So, whether you agree or disagree with Ms. Herron's definitions, comment on them. Consistent understanding and common language are huge steps forward for the CAD industry as a whole and its millions of practitioners. After all, in the end shouldn't the deliverable of a 3D design be a 3D model, and not a 2D drawing? Will these concepts and definitions take hold in the CAD community at large? It's really hard to say, but I definitely think it's a step in the right direction and a long overdue one at that - 3D in and 3D out.



The Week's Top MCAD News

At MCADCafé we track many things, including the stories that have attracted the most interest from our subscribers. Below are the news items that were the most viewed during last few weeks.

Dassault Systèmes Forming Americas Campus in Greater Boston Area
Dassault Systèmes has signed a long term lease for 320,000 square feet of new office, technology lab and data center space in 175 Wyman Street and 185 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA. This is the largest lease transaction in Greater Boston in 2010. Dassault Systèmes will move here to create its new Americas corporate campus. Dassault Systèmes, whose software brands include CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULA, SOLIDWORKS, 3DVIA and EXALEAD, has outgrown existing facilities in Concord and Lowell, MA and will be expanding into this showcase campus for its combined workforce. They are scheduled to move into all of 175 Wyman Street totaling 211,741 square feet in mid-2011, and may grow into 185 Wyman Street thereafter. The Waltham location will initially accommodate 800 employees. Dassault Systèmes' current real estate portfolio consists of its global corporate headquarters in Velizy, France, approximately 40 locations throughout North and South Americas, and numerous other offices around the world.

Siemens PLM Software's New Machine Design Solution Provides Comprehensive Mechatronics Design Capabilities
Siemens PLM Software announced a new integrated machine design solution aimed at creating value for companies that develop and market machine tools and production machines. Mechatronics Concept Designer represents a paradigm shift for the industry with a new systems engineering approach to machine design that captures and, manages early requirements and facilitates the simultaneous definition and simulation of the complex mechanical, electrical and automation software found in today's machine tools. With an interactive simulation capability based on “gaming” technology, Mechatronics Concept Designer can help significantly reduce development time and improve product quality for the machine design industry. Mechatronics Concept Designer, which is based on Siemens PLM Software's flagship computer-aided design application NX software and works in conjunction with its Teamcenter, was announced at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS).

SME to Acquire Tooling U to Become Worlds Leading Provider of Manufacturing Knowledge
Creating a powerhouse in manufacturing work force development, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and Tooling University LLC (Tooling U) announced they have signed a definitive agreement for SME to acquire all outstanding shares of Tooling U, a leading provider of online training for the manufacturing industry. The move is an important step in SME's strategy to become the unquestioned leader of content development and delivery, addressing the global and growing need for skilled labor. The substantial resources of SME's certification products, in-person training and webinar offerings will be combined with Tooling U's online training platform and more than 400 courses to provide the global manufacturing community with a comprehensive source of manufacturing knowledge. Educating the current and future manufacturing work force is critical for the health and growth of the manufacturing industry. The closing of the transaction is expected at the end of September, and at that time, SME will be the sole shareholder. Tooling U's online training complements SME's highly regarded in-person training and certification programs to create a flexible, on-demand, customized and content-rich blended learning solution.

Dassault Systèmes 3DVIA Introduces 3D Model Viewer for the iPad
Dassault Systèmes announced 3DVIA Mobile HD, an interactive 3D model viewer for the iPad. With 3DVIA Mobile HD for the iPad, users can access, view and interact with thousands of high-quality models hosted on the 3DVIA.com content warehouse with the swipe of a finger. Unlike other 3D model viewers, 3DVIA Mobile HD allows users of most 3D modeling software packages to connect to 3DVIA.com and share their work on the iPad platform. Users follow a simple three-step process: create a free 3DVIA.com account, upload 3D assets to the site, then connect with 3DVIA Mobile HD to showcase assets on the iPad. 3DVIA.com accepts content in over 30 formats, including 3DXML, .dae (COLLADA), .3ds, .obj, IGES, STEP and .kmz. Select modeling applications from Dassault Systèmes, including 3DVIA Composer, SolidWorks and CATIA, now publish directly to 3DVIA.com, making the process even easier. 3DVIA Mobile HD for iPad is available on the App Store for a limited time at $1.99 USD. After this time, it will be available for $4.99 USD. For more information, visit http://www.3dvia.com/mobile/. Key features of 3DVIA Mobile HD include:

• Interactive 3D viewer: pan, zoom and inspect models with intuitive iPad finger movements;
• Integrated 3DVIA 3D model search: search, download and view over 20,000 3D models published to 3DVIA.com;
• Compatibility with popular 3D formats: read and view 3D assets that you upload to 3DVIA.com in many popular formats, including .dae (COLLADA), .3ds, .obj, .iges, .step, .kmz, .3DXML, and many more;
• Save and export 2D renderings (images) to Facebook and e-mail;
• Private publishing on 3D models: restrict access to sensitive product information by publishing to your private account; and
• Interact with the 3DVIA.com community: comment on and rate 3D models from the iPad.

Jeffrey Rowe is the editor of MCADCafé and MCAD Weekly Review. He can be reached at Email Contact or 719.221.1867.


Product and Company News

Manufacturing Technology Consumption Up 58.9% in 2010

PE-WALLCHECK - Wall Thickness Analysis for Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5 and Windows 7

Autodesk Extends Inventor Publisher to Mobile Devices

American Italian Pasta Company Rolls Out Aras Enterprise Open Source PLM for Recipe Management

Android and iPhone Applications Developed for Aras Enterprise Open Source PLM

Autodesk Offers Students Free Three-Year Software Licenses

Ten Questions to Ask PLM Solution Suppliers A New White Paper from CIMdata

PLMIG Announces "PLM in the USA" Open Discussion

ZPrinting Helps Lab Identify POW/MIA Remains

Domespace Chooses SolidWorks Software As Foundation of New Online System for Designing Eco-Friendly Homes

Majenta Solutions awarded contract by Jaguar Land Rover for the supply of Autodesk Alias Surface software

InnovMetric Software's Web Site Offers New Section Reviewing 3D Digitizing Hardware

Bringing the Smart Grid Home with Help from SolidWorks

Uncover What's New in SolidWorks 2011

Scania Improves Its Product Development With Support From Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions

Autodesk Signs on as National Sponsor of Cleantech Open

Dassault Systèmes DraftSight Now Available for Mac OS

Blue Ridge Numerics Launches CFD-University

Dassault Systèmes : AgustaWestland Chooses V6 for Production and Supplier Collaboration Excellence

Equipment Designed with Autodesk Inventor Enhances Mine Safety and Productivity



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-- Jeff Rowe, MCADCafe.com Contributing Editor.