Bill Fane

The majority of enhancements beef up 2D functionality, including two new commands for generating 2D working drawings from 3D models.

Learning Curve tutorial:

The latest release from Dassault Systèmes features automatic dimension re-arrangement, a part de-featuring tool, and simple sharing of parameter values and equations between parts.

As guests of HP and Gil de Ferran's Dragon Racing Team, two car-loving CAD journalists see first-hand the computer power behind the engine power — not to mention a few celebrities.

Learning Curve tutorial: In addition to dynamic dimensional constraints, AutoCAD's parametric options also include annotational dimension constraints that use current dimension style, plot, and scale to match drawing dimensions.

Learning Curve tutorial: Parametrics, as used in AutoCAD 2010, constrain drawing objects so they are related to each other and so that changing or moving one object will affect all its siblings.

Learning Curve tutorial: Thanks to dimensional constraints in AutoCAD 2010, precision entry is not as necessary as it used to be. Just create a quick sketch, constrain and dimension it, and then input the precise sizes.

SolidWorks 2010 includes more than 200 improvements, including the innovative SustainabilityXpress feature that lets users obtain suggested alternative materials and environmental-impact information for 3D product designs.

Learning Curve tutorial: AutoCAD 2009 introduced the Action Macro recorder to easily automate commonly repeated tasks. AutoCAD 2010 has worked out a few of the initial kinks and added new functionality.

Do you often find yourself repeating the same sequence of commands over and over again? Wouldn't it be nice to repeat that sequence with just a simple mouse click?