CAD: We Have Non-Autodesk CAD Release News ...

We look at some non-Autodesk CAD applications for our readers.

Here at Kung Fu Drafter we are admitted Autodesk fanboys. Part of it is just a matter of environment since we are AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Map 3D users. The rest of it is just that we do in fact prefer Autodesk products to other CAD applications. Of course, that is not to say that we do not realize that there are other very popular CAD applications out there. So today, we want to look at some information recently released for three of those applications.

The Open Design Alliance supports a universal CAD file format ...

The first release we want is DGNdirect for the Open Design Alliance Platform. The ODA Platform is software package developed by the ODA to give members, institutes and students a graphic application designed specifically for CAD and technical graphics. Now with the release of DGNdirect users will be able to create, edit and render CAD drawings in both the MicroStation V7 and V8 DGN file formats. This release complements several other flavors of the ODA Platform including DWGdirect.

DSS's SolidWorks is one of the fast growing CAD applications ...Next, we have Service Pack 1 for SolidWorks 2010. Dessault Systemes SolidWorks’ flagship product has seen some great expansions in its user-base in the past year and Service Pack 1 will make all of those users very happy. Issues resolved in Service Pack 1 include display errors, incorrect colors in applied textures and tolerance settings to name just a few. This service pack is available to registered users of the application including trial users. Service Pack 1 represents the seventh service pack for SolidWorks 2010 since the release of version Alpha 1.

The newest addition ot the line of Carlson software products ...Last on the list is a new product from Carlson. Carlson Construction 2010 is powerful new addition to the Carlson line of software. This new entry offers powerful tools for design and surface modeling for surveyors, PE’s, contractors and drafters for the production of site and road projects. Carlson Construction 2010 is able to import a variety of file formats including PDF, DWG and DGN. Users will not be only be able to import multiple file formats but also be able to export to “most all machine control systems”. Users will also find the “cleanup” tools for DWG and DGN files useful when exporting files for machine control grading.

So there you have it, three non-Autodesk related bits of information. If you are a dedicated user of a CAD, application other than an Autodesk product, leave us a comment. We would love to know what topics we should perk our ears up for to better serve our readers. In the future, we will try to address a wider range of topics concerning non-Autodesk products. Well, we promise to try to try …

- KFD -