Midrange 3D Mechanical CAD Market to Top $401 Million in 2004, Up 9%, Researcher Says

The midrange 3D mechanical CAD market continues to flourish, reports the research firm Daratech. In 2004, the firm projects that the market for what it calls value-priced solids modelers will top $401 million, up 9% from 2003. It expects the market to gain momentum through 2008, growing 11% annually in that time frame.

Daratech expects a rising number of manufacturers who have received too little return on their high-end investment to seek lower-cost alternatives. Growth will also come from the vast number of 2D users who need a more efficient and cost-effective way to create products due to increased global competition and a finicky public still unwilling to spend. Improved 2D-to-3D compatibility has made it difficult for many small- to medium-sized manufacturers to ignore the productivity gains attainable with 3D, and as these organizations continue to come around, the value-priced market should thrive, says Daratech.