing to them. More geometric constraints have been added to improve the relationship between 2D constraints and the resulting 3D derived designs. And a rebuilt Part Tree now gives a more complete view of part's history and parameters. Additional mechanical enhancements include:
-- New: ability to define horizontal and vertical constraints
-- New: ability to blend previews and one click selection for edge
blending
-- Improved: redesigned "part-tree" for quick, easy parametric modeling
and editing
-- Improved: ability to create automatic and precise tangencies where
splines meet other objects
-- Improved: ability to define constraints for objects in parallel planes
with just one click.
-- Improved: ability to apply different materials to different facets of
the same object
Enhancements in Architectural Drafting
TurboCAD Professional v.12 now includes the ability to create parametric doors and windows and to drag and drop them directly into the walls of a 3D drawing. It also allows the selection of the specific properties of each object, including frames, hinges and knobs. TurboCAD will even automatically generate the appropriate symbol for the 2D version of the drawing. Further architectural enhancements include:
-- New: Point Marker tool allows the automatic numbering of objects such
as rooms, doors or windows and is great for creating legends, call
outs, or simply mapping points and adding notes to drawings
-- New: support of LightWorks Archives of brand-name interior and exterior
materials
-- New: three options for displaying fractional dimensions (stacked,
diagonal, in-line)
New Add-on Modules
A specialized "Mechanical Pack" and "Architectural Pack" will, for the first time, be available for purchase with TurboCAD v.12, that will allow users in specific disciplines to further enhance their design capabilities. Highlights of the Mechanical Pack include new bending, facet offset and hole tools, as well as a fully parametric and editable Part Tree and additional geometric constraints.
The "Architectural Pack" features additional parametric window and door designs and styles, a profile editing tool for customizing windows and doors, and an updated Architectural tutorial which takes users through the process of creating a full set of architectural house plans.
The Architectural and Mechanical Packs are available at a retail price of $69.95 each.
Interoperability & PDF
TurboCAD continues its strong commitment to interoperability by using the latest Open Drawing Alliance(R) file libraries, allowing users access to over 30 of the most popular industry-standard file formats, including AutoCAD's DWG and DXF, DesignCAD's DCD, MicroStation(R) DGN, 3DS, IGES, STEP and STL. A newly added feature also supports the import and export of 3D files to and from DWF format. Users can now publish designs into PNG and GIF file formats with included Alpha Channel for transparent backgrounds. DXF, DWG and DGN input and output filters have also been updated in TurboCAD v.12. TurboCAD's improved PDF file export features now let users export paper spaces, including rendered Viewports, customize PDF fonts, True Type, SHX, paper widths, and paper heights sections.
New Interface Options
TurboCAD's customizable tool environment now lets the user display only those tools that are needed, freeing up valuable screen space for designing. TurboCAD's new, context sensitive tools eliminate unnecessary prompts and steps by making intelligent assumptions about desired outcomes, resulting in increased speed and productivity in all aspects of drafting and design.
Improved Artistic and Presentations Tools
TurboCAD now offers even more ways to enhance drawings. A new reflected gradient fill effect, color transparency support, new environments and an ability to combine multiple materials and their effects into a single material, all allow for creation of more stunning and realistic drawings.
TurboCAD Professional v.12 includes a complete Software Development Kit (SDK) which now has XML-based definitions.
TurboCAD Professional v12 has a suggested retail price of $895 and will be available for purchase after March 22nd. Please contact IMSI for upgrade pricing and purchase -- 800-833-8082
About IMSI
Founded in 1982, IMSI has established a tradition of providing the professional and home user with innovative technology and easy-to-use, high- quality software products at affordable prices. Best known for its flagship product, TurboCAD(R) (
www.turbocad.com), IMSI continues to be a leading developer and distributor of precision design and consumer software solutions. IMSI also owns and operates Houseplans(TM) (
www.Houseplans.com ), focused on expanding its network of Web properties to serve the rapidly growing market for the sale of stock house plans on-line and related home building services. More information about IMSI can be found at
www.imsisoft.com .
