CADDIT CAD CAM CNC Software Blog

Alibre 2012 Now Released - Overview

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:23:21 PST

Alibre 2012 was released recently on CADDIT Australia. Alibre is an affordable, easy-to-use 3D CAD software for mechanical design of parts, assemblies and design drawings. Files from SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor and other mechanical design software can also be used in Alibre. Alibre is best known for its low cost and simplicity: users can easily create complex 3D CAD designs for the fraction of the cost of other systems.

Alibre 2012 offers a completely reworked graphical user interface, with a style similar to other Windows 7 productivity applications. New tools have been added for surfacing, sketching, relations and more. .

Alibre Design introduced in-place editing last release, as an enhancement in 2D drafting. This year, in-place editing toolbars have been introduced for part modelling, notably for sketch creation. In-place editing greatly improves speed-of-interface by reducing mouse travel for each command, and need to manually change toolbars. Alibre Design 2012 also lets you project sketches to other sketches, letting you reuse the work you've already done in new features.

Two major enhancements have been included for surface modelling. Surfaces may now be pasted directly from either MoI (free with Alibre Design Expert) or Rhino CAD. A complete new toolset for surface manipulation includes commands for Split Surface, Trim Surface, Stitch, Convert Solid to Surface, Create Surface from Face, and Delete Face.

2D mechanical drafting enhancements include support for multiple leaders from a single annotation, more flexible hatching, improved drafting geometry constraints and border selection for notations. .

Other general improvements include the placement of InterDesign relations in Alibre Design's feature tree and secondary cuts for sheet metal parts. For a free 30 day trial of the new Alibre 2012 - either as Windows XP 32-bit or Windows 7 64-bit native application - download Alibre 2012 HERE.

CADDIT has been supporting Alibre Design products in Australia since 2008. For more information about Alibre Design in Australia, contact CADDIT.net HERE.

progeCAD 2011 Released with New Architectural Options

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:19:57 PDT

progeCAD 2011 Professional has been released on CADDIT, with a twist: three new modules for architects. progeCAD is already a low-cost design tool of choice by architects and designers for its reliability and strong compatibility with the well-known AutoCAD solution from Autodesk in the USA. For years progeCAD software has supported advanced AutoCAD-like drafting commands for layouts, blocks, rendering, 3D boolean modelling, PDF and XML publishing and more.

Experienced progeCAD users will immediately notice that progeCAD's former 10000 block symbol library ALE has been replaced with the new iCADlib manager which has been extended to over 20,000 CAD symbols. iCADlib includes integrated keyword-category search and access to dozens of up-to-date CAD symbols via online access to a new progeCAD/Traceparts library.

Specific to architectural design, progeCAD is introducing two new products. EasyArch is a free collection of editable 2D macros for doors, windows, walls, stairs and other architectural elements commonly used in house and building design. EasyArch features the ability to dynamically insert and trim walls with common predefined blocks of architectural symbols such as windows and doors with parameters for easy dimensioning and attribute definition. Here is an example of the dialogue box for editing a staircase drawn with EasyArch:

Also in testing at CADDIT is also progeCAD Architecture - a complete 3D parametric BIM building design package for progeCAD. Some YouTube demonstrations of progeCAD architecture have been made available at http://www.youtube.com/user/pCADArchitecture. We are currently evaluating its suitability for Australian design requirements and would welcome individual requests to give the test version a go.

progeCAD 2011 Professional can be downloaded from CADDIT for a full 30 day trial at THIS LINK.

CADDIT is offering a 15% discount to all progeCAD upgrades purchased in the next 30 days until 1 September 2011. Our 15% upgrade discount includes all progeCAD Professional, progeCAD USB and progeCAD Network licenses. CADDIT is an international CAD/CAM/PLM software partner based in Sydney Australia. CADDIT can be contacted via any of the details posted at THIS LINK.

Free Upgrade to progeCAD 2011 Windows. CAD for MAC Released.

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Tue, 24 May 2011 23:43:57 PDT

25 May 2011 Sydney time - CADDIT has announced the upcoming release of progeCAD 2011 for June-July timeframe. As of 25 May 2011 Sydney timezone, all new licenses and upgrades purchased of progeCAD 2010 Professional for Microsoft Windows, including progeCAD USB, Network NLM and Office license options, will receive a free upgrade to the new version of progeCAD 2011 for Windows upon its release, at no additional charge. This offer also includes all users who upgrade progeCAD now from an older version or from another older CAD package. This promotion does not include progeCAD Standard, and will conclude at the announcement of progeCAD 2011 release.

Over four years in development and planning, progeCAD 2011 for Windows is a largely re-written product from the ground up. progeCAD 2011 is a milestone release as regards compatibility to AutoCAD and other design products. progeCAD 2011 longer stores DWG/DXF using the old internal ITC database, rather is built directly on Teigha® DRX. This dramatically improves file performance (read/write speeds, etc). Although ITC SDS modules will still be supported for some time, progeCAD 2011 is the first generation offering developer access to a genuine DRX C++ API.

progeCAD is a trusted name for many companies looking for reasonably-priced CAD software for working with AutoCAD DWG files, plan view drawing, fixture plumbing and electrical layout and other design work. A free download of progeCAD is available at this LINK.

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No AutoCAD LT for MAC? Try iCADMac from CADDIT.

CADDIT has announce the availability of iCADMac in Australia and New Zealand. iCADMac is the low cost 2D/ 3D DWG and DXF CAD alternative for MAC users. Concurrent with AutoCAD commands, iCADMac opens, saves and edits direct AutoCAD® native DWG files. It is a user friendly 2D/3D CAD software using a conventional-style OS/X interface. Due to iCADMac's high level of compatibility with AutoCAD it is ideal for design professionals like architects, commercial draftsmen, land and planning surveyors, structural detailing and building designers, kitchen and bath modelers, engineers and others who use Apple computers for their work.

iCADmac offers features to make it a complete primary CAD package with hundreds of commands for 2D design and 3D modeling. These features include full geometry set of lines, arcs, splines, text, dimensions, hatches and other entities. PDF import and export makes data exchange with graphic artists easier. Tables and cells can be used for bills of materials, component lists, revisions and text to organize and manage information within your drawings. iCADMac can insert, edit and clip Raster images (scanned images, photos, images from the Internet, etc.). in a drawing; iCADMac supports jpeg, bmp, gif, and png image formats with added support for polygonal image cropping. ACIS 3D solids support allows for the direct construction of complex 3D models in your CAD drawing. The newly updated iCADMac 26 April release now includes iCADlib (the new CAD block library with 20,000 blocks), Traceparts access, and several fixes related to printing and file access.

MAC users can sign up for a free 30 day full-function iCADMac demo at this LINK. Micrsoft Windows users should consider downloading progeCAD instead. iCADMac pricing is available from CADDIT.net.

SolidWorks Alternative in Australia

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:05:27 PDT

SolidWorks, Inventor and Solid Edge are just some examples of legacy 3D CAD solutions supported by Alibre Translate - a feature available with Alibre Design Expert at no additional cost. For those not familiar with Alibre, Alibre is an easy-to-use low cost parametric 3D CAD system mainly for mechanical engineering design of parts, assemblies, sheet metal and more. Alibre Translate (Now free with Alibre Design Expert) not only offers direct Solidworks file import of .sldprt and Solidworks .sldasm assemblies, but also Autodesk Inventor .ipt and .iam files, Solid Edge files and much more.

Alibre easily handles large SolidWorks assemblies like this laptop computer

SolidWorks users should have little trouble understanding Alibre's straight-forward solid modelling and assembly design interfaces. feature sketch, extrusion, subtraction, shelling, draft, lofting are all functions also supported in Alibre Design. Alibre Design Expert adds non-parametric (direct) editing techniques commonly found in systems costing several times more than Alibre Design Expert (less than AUD $1500 in Australia - see prices here). Expert also includes Keyshot photo-rendering and Moi 3D surfacing software at no additional cost.

Alibre also offers fully integrated CNC software for 2.5-axis, 3 4 and 5-axis milling machines. Alibre CAM basic comes free with Alibre Design Expert, offering as the name indicates basic 2.5-axis milling from within the Alibre interface. A full comparison of Alibre CAM options are shown HERE. Solidworks users can also import their SolidWorks model into Alibre CAM for manufacturing.

Alibre Design is an easy, inexpensive and intuitive option for SolidWorks users. Although Alibre 2D detailing and drafting environment is quite comprehensive, Alibre also integrates well with advanced 2D CAD drafting solutions like Autodesk AutoCAD or progeCAD, a low-cost AutoCAD clone. A free 30-day trial of Alibre Design can be requested directly from CADDIT Australia by following the links and downloading HERE.

iCADmac "CAD for Mac" Released on CADDIT

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 05:56:24 PST

CAD on MAC OS/X (Version 10 or 'X' of the Apple operating System) is back. AutoCAD for Mac was (re)announced in August 2010. However, the cost of AutoCAD on Mac (several thousand dollars) makes this new option unviable for some small business looking for CAD software for Mac. As a low cost alternative to more expensive CAD on Mac systems, CADDIT will begin to offer the iCADMac product line from progeSOFT.

iCADMac "CAD for Mac" features include:

Native Mac OS/X CAD software - no Boot Camp, VMware Fusion or Parallels virtualization required.
Similar user interface to what some CAD for Mac users are already accustomed.
Read and Write AutoCAD .dwg CAD files, edit and print.
Convert PDF in to CAD / Print to PDF out from CAD
Raster image modification tools for use in CAD drawings
3D solid modeling using the same ACIS libraries as licensed by AutoCAD
Table and cell support used for bills of materials, component lists and more.
Advanced interface for gradient hatching, entity property bar etc
ALE symbol library including ready 15.000 Blocks for use in your drawing
AutoLISP and ODA DRX C++ programming support
Permanent perpetual license
12 Months free upgrade maintenance with new license with option to renew

CADDIT will be offering an AUD$175 discount to RRP pricing until 22 April. Architects, engineers, technicians and other CAD users looking for "CAD for Mac" will also enjoy free upgrades to additional functionality released in the iCADMac product for 12 months from the date of purchase. iCADmac can be downloaded for a free for a 30 day trial HERE. Questions about iCADMac in Australia and New Zealand should be directed to CADDIT here.

Note for Windows users - those looking for a reliable, low-cost 2D / 3D design solution on Microsoft Windows should download progeCAD for Windows HERE.

Alibre 2011 Update with New MoI Surfacing Software

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:36:46 PST

Alibre Design 2011 was first released in late 2010 offering a number of important new features:

Alibre's first native 64-bit version
New "in-place editing" UI framework
New MIRROR and SCALE modelling commands
On-the-fly library creation
Direct 3D Solid->SheetMetal conversion

MoI:
In addition to these new features, Alibre Design Expert user licenses sold after 2 December 2010 are now entitled to get MoI - Moment of Inspiration - freeform surfacing software. At this point the best link between MoI and Alibre itself seems to be using STEP data, although ACIS SAT and IGES are also offered by MoI (the IGES interface seemed to loose the most data in our lab test, but we were expecting that). One major advantage MoI offers is a "point-and-click" workflow that doesn't require use of special ALT-key combinations, which makes it perhaps more practical for use on tablet PCs.

KeyShot for Alibre:
"KeyShot for Alibre - Basic" is new realtime photorealistic rendering software offered with Alibre Design Professional and Alibre Design Expert. The updated capabilities of KeyShot for Alibre (formerly "KeyShot for CAD") are outlined in this brochure, and summarized in the chart provided below:

	*KeyShot for Alibre Edition Basic* (shipped w/ Pro & Expert)**	KeyShot for Alibre Edition (optional)
Max Real-time Resolution	1024x768 pixels		1920x1080 pixels
Max Non Real-time Resolution	N/A		2500x1600 pixels
Render with alpha channel	No		Yes
Extra Control over Render settings	No		Yes

It is worth noting that, although Alibre Design is now available as a native AMD64 bit application (Windows 7 compatible) many of the Alibre add-ons such as Alibre CAM and Alibre Motion are not yet. The 32-bit version Alibre add-ons will not work with Alibre 64-bit software and require Alibre 32-bit to install and run. However there seems little problem in running Alibre 32-bit version on a 64-bit PC now. Since the first major release of Alibre's latest version of their easy-to-use 3D CAD system, a few minor bugfix updates have also been made available and the latest version of Alibre can be downloaded HERE.

PTC Creo Announced for Project Lightning

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:36:18 PST

Parametric Technology Corporation announced "creo, a PTC Product" at the at the Park Plaza Castle in Boston USA last week. "creo" is the name given to the overall design platform of PTC product development tools for "the next twenty years". According to PTC CEO Jim Heppelmann, creo "is the Latin root of the word create and... means I think, I create, I believe". Creo is slated as successor to the long-successful Pro/ENGINEER product line.

The new PTC Creo design platform is more than a new CAD program. Creo is a completely redeveloped design software framework that delivers a seamless and uniform design interface for modelling, drawing, simulation, detailing, manufacturing and other applications. Creo will accomplish this by means of a common data model capable of merging design information in from multiple design modes - not just parametric. With Creo, PTC answers four ongoing pain issues widespread in product development industries today:

Ease of use for casual users and non-CAD personell
Interoperability to use CAD files from any given CAD program
Switching costs caused by migrating data from other CAD software
high-level configuration driven design with multiple variations

PTC Creo will answer these problems respectively via the four cornerstone technologies upon which new Creo applications are built:

AnyRole Apps - scalable, easy and "role specific" applications for all types of users
AnyMode Modeling - seamless data portability across multiple CAD drawing modes
AnyData Adoption - enables direct CAD file editing in Creo from any CAD system
AnyBOM Assembly - drive 3D CAD assembly configurations using Windchill PLM - watch THIS...

The full event can be watched HERE. What I find interesting about AnyMode Assembly is PTC's departure from today's typical large-CAD business rhetoric, insisting that all CAD users are best served using in-depth 3D design mode tools. In observation, Brian Shepherd Executive Vice President, PTC Product Development stated "some users... are best served working in a 2D mode." He went on to say "We don't need a religious zeal around converting from one mode to another. We're about any mode."

PTC has an initial release target of summer 2011 for the new "Creo, a PTC product". CAD users are encouraged to keep their PTC maintenance current and active, so as to be in best position to enjoy these new technologies when they are released. For more information in Australia about either PTC Pro/ENGINEER or next year's new Creo platform, feel free to contact CADDIT here.

progeCAD Free to Schools

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 06:42:39 PDT

progeCAD is a powerful but low-cost architectural or mechanical design package, somewhat similar to AutoCAD from Autodesk. progeCAD features include Autodesk's DWG format read/write for all versions of AutoCAD from 2010 and as far back as R11. Most of the basic commands are the same, workflow and interface all follow a similar logic. For years CADDIT Australia has been offering progeCAD Professional annual licenses to schools free of charge. One school in the New South Wales TAFE system wrote of progeCAD:

I personally consider that your company’s provision of this program for academic purposes, free of charge is the best thing that has happened to the CAD industry for a long time... I teach across a number of campuses in the Hunter and am trying to convince other sections to switch over from AutoCAD to ProgeCAD for teaching purposes. The benefits of allowing students to download the program and develop their skills at home at no cost cannot be underestimated, apart from the ethical aspect of positively discouraging the use of pirated AutoCAD software.

CSTC in Queensland Australia writes:

It is an exceptional program in the standards it allows students to apply to drawing - variety of linetypes, lineweights, hatchs patterns etc. We are enjoying using it, our trainees and apprentices appear to like the feel of it. Great program.

A few of CADDIT's academic program subscribers are from outside Australia. One school from overseas writes:

Since we only have a single, one-semester course that uses CAD, this offer CADDIT makes to license ProgeCAD to schools at no charge is a wonderful effort supporting education. Our students are able to gain experience with professional software and several have applied these skills in internships and subsequent educational experiences in vocational/technical programs and college. Without ProgeCAD's support, we would be forced to use some consumer-level software, as it would be extremely difficult to justify spending thousands of dollars to license professional CAD software for a lab that will be used with a single class of students.

Another student used the opportunity to submit a new concept for a local highway intersection to local planning authorities..
progeCAD can be downloaded free of cost HERE. For more information about how progeCAD can be used in your school, visit http://www.caddit.net/progecad/educational.php

Alibre Design 2011 - New Features

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:34:07 PDT

Alibre Design is one of Australia's most affordable mid-range 3d mechanical CAD solutions. Within the next several weeks Alibre 2011 is expected for release. This major release both adds new features as well as improving many existing ones. A crucial focus for Alibre Design 2011 has been improvement in efficiency and ease of use, including fully customizable keymaps and in-place editing. Developers may also be interested to know that much of Alibre is now written in the Microsoft C# programming language, which allows developers to add new features even faster than before. Here are a few of the many feature enhancements of the new Alibre 2011 version release:

Alibre Design 2011 will offer Alibre's first native 64-bit version, which basically means you can make larger, more complex assemblies and have more files open simultaneously, without the restrictions of older 32-bit operating systems and memory access. With the offering of a 64 bit version comes a tremendous increase in both what can be created in Alibre Design and the types of workflows people can use. Both Alibre Design Professional and Expert versions will be offered as 64-bit editions.

Direct 3D Solid->SheetMetal conversion will allow CAD designers to take ordinary 3d solid models or imported 3D files (like STEP or Parasolid) and automatically convert these into sheet metal parts that can be flattened and machined in Alibre CAM. Of course, the resulting sheet metal parts are fully associative to their original counterparts, so that if you change the original model, the associated sheet metal version will update automatically. The new solid to sheet metal conversion tool will only be offered with Alibre Design Expert edition.

Alibre Design 2011 will add new MIRROR and SCALE modelling commands. Alibre 2011 will offer a new "Double Intersect" sketch command that allows you to join two figures at their theoretical intersection. The tool has several modes, all completely transparent to you, which adapts to the types of figures and orientations that a designer encounters. Alibre 2011 will also make it possible to create libraries of your most commonly used hole types on the fly. Simply fill out the form, type a name, and press Create. The hole's parameters can now be recalled instantly via the Presets dropdown. Alibre 2011 will also offer a new multi-plane creation tool, which can be useful when drawing multiple solid loft profiles, etc.

Alibre will begin rolling out their new "in-place editing" UI framework with Alibre Design 2011. In-place editing takes floating toolbars and context menus much further by opening relevant toolbars and icons just by selecting entities. Any changes are immediately displayed in real time, and to close in-place editing toolbars, we simply move the mouse away from the entity we initially selected. Alibre Design 2011 will offer this framework first in its Detailed Drawing Workspace, but is eventually to be deployed in various forms throughout the product.

Until release, CADDIT will begin offering free upgrades to all new Alibre Design Expert users a free upgrade to Alibre Design Expert 2011 upon release - but while still at current sale prices for V12.1. Alibre is suitable for a wide variety of mechanical design projects, including machine design, fixture design, vehicle and product development, sheet metal products and more. A free full-version trial of the current Alibre Design software in Australia can be downloaded here. For further questions about Alibre products, CADDIT support can be contacted HERE.

CAD Software Update for progeCAD 2010 Users

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:09:35 PDT

CADDIT.net has released a new update of progeCAD 2010 10.0.10.8 for immediate download on their website. progeCAD is a low-cost compliment for AutoCAD from Autodesk, offering similar commands and editing AutoCAD DWG files but costing thousands less to buy. The progeCAD 10.0.10.8 update is free to all licensed progeCAD 2010 users and offers several key fixes that our users have requested, including these listed below:

For End Users:
Gradient hatch: improved visualization in printing
Improved performance when layouts have hidden or shaded viewports
ICAD.LSP continues loading even when reading ICAD.SDS fails
Fixed active layout in status bar opening a drawing on paper space
Last path used to open drawings is saved correctly
Fixed save of Dynamic blocks of DWG 2010 version
Fixed save of drawings containing Multileader and improved plot settings extraction
Fixed change of active DIMSTYLE in dialog
Changed reopen of property palette after print, to avoid conflict between print dialog and property palette
Fixed isolated crashes caused by certain entity displays
Fixed isolated crashes on Trim/Extend commands
Fixed problem of command typing with Windows 7 (Chinese Version)

For Developers:
Fixed 'send of message' to VBI workspaces

New Features:
Added Beta version of LispDefender (Lisp protection)
Added Proxy capability for both updater and registration

AutoCAD LT users are especially invited to try this latest release of progeCAD 2010. progeCAD offers several important features that AutoCAD LT does not, including 3D modelling and rendering, full programmability (C++, VBA, AutoLISP), multiple profile support, Network Licensing, DWG 14 export, Express Tools, Image Tools, advanced PDF printing and more. A free no-obligation trial of progeCAD Professional can be downloaded HERE.

Mathcad 15.0 Integration with Knovel Math

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:24:20 PDT

MathCAD 15.0 now integrates Knovel® Math for updated MathCAD Extended Libraries for Mechanical, Civil and Electrical engineering. Knovel Math offers MathCAD users fully documented engineering and math worksheets from trusted reference works which have been validated and quality tested. Transcribing equations for math calculations is often an extremely time consuming process. Knovel Math helps to speed up this process by quickly finding the required calculations, changing the input values in MathCAD and updating these instantly. Topics can be quickly searched and MathCAD enabled articles will be identified by the symbol . Articles are offered in both US Customary units and metric units for ease of use. Articles are opened in MathCAD with anything highlighted in green are the input values that can be changed and yellow highlighting indicates the output values which are updated instantly. MathCAD 14 users can also use the old Library Extensions from that version on MathCAD 15, as well.

How Does Knovel Benefit Mathcad 15 Users?
Active PTC Maintenance Support Customers have additional access to several other resources including Knovel. Members need to log into the website http://www.ptc.com/support/maintenance/gold/index.htm and follow the links to the Knovel website. Log in requires your active PTC Web Support username and password. For a limited time, PTC Maintenance Customers can sign-up and gain free access to Knovel without obligation. MathCAD customers are also entitled to 10 free downloads in any format (MathCAD, Excel, PDF etc).

What Kind of Solution Content Does Knovel Offer?
Knovel Math provides a variety of MathCAD worksheets on topics such as statics, stress and strain, flexural analysis, steel, concrete and timber, surveying, fluid mechanics, engineering economics to name a few. Using Knovel Math’s search database makes it easy to find worksheets or browse through the several MathCAD enabled articles. Once the desired worksheet is found, clicking on the MathCAD link will automatically download the worksheet into MathCAD. All documents are fully documented with detailed descriptions, some diagrams and worked examples.
Knovel also currently offers a “Free Titles Package” which is a free subscription package containing more than 10 premier handbooks and databases. Registration is free however this package won’t allow you access to the full to all the information available but it does give you enough access to get a taste of what Knovel can offer. Several of their most widely used titles are included in the free subscription which includes:
• Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences
• Electric Machinery and Transformers (3rd Edition)
• Engineering Problem Solving - A Classical Perspective
• Essential Practices for Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards
• Handbook of Mathematical Functions with Formulas, Graphs, and Mathematical Tables
• Handbook of Nanomedicine
• Hyperspectral Data Compression
• International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology (1st Electronic Edition)
• Knovel Critical Tables (2nd Edition)
• Knovel Sample Book
• Large-Scale Adsorption and Chromatography, Volumes 1-2
• Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS-01)
• Smithsonian Physical Tables (9th Revised Edition)
• Teaching Engineering
• Wettability
As an added bonus Knovel® also offers registered users access to new and popular handbooks via their “Titles of the Week Program” where every week, 2 popular titles from their extensive databases are chosen and made available for a limited time. All of which can be used to enhance your MathCAD experience especially for those with a strong engineering background. Knovel® Math can be accessed via MathCAD in the main page by going to Tools > Knovel® > Search Knovel Math. This will direct you to their website or alternatively you can go to http://www.knovel.com/web/portal/main.

The new Knovel MathCAD options are one aspect of the value Mathcad 15 delivers to its users. For a free demo of Mathcad 15 inside Australia, test users can download the free full-version trial HERE. Users outside Australia should contact their local PTC partner, or contact PTC directly.

Mathcad 15 Available from CADDIT Australia

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:00:32 PDT

Mathcad 15 is now available from CADDIT Australia. According to the official release, "Mathcad 15.0 includes over 25 new functions, more robust reference libraries and integration with third-party tools, including the latest version of Microsoft Excel. Additionally, the Mathcad 15.0 integration with existing engineering platforms like Pro/ENGINEER®, as well as with PTC’s Windchill® solutions, Windchill PDMLink® and Windchill ProductPoint®, enables better management of critical engineering content, making it easier to share and reuse information leading to standardization and best practices." More than three years have passed since Mathcad 14 was released in the beginning of 2007.

Some new features in Mathcad 15 include:
• Mathcad 15 is Windows 7 compatible (officially supported on Windows7)
• Design of Experiments (DoE) – Over 25 new functions to reduce the time and expense of conducting experiments using DoE.
• Data link for the latest versions of Microsoft Excel® – Mathcad functions include READEXCEL(), WRITEEXCEL(), READFILE, an Excel data import wizard and an Excel Add-in.
• Integration to Knovel® Math content – (more information below).
• Integration with Kornucopia® software – Reduce time and effort spent on analysis by providing functions and templates using Mathcad-based documented workflows. Improves interpretations and value of experimental data and simulation results.

A complete product brochure for Mathcad 15 can be downloaded HERE.

Mathcad 15 license options are Individual node locked or registered user, Floating (network) and Global. Node locked licenses are fixed to a specific PC, floating licenses can each have one user at a time, by anyone on a local network (i.e. three network users all using Mathcad at the same time will need three floating licenses, etc) Schools and universities may also choose from the Student Edition, Professor Edition (node locked) and University Editions (floating). The Single User license will be effectively discontinued.

All PTC active support customers now receive:
• 24x5 technical support
• No charge access to all software updates and upgrades
• Access to the Knowledge Base which includes searchable product specific content and resources
• Discounts on product level upgrades
• Online web support and License Management tools
• “Tips and Techniques” web casts for product demos and basic training
• Gold Loyalty Program discounts with partners including Dell, Knovel, Lenovo.

In addition to the above, Mathcad customers are also entitled to:
• An additional license at no charge to be used on the Home PC of a user utilizing a network license in the office.
• Node Locked customers receive 1 Home Use License for each active license
• Floating customers receive 2 Home Use licenses for every 1 seat they maintain.
• Up to 10 Free content downloads from Knovel (more information below). Mathcad customers will particularly be interested in Knovel Math which provides fully documented Mathcad worksheets from Roarks Formulas for Stress and Strain- 7th Edition, Hicks Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations, and the Foundation Engineering Handbook.

A new partner for updated Mathcad Extended Libraries:
With past versions, PTC Mathcad included Library Extensions for Mechanical, Civil and Electrical engineering. PTC has a new relationship with content provider Knovel, who maintain updated library extensions for Mathcad called Knovel Math. Those with Mathcad 14 can also use the old Library Extensions from that version on Mathcad 15, as well.

For more information about Mathcad 15 in Australia, contact a local partner HERE. A trial user version of Mathcad 15 is not yet ready. Mathcad 14 in Australia can still be directly downloaded from CADDIT.net HERE. Trial users from regions outside Australia should contact either their own local PTC partner or download the trial directly from PTC.

How Outsourcing to China will "Bring it Home"

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:43:27 PDT

Mei (name changed) is a Chinese factory worker who makes toys sold overseas. She works 12 hours except on Saturday when she is permitted to only work six hours. She lives in a small flat with her husband and one child. She was pregnant with a second but the local authorities forced her to have an abortion. For two years she managed raising their living child alone, because her husband was being detained under suspicion of having ties to a certain religion. This is not Hollywood, this is nothing remarkable, this is common people's life.. in mainland China.

The phenomenon of outsourcing to China took on a complete new dimension in the USA, with the sudden success of what some consider the single largest retail scandal in American history - Wal*Mart. According to the PBS documentary STORE WARS: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town:

Made in the U.S.A? Despite a well-publicized "Made in the U.S.A." campaign, 85 percent of the stores' items are made overseas, often in Third World sweatshops. In fact, only after Wal-Mart's "Buy American" ad campaign was in full swing did the company become the country's largest importer of Chinese goods in any industry. By taking its orders abroad, Wal-Mart has forced many U.S. manufacturers out of business.

(note the above recording of Wal-Mart's 1992 television ad "Bring it Home to the USA" was removed from YouTube several weeks after this article was published)

Most Americans never saw past the red-white-and-blue logo of this seemingly phony patriotism. Wal*Mart stock price skyrocketed with its success. Wal*Mart would ultimately get away with "selling the American economy" to Chinese elite on an unprecedented scale. Other retailers - by choice or by necessity - also increased Chinese imports. The Chinese elite came to understand that a great weakness of their western counterparts was the overwhelming self-centeredness of some. And as Wal*Mart showed everyone, you only need some. Convince one to outsource - two more follow. Others resist, but as their own products loose markets to cheaper competition, they too are soon forced to follow suit in a massive avalanche of outsourcing. This flood of new low-cost, low-quality product to store shelves also fostered a new "use up and throw away" mentality in people, which produces more waste and garbage.

But it gets worse. In early 2009 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a collateral agreement in Beijing which grants China the right to claim Eminent Domain of LAND within the USA as security for all the debt this has helped cause. America has now quite literally - and quietly - mortgaged itself to China, and most people living there don't even know. Americans can partly thank their local Wal-Mart - after all - "They Care", as their carts say. All of this for the everyday low price of cheap tube socks and $2 a day paid in sweat shops that nobody else had to look at. So, for those who want to move to China, there is good news. We just keep outsourcing to China, and China will be brought to us.

"Alibre Design Personal" Replaces Standard & Xpress versions; New Alibre Products

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:34:14 PDT

Alibre is a powerful but easy-to-use 3D mechanical CAD package which is distributed and supported in Australia through CADDIT.net. Beginning in mid-May, Alibre no longer offered a "Standard" version of their CAD software. Alibre Design "Standard" has been replaced with the Alibre Design "Personal" version, mainly for hobby use. Also, the free version referred to as "Alibre Design Xpress" will no longer be available to new users. Current users of these products, however, should be able to continue using them as-is without any change to their software. A note to those who purchased Alibre Design from us during our last promotion, well done - you have a package worth about $1000 for under $200. Alibre Design Personal now has some new limitations in comparison to its predecessor, Alibre Design Standard:

Single install license (no take-home license, multiple keys etc)
Advanced Import / Export features are deactivated
Import DWG / DXF is still enabled
Export .STL is still enabled for 3D printers
Publish 3D PDF (for models only) is still available
No STEP, IGES, SAT, Rhino, image files
Files are not enumerated unless you select All files (*.*)
Turn-off Advanced Detail Drawing (see further..)
No Bill of Materials
No Detail, Section, Partial, or Broken views
No views for Centers, Cosmetic Threads, External Threads, or No Hole Call-outs

CAD users looking for competent 3D mechanical CAD software are really encouraged to at least go with Alibre Design Professional now. Algor DesignCheck FEA is now called "Simulation Express" from Autodesk and will continue to be available as before. Alibre also has a new partner for delivering photo-realistic rendering to all Alibre Design Professional and Alibre Design Expert users. Luxion's KeyShot For CAD is now included in both versions and is available in Australia from CADDIT. Other Luxion users include PTC, Cadkey, SpaceClaim and Rhino. NOTE Alibre expects to also have new KeyShot BIP file export enabled within Alibre Design by the end of June.

KeyShot For CAD allows Alibre Pro and Expert users to create full photo-realistic images for their model within minutes. And - much like Alibre itself - Keyshot is easy to use. Drag-and-drop materials, preset lighting, and real-time updates give you the final result all the time. KeyShot is the first and only rendering application that offers real-time ray-tracing. This means that your model is constantly being rendered as you zoom, pan, rotate, and apply materials and lighting presets. For more information about Alibre Design 3D CAD in Australia feel free to CONTACT CADDIT.net. A free 30-day PROFESSIONAL trial of Alibre Design can be downloaded HERE.

New progeCAD 2010 10.0.8.9 Released from CADDIT; Automatic Upgrade for Current Users

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:45:30 PDT

progeCAD 2010 Professional 10.0.8.9 is available from CADDIT with several more small bug fixes for issues reported from our forum, customer and user feedback. These fixes include:

- Fixed "copy as block" when name is already defined in the destination drawing
- Fixed a hatch display regen bug
- Fixed polar Lisp function
- Wblock file format now uses system DWG default version (2007)
- Fixed point dragging when ORTHO and ESNAP are On
- Occasional crash on auto-save issues have been addressed
- Fixed memory leaks found with the MIRROR command
- Fixed some issues with display of some non-Latin characters
- Fixed graphics visualization issue after REDO

Current progeCAD 2010 users also having an Internet connection will be upgraded automatically if the automatic update tool is enabled. No manual download will be necessary when the update works in that case. On some systems it may be necessary to first login as administrator before this update can be performed.

Other CAD users are encouraged to download this latest as a version free trial. progeCAD 2010 Professional will run for 30 days before users can choose to license it or not. Current license options for progeCAD include single-seat, floating network licenses, mobile USB, large office licenses and more. SME small and medium enterprise may also inquire as to our quantity discounts for 5- 10- and 20-license packs. progeCAD is free for schools who join the CADDIT progeCAD educational program in Australia and New Zealand. Other questions about progeCAD software can be directed to our support office in Liverpool, Australia.

Free Pro/ENGINEER Tryout Edition DVD from CADDIT

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:34:20 PDT

A new free PTC Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire DVD software kit is available in Australia for evaluation from CADDIT Australia. This free "Pro/ENGINEER Experience" kit includes an interactive tutorial DVD (disk #1) and an easy-to-register 30 day full evaluation version of Pro/ENGINEER software (disk #2). Pro/ENGINEER is a high-end 3D modelling, manufacturing and simulation PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) platform used in industrial and product design, automotive and aerospace, marine and manufacturing for delivering a total single platform which can scale to meet the needs of any design requirement. Some of the improvements in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 include:

Completely new 2D detail drafting environment (this was first revealed on our blog here). The new framework uses the ribbon-like Fluent UI command navigation from Microsoft. Improved plot preview and use of Adobe TrueType fonts in text.
New social product development capabilities using Pro/ENGINEER’s brand new ProductPoint^® platform, built on Microsoft^® SharePoint^® to better enable design teams to work together.
Enhanced Weld Design - New weld features, symbol annotations, and simulation enhancements enable you to design, document and analyze welded structures. You can analyze weldment models up to 10X faster, shown below:

Realtime photo-realistic rendering with raytracing support for shadows and reflections. Pro/ENGINEER Advanced Rendering Extension (ARX) now includes the mental images rendering engine for unsurpassed realism.
Machine simulation can drive slot motor components along curves, quickly create belts to account for kinematic and dynamic coupling, analyze dynamic gears, and model 3D contacts. More high-end analysis capabilities with expanded support for heterogeneous units, improvements to icon and label displays, an intuitive dashboard UI for surface and volume regions, and support for materials plasticity.
Improved 5-axis CNC machining quickly and easily duplicate tool paths and leverage the process manager for turning operations, such as area turning, grooving and profile turning.
Exchange Autodesk Inventor® and SolidWorks® files, including non-geometric data exchange capabilities - you can preserve 3D notes, annotations and metadata in neutral formats. And the new 3D import wizards and usability enhancements for AutobuildZ™ and Import DataDoctor™.
Improvements in speed, ease of use, completely new Pro/ENGINEER Spark Analysis and Manikin Extensions, a new "Rib Tool" for plastic part design and many other enhancements...

This DVD kit is a valuable, limited time opportunity for companies to have easy access to the latest parametric CAD design technology in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5. For those interested in data management and the new Social Product Development technology, a chance to work with a live ProductPoint PDM server will also be provided. Special discount prices for Pro/ENGINEER licenses are also available until the end of June.

Australian SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) companies, individual company staff members or management can request this kit from CADDIT HERE (Australia only). In other countries you may need to contact your local PTC partner or contact PTC directly.

3D Document Publishing from TransMagic

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:54:54 PDT

One of the sometimes overlooked (this author included) features of TransMagic 3D CAD translation software is its free 3D model viewer. TransMagic read and write a number of file formats using native libraries - CATIA, SolidWorks, JT, Siemens NX / Unigraphics, Autodesk Inventor, Pro/ENGINEER - as well as neutral formats like STEP, IGES & STL - the advantage being native, reliable 3D CAD translation between high-end CAD systems of very good quality. However what should be done to share a CAD file with a client or colleague who has no 3D CAD system at all?

Enter TransMagic's 3D web page publishing feature. This video briefly demonstrates using TransMagic to publish a STEP file to HTML and open with Windows Internet Explorer.

Saving a CAD model or assembly as an HTML page from TransMagic will create (at least) two linked files using the file name given - one HTML file which can be loaded from Windows Internet Explorer & an associated HOOPS ".hsf" file containing the actual 3D parts which use the HTML as a "container". Simply, zip or unzip both files together, upload send in email or save to the same hard disk (or server) location and open the HTML from Internet Explorer with the .HSF file present in the same directory. You can view this video's actual HTML page for yourself HERE.

Of course, HTML code can be edited to change colors, add a company logo or product information and web links as desired - so it is far more effective in making product presentations than a binary viewer - and transmits far more successfully in email. It also adds the possibility (perhaps also using TransMagic's batch-convert option) to publish 3D part catalogs on a website that visitors can navigate and "inspect" in real time 3D.

For Australia and New Zealand, TransMagic can be downloaded locally from CADDIT. From other lands, please refer to http://www.transmagic.com/.

Free Pro/ENGINEER "Lite" CNC, FEA, Structural Steel & Ergonomics Design Modules

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:24:23 PDT

Did you know that every seat of Pro/ENGINEER now includes full-featured CAD/CAM milling, mechanical assembly FEA simulation, human factor analysis ("Manikin" analysis) piping and cabling design?* Here is a list of functionality now delivered to every Pro/ENGINEER user with updated maintenance:

CAM Lite – (Expert Machinist)
Pro/ENGINEER Foundation XE includes a basic 2 ½-axis CNC milling license, allowing machining of prismatic parts in 5-axis positioning. There are no “Menu Manager" menus; interface is completely icon/dialog driven. Pro/ENGINEER NC Lite follows a simple workflow:

Specify final part and original material stock
"Work cell" definition - specify milling machine type and machine zero
Toolpath strategies - define machining "features" to block list
Toolpath calculation is virtually automatic when all parameters are defined
Post CNC machine G-code (generic FANUC post processor included)

Toolpath definitions are stored independently of machine features. More specific additional NC G-code POST processors can be used, they should be acquired from AustinNC or other developers.

CAE Lite – "Mechanica Lite"
Pro/MECHANICA finite element analysis and simulation ("FEA") for maximum 100 surfaces. CAE Lite enables you to perform static structural analysis on parts and assemblies so you can virtually test your product earlier in the design cycle. Intuitive interface walks users through analysis setup:
• Static Structural Analysis for Parts and Assemblies
• Apply Loads and Constraints (Displacement, Pin, Ball, Planar)
• Full results functionality
• Results Probing, Animation, etc…
Leverages Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica technology. Complete upward model compatibility to the full version of Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica for large-scale analysis.

Manikin Lite
Find out how a human might interact with your design with ergonomic studies. Any Pro/ENGINEER user may load, place, edit placement and manipulate a manikin in the product scene. Explore the base concept of digital human modeling, directly inside Pro/ENGINEER!
• Limited selection of full manikin design extension tools for manipulation (2D drag and apply posture only)
• Manikin Extension adds the capabilities to check reach envelopes, vision cones, first person vision window
• Manikin LITE analysis extension offers Pro/ENGINEER users several important ergonomic analysis software tools for product designs.

Pro/ENGINEER Frame Extensions Lite (EFX)
Beginning with Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 M020, EFX Lite is now also available to all new and maintenance users. Expert Framework (EFX) is for structural steel design, framework assemblies made up of steel beams, aluminum profiles and other types of custom profiles. Customers are using EFX to create industrial machinery, cranes, buildings, assembly lines, conveyor systems, marine structures, roof designs and much more. Essentially all the engineer needs to do is to create or import the underlying structural shape using Pro/ENGINEER datum curves, where the curves represent the major structural beams. Designers then use EFX commands to convert these shapes directly to framework assembly / structural profile.

WILDFIRE 5.0 is now available, for Pro/ENGINEER information inside Australia you can contact CADDIT via their website http://www.caddit.net/ or http://www.cadcam.com.au/ For an up-to-date product comparison between the several available product bundles included with Pro/ENGINEER, see the PTC website HERE.

*Lite modules included free as of Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0 refresh M70

progeCAD Upgrades: What are my choices?

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:37:20 PDT

Until 11 May 2010, CADDIT.net is sharing in a global limited-time 15% discount for all upgrades to progeCAD 2010 Professional. This includes discounts to the following basic upgrade options:

Upgrade progeCAD 2009 to progeCAD 2010
Upgrade progeCAD 2008 to progeCAD 2010
Upgrade progeCAD Network License
Upgrade progeCAD USB License

The procedure for upgrading progeCAD online is simple: select the matching progeCAD upgrade for your current license, fill out the bottom text box of the product page with your current serial code(s) and complete the order as usual.

It is also possible online to migrate or convert different CAD licenses to progeCAD Professional, Network or USB versions.

To upgrade from an older version of AutoCAD LT (2004 or newer), IntelliCAD 6, certain versions of TurboCAD Professional, Vectorworks, Microstation, BricsCAD and other software HERE. As with direct upgrades for progeCAD, upgrading simply requires entering a valid license code and a description of the old CAD software in the bottom text box provided. Always check this cross-over order form for a list of software currently qualifying for upgrade.

To convert from either progeCAD Professional stand-alone license or another CAD package to progeCAD Professional USB version, use this order page and select which system you are upgrading from the drop-down menu "product-current" toward the bottom of the order page, as well as filling out the current serial number. The final price for the USB upgrade varies depending from which previous CAD program that one upgrades from.

For example, why "upgrade" from AutoCAD LT 2006 to progeCAD Professional 2010? Here are some reasons: AutoCAD DWG 2010 file editing, Windows Vista & Windows 7 support, 3D modeling and rendering, AutoLISP and VBA programming, Google Earth export, Express Tools, Quick Dimensioning, PDF import, Raster to Vector tools, gradient hatching - all offered in progeCAD at modest cost - but not in AutoCAD LT 2006. In fact, while the gap between AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD widens, the gap between progeCAD and AutoCAD is narrowing.

A full version of the new progeCAD 2010 Professional (with 10.0.4 patch) can be downloaded HERE. It will run without limitation for 30 days before you can decide if it meets your needs.

progeCAD 2010 Released. AutoCAD Clone Reads AutoCAD 2010 Files, Windows 7 Compatible

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:41:53 PST

Sydney, Australia - CADDIT and progeSOFT are happy to announce the milestone software release of progeCAD 2010. Also to be known as "progeCAD CLASSIC", this will be the final and best release ever available on the established IntelliCAD 6 platform (future versions will be based on new IntelliCAD 7 DRX technology). AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT software compatibility has been a priority. This unique "bridge" release delivers many features users have requested:

AutoCAD 2010 DWG file read/write
Windows 7 compatibility
PDF import & export with layers support
Brand New Property Palette, with hide & fly-out.
Brand New Boundary Hatch Interface, including gradient hatching
Advanced CTB (Greyscale print and Screening)
Polygon Layout Viewport Boundaries in Paper space
SOLPROF - 2D profile image extraction from ACIS solids
Improved Selection Windows with Dynamic Entity Highlighting

progeCAD 2010 now supports export to the following file formats: PDF, 3DS (Autodesk 3D Studio MAX), POV (Povray raytracer), Lightwave, ACIS .SAT, SVG (XML format), O2C, GoogleEarth KML, DWG and DXF (also a number of raster image formats).

Performance & stability improvements have been made throughout progeCAD. Real time pan, zoom, file operation, printing, 3D shading while rotating 3D models (via "shade" command + CTRL-Right Mouse Button), 3D operation has improved, paper space operation - all these aspects have been improved upon as well. The greatest advantage remains Windows 7 and AutoCAD 2010 support.

Why called "progeCAD CLASSIC"? While it is a new product, progeCAD 2010 represents the final version based on time-proven IntelliCAD 6 technology, a few parts of which evidently still trace back to the very early days of IntelliCAD. Future progeCAD releases will use a new DRX technology from the completely rewritten IntelliCAD 7. So from a certain historical point of view, progeCAD 2010 is perhaps the greatest direct realization of a software design that started fourteen years ago. To salute this long-standing achievement, CADDIT has dubbed progeCAD 2010 a "CLASSIC".

Interested to try it out? Here is a link to download the full version of progeCAD. progeCAD offers Professional, Stand-Alone, USB Dongle, Network NLM and Full Office Licenses. Free support for all versions of progeCAD is offered directly from CADDIT technicians on the CAD forum.

P.S. We will begin notifying customers who took advantage of our free upgrade offer about their new licenses as soon as perhaps next week.

Alibre Price Now Just $99 in Australia, Alibre 12.1 Released

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:13:08 PST

CADDIT has released Alibre 12.1 3D CAD Software in Australia, with the following new permanent price structure:

Alibre Design Standard: AUD $99.00
Alibre Design Professional: AUD $549.00
Alibre Design Expert: $1099.00

Alibre Design can be downloaded directly from CADDIT Australia HERE. This software will run in 30-day trial Professional mode before reverting to Alibre Design Xpress. All prices are listed ex-GST.

New pricing for upgrades and maintenance have also been published on CADDIT for Australia. For a complete price list of Alibre Design software and add-ons, see the CADDIT online shop HERE.

Linux Network Printing from progeCAD using Samba

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:11:08 PST

One common network configuration for business file storage and printing is the use of Linux file and print servers on low-cost PC hardware. The advantages of UNIX & Linux servers in an SMB office automation environment are:

Linux (also some UNIX, i.e. Solaris) is free to download
Linux is secure, fast and stable
Linux is scalable and highly configurable

Microsoft Windows, on the other hand, does work very well for supporting graphical end-user applications. progeCAD is a strongly graphical, end-user application for AutoCAD-compatible Computer Aided Design. To connect Windows PCs to a Linux back-office, we use Samba server. Samba is free Linux server software for sharing Windows folders or printers on a network:However, Samba will slow progeCAD's performance if not correctly configured. Samba is packaged for a wide variety of Linux types ("distributions") and installation is best carried out with free packages available for your version of Linux. Here are some more tips for setting up a network USB printer.

Once the USB printer is itself correctly configured by the local Linux printing subsystem (CUPS, LPRNG, UNIX LPR) the printer is then "shared" by its queue name onto the Windows SMB network in the Samba configuration (usually smb.conf, section shown here for Debian Linux - see Samba website for complete configuration details):

[printers]
comment = Sample Printers
path = /var/spool/samba
create mode = 0700
browseable = yes
writable = yes
guest ok = yes
public = yes
printable = yes
use client driver = no
printer admin = root

[My5500]
comment = Demo Example HP 5500 colour (change this with your own printer)
path = /var/spool/samba
browseable = yes
writable = no
guest ok = yes
printable = yes
default devmode = yes
use client driver = no
printer admin = root, administrator

Explanation: Driver configuration can either be client-side or server-side. We strongly recommend server-side drivers (default devmode = yes, use client driver = no) for speed and reliability. Only the Linux administrator is here given permission to "set up" the printer on the server side (printer admin = root). However this creates some challenges. The Windows driver will need to be "uploaded" to the Linux server. We will need to create an additional Samba configuration for allowing this:

[PRINT$]
path = /var/lib/samba/printers
guest ok = yes
browseable = yes
read only = yes
write list = root
admin users = root
create mask = 0644
directory mask = 0755

Once smb.conf is saved, Samba needs to be restarted. A quick network browse of our Linux machine from Windows (i.e. from Windows Explorer type '\\server-name') should list the shared printers and folders on that 'server-name'. NOTE: For security purposes we have only allowed "root" (and administrator) any kind of admin rights to the Samba printers. Our problem is that Windows doesn't have a UNIX user called "root". We get around this by initially connecting to our new shared printer from the DOS / Command prompt as follows:

runas /netonly /user:root "rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /p /t3 /n \\server-name\printername" (i.e. \\pc123\My5510 in this example)

You should be prompted for the Linux password for "root", and then prompted whether you want to select a Windows driver at this time - click "No".

A spartan Properties Box for this printer should appear. Click on the "Advanced" tab along the top of the box and click the "New Driver.." button. Select a 'Generic -> Ms Publisher Color Printer' if you want to send Postscript to your Linux printer (this is a good idea, CUPS will automatically reformat Postscript files to something usable by the actual USB printer hardware if correctly configured). Windows should begin uploading the local driver from your PC to the Samba server. Now click the "Apply" button at the bottom of the properties box and you should see several more tabs appear in this dialogue box if everything goes as planned. You may now close this Properties Box.

Because "administrator" is also listed as an admin for our My5500 printer, Windows administrator can make centrally-stored changes to this Samba printer (like setting paper size from Letter to A4, or changing the Postscript mode). NOTE that we have thus far only highlighted steps to configure Samba printers on the server side. Now we can finally add this as a Windows printer by navigating to \\server-name in Windows Explorer, right-clicking the printer and clicking "connect" from the drop-down menu that appears.

This post does not completely cover Samba configuration, only those tips found best practice for printing. We have found the above approach to offer best performance and reliability for printing to Samba server on Linux in progeCAD IntelliCAD (as well as Microsoft Office applications) from Windows. However other procedures may work better for different plotters and we welcome your comments here.

A Preview of Alibre CAM 2.0 CNC Software

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:16:00 PST

The upcoming release of Alibre Design 12.1 (SP1) will include major enhancement to the basic CAM software included free with Alibre Design Expert, as well as the four- and five-axis options available for Alibre CAM Professional and Alibre CAM Expert. Improvement to the Alibre CAM Interface will make CNC programming inside Alibre Design much easier and enjoyable to do. Here is one comparison between the crowded old (left) tab interface and the new (right) cascading style:

But more than the lookand feel of Alibre CAM will change. A new entry method has been added to 2.5 axis profile milling operations allowing you to have more control over the entry angle.You can now create tabs/bridges for 2.5 axis profiling operations. You can specify the bridge height and length. You can also specify whether you want to use a particular number of bridges which will be equally distributed around the profiles or you can set an exact distance between bridges. Below is an example of the same cut-outs using 5 bridges and 10 bridges per profile.

The Tool Libraries will allow "drag and drop" of pre-defined tools into the active tool set. There will also be an option to immediately preview a tool upon creation.

Alibre CAM 2.0 will now support avoidance regions to specify where the tool should not cut, for example to avoid clamps holding the stock material down on your CNC machine. Flat faces can be directly selected as machining / avoidance regions instead of having to use sketches. You can also select the starting point for the engagement of the tool for Machining Operations defined by sketches.

Alibre CAM Standard will offer along-path-3D-entry for 3 axis horizontal finishing offers more control over surface finish for steep areas of parts. Specifying the engage angle and path height allows you to control the smoothness of the engage motion, helping to eliminate unwanted marks on the cut part that would otherwise need to be buffed out later. Alibre CAM Professional will also enjoy improvements to 4 axis milling.

Alibre CAM Expert will add a new 3D Offset profiling method, 3D Offset pocketing for making constant offset tool paths on the part surfaces, 3 axis pencil tracing now offers multiple passes & 3 axis valley re-machining allows split cuts, step over and cut control. Tool Holder Collision determines the minimum tool length required to avoid collision.

Alibre Design is sold in Australia by CADDIT. Download Alibre Design / Alibre CAM in Australia for a free 30 day "Professional" trial before software reverts back to free "Xpress" mode.

CAD Training Course 28 January 2010 Near Sydney

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:06:00 PST

A special one-day progeCAD CAD training course will be held Thursday, 28 January 2010 in Newcastle, NSW Australia. Special pricing for this event in Australia should especially appeal to small businesses on the Australian East Coast. All materials needed for participating in the class will be provided upon arrival. The class will be divided into four sessions on basic and advanced design. Lunch will be catered for.

progeCAD is a powerful tool for AutoCAD-compatible CAD drawing. progeCAD offers most of the same commands and DWG file format support, but at a much lower cost compared to AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT software. Recent years have also seen many customer-driven improvements in speed and flexibility. In 2009 progeCAD added in-place text editing, paper space sheet size display and 3D Google Earth model export. New buyers are now also enjoy a free upgrade to the 2010 version upon release. A 30 day trial version can be downloaded from CADDIT.

Newcastle Computer Training is centrally located on Wood Street, Newcastle NSW not far from major highways and public transportation. A wide choice of accommodation is also available. All software, hardware and needed training materials will be provided on site.

Specific questions about next class content material are being answered by CADDIT on (02) 8777 5588. Registration for progeCAD Training 2010 can be completed by phoning or by registering online at HERE at CADDIT.

Four Myths about PTC Pro/ENGINEER 3D CAD

noreply@blogger.com (CADDIT) — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:10:06 PDT

1. Pro/ENGINEER seems harder to use
All CAD software has some learning curve, and requires some training to use correctly. The more functionality software offers, the more that there is to learn about it (claims to the contrary usually have less to to with engineering design and more to do with clever marketing). Jeffrey Rowe, Editor at MCADCafe writes regarding the latest Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire release:

"Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0, is a refreshing continuation of 4.0 Instead of again just piling on an additional zillion new features and capabilities that relatively few designers use, PTC (like some of its competitors) chose to improve Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 in other ways that matter to most customers, namely, software stability, better consistency across modeling functions, and promotion of more efficient work flows."

Three examples of this expressed in business are PowerSki (USA), Hayter (UK), Haald Engineering (Australia) Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5 further updated its 2D detail drawing interface with a familiar "command ribbon", similar to many other Windows applications. Pro/ENGINEER also holds a tradition of delivering more control over the final design than competing systems. And, unlike many bloated CAD systems today, much of Pro/ENGINEER is still leanly coded using C language.

2. Pro/ENGINEER doesn't support surface modelling
False. Simply put, Pro/ENGINEER has supported parametric surface modelling for years, with no additional license required to create parametric surface models. PTC tightly integrates surface machining with its manufacturing software.

3. I heard Pro/ENGINEER is really expensive
"For those still in the 2D realm and looking to switch, one thing worth considering is that Pro/Engineer is often perceived as an expensive option, particularly when you consider the price erosion in the mainstream market. This is not really the case anymore and the starting costs are comparable to its competition" - Al Dean, MCADonline.

In Australia, Pro Engineer is being offered at prices lower that its mainstream market competitors, CATIA and Unigraphics NX, perhaps Autodesk. In fact, a recent study in the Australian market found the total cost of ownership for Pro/Engineer to be lower than many mid-range products including Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks.

4. Pro/ENGINEER can't collaborate
Nothing could be further from the truth. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire was designed from the start to make use of web technology. Pro/ENGINEER was the first CAD solution to be enabled for social product development. Wildfire offers file import/export including both ACIS & Parasolid, as well as Autodesk Inventor import and more. Windchill, ProductLink, ProjectLink and PTC ProductPoint PDM for Microsoft Office Sharepoint server are all examples of Pro/ENGINEER design team support.

As of 2010, CADDIT will be joining PTC a Pro/ENGINEER Reseller in Australia. For more information, we can be contacted per phone, fax, email, etc as shown HERE.