cadalyst
Manufacturing

MCAD Tech News (#174)

3 May, 2006 By: Jeffrey Rowe


Event Report: COFES 2006

Congress On the Future of Engineering Software is a CAD conference like no other

I just returned from Scottsdale, Arizona, and the unique event COFES 2006 (Congress On the Future of Engineering Software). This invitation-only think-tank event, now in its seventh year, brings together engineering software industry executives from design, engineering, architectural, development and technology companies, as well as users, to better understand the role that digital engineering technologies will play in the future survival and success of their respective businesses. The event provides many opportunities for in-depth and open discussions among participants without the distractions that you typically encounter at trade shows. Read more>>

Cadalyst Labs Review: AutoCAD 2007 —
Enhanced 3D Capabilities for Design

by Bill Fane

Every new release of software often has one central theme that grabs the headlines. In AutoCAD 2006, for example, it was dynamic -- dynamic input and dynamic blocks. In AutoCAD 2005, it was sheet sets. In AutoCAD 2004, tool palettes. Release 13 gave us -- okay, let's not go there.

The headline-grabber for AutoCAD 2007 can be summed up in one word, 3D (or is that two words?). Before you roll your eyes and think "Here goes that 3D thing again. I don't need 3D," bear with me for a moment. It's true that a small minority of design and drafting tasks, such as schematic diagrams and flow charts, will never need 3D. On the other hand, pretty much everything else in the world is 3D and could benefit from being designed and drawn in 3D. Read more >>

Mark Your Calendar: MCAD Events

The Fast Track to PLM
Various dates through May 2006
UGS’ Fast Track to PLM seminar series addresses the need for midsize companies to understand and participate in innovation. Read more

Autodesk 2007 Technology Tour
Various dates through June 2006
Various locations
Avatech Solutions invites existing and prospective Autodesk product users to participate in free half-day introductory workshops. Read more

Autodesk 2007 Engineering Software Solutions Seminar
May 11, 2006
Atlanta, Georgia
Seminar is hosted by Applied Software will be broken into three engineering fields including building solutions, infrastructure solutions and manufacturing solutions. Read more

ICEM User Conferences
June 1-2, 2006, Berlin, Germany
June 14-15, 2006, Dearborn, Michigan
July 4-5, 2006, Tokyo, Japan
ICEM conferences will feature the latest developments in both ICEM Surf and the new ICEM Shape Design software suites, as well as the software’s real-world applications. Read more

For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here >>

what's new at cadalyst.com

Online Archives: Click here to view an online version of this newsletter and past issues of MCAD Tech News.

Harry's Hot Tip Challenge 2006 Just Got Better: Cadalyst readers whose Hot Tip Harry tips are selected for publication in 2006 will each receive a Cadalyst t-shirt, and the author of the best tip each month will receive $100. Now sponsored by Autodesk, the Hot Tip Harry Challenge 2006 is offering even bigger prizes. All authors of published tips this year will be entered into random drawings for a copy of AutoCAD 2007 and a trip to Autodesk University 2006 in Las Vegas! So send Harry your favorite routines for AutoCAD and related products (AutoLISP, VBA and more) and you could be taking home a hot prize! Visit Harry on Cadalyst.com for details.

First Look Review -- Adobe Acrobat 3D: Acrobat 3D converts many popular CAD and DCC file formats and retains the product structure hierarchy of the original data.

MCAD Modeling Methods (Column) -- 3D Rapid Prototyping Systems: Rapid prototyping systems deliver parts that come close to matching the real thing.

Cadalyst Daily Update! For all the latest news and new products, subscribe to Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Plus, every issue includes a feature you won’t find anywhere else -- hardware and CAD software reviews, success stories, AutoCAD tips and much more! Here’s a sample of what you missed in the past week: