SolidWorks Labs Adds Design Gallery, Second Life Island, and More

Online community reportedly doubled free experimental software offerings over the past year.

• a SolidWorks Labs Gallery that showcases creations generated by SolidWorks Labs visitors using the modeling and rendering tools on the site;

• iPhone support for Drawings Now, the online sharing service for engineering drawings (users can locate, zoom, and pan engineering drawings using Apple mobile devices);

• CB Model Pro, a 3D modeling program that allows individuals to develop 3D graphical models by virtually squeezing, pulling, and flattening organic shapes;

• a Showcase Widget that lets users create slideshows of SolidWorks designs by pointing to a folder of designs;

• a WatchIt Widget that lets users keep track of which files are changing on a system, drive, or folder;

• a SolidWorks Island in the Second Life virtual world;

• 3D ContentCentral Search tools, which embed a part search into users' Web browsers; and

• improved ZoomIn interface, layout, and materials selection, enabling users to create more dynamic presentations of SolidWorks models.

"We are continuing to create interesting experiences for SolidWorks users, and we're deeply interested in hearing about what users liked, didn't like, and what changes they would suggest," said Brian Harrison, director of SolidWorks Labs. "We've had a lot of action on the site and a lot of feedback, but there are still a lot of designers and engineers that are just now discovering SolidWorks Labs."

SolidWorks Labs was launched as an online destination that allows product designers and engineers to go behind the curtain of SolidWorks research and development. Visitors can tinker with emerging technologies, test-drive new SolidWorks functionality through a Web browser, and weigh in on product direction. All services and software are free. The site invites comments through a feedback link.