CADfidential

A behind-the-scenes look at the CAD world

Autodesk adds ETO tools

Autodesk in October acquired ETO (engineer-to-order) technology from Engineering Intent, a privately held software developer. ETO software supports mass customization by automating the process of configuring a product to meet individual customers' specifications. Engineering Intent was founded in 1995 as Heide Corp. and has around 100 customers, including Hytrol Conveyor Company and Southern Staircase.

Free for all

SolidWorks added support for PDF publishing to its free DWGgateway data translation tool, available for download at www.dwggateway.com. DWGgateway allows users to open and edit files created in AutoCAD v2.5 and up. Meanwhile, Autodesk posted the free TrueView 2D DWG/DXF reader at www.autodesk.com for download (100MB). The viewer supports viewing and plotting, but doesn't include measurement or markup tools.

Are you concerned that you could lose your job as a result of overseas outsourcing?

Spy vision

In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), is funding further development of IDELIX's pliable display technology. The visualization technology is designed to enable users to zoom in on details without losing the context of the larger image.

Up all night

Stratasys launched RedEye RPM, an online rapid prototyping part building service. RedEyeRPM.com extends the company's BuildFDM service to include automated quoting and ordering. To generate the quote, it analyzes design file data without uploading it. Turnaround time averages 3–5 days.

Kudos

Cadalyst editorial advisory board member Richard Buday was elected AIA Fellow by the 2005 Jury of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, DC this year. He is president of Archimage, a 20-person design practice in Houston, Texas.

Help wanted

New job board CADtalent.com is free to both employers and job seekers. Users can search by geographic location and by experience with such programs as AutoCAD/Inventor, Pro/ENGINEER, ArchiCAD, MicroStation, SolidWorks, Unigraphics/NX and 3ds max.

Scanning success

Sales of 3D laser scanning hardware, software and services will reach $178 million in 2005, according to the latest forecast by Spar Point Research—an increase of 45% over 2004. The group revised its May 2005 forecast of $168 million. Customers and vendors agree the market has moved from early adopters to the beginnings of mainstream acceptance, driven by spreading recognition of how improved dimensional control aids design, fabrication, construction, operations and maintenance.

AEC outlook rosy

The AIA predicts a positive construction outlook for 2006 based on favorable economic conditions such as low interest rates. One worry, however, is inflation, given increases in the price of certain commodities and problems with availability of some business materials. The AIA bases its forecast on the ABI (Architecture Billings Index), a survey of business conditions at U.S. architecture firms that can project construction activity roughly six months into the future.

PLM proves popular

CPDA's PLM Roadmap event registered a 20% increase in attendance over last year. This year's event focused on reference frameworks to establish a "common understanding across silos to optimize results across the entire lifecycle." A pilot CAE data model was also discussed.

Corporate ladder

• 1. G. Thomas Clay is new CEO of Z Corp., an independently operating subsidiary of Contex Scanning Technology. Formerly president of the company, he replaces Marina Hatsopoulos, Z Corp.'s founding CEO, who will serve on the Contex board of directors.
• 2. MSC.Software appointed Stephen Bodnar as vice-president of product management. Prior to joining MSC.Software, Mr. Bodnar served as director of market development for EDS' PLM Solutions, vice-president of the collaborative solutions group at SDRC and director of product marketing for PTC.
• 3. Deligo Technologies, developers of Iced*CAD software, tapped co-founder Arthur Carlucci to replace current president and CEO Thomas W. Kelly.
• 4. Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John W. Holly joins Intergraph as senior vice-president and general manager of its Federal Solutions business unit, part of its Security, Government & Infrastructure division.

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