Siemens PLM Software has developed Synchronous Technology, a history-free, feature-based modeling technology the company says combines the best of constraint-driven techniques with direct modeling. The patent-pending technology is being integrated into the company's next versions of NX and Solid Edge software, with the first product slated to ship in summer 2008. The new technology simultaneously synchronizes geometry and rules through a decision-making inference engine. The result, says Siemens, is fast idea capture, fast design changes, improved multi-CAD reuse and a new user experience that makes 3D as easy to use as 2D. www.siemens.com
Engineering simulation software provider Ansys has released version 4.0 of its Fluent for Catia V5 rapid flow modeling software. This release adds new physics models to the software's analysis capabilities that extend the types of products for which performance optimization is possible. Key new features are species transport and cavitation modeling capabilities. The species transport model allows the modeling of mixtures of fluids with different properties. The cavitation modeling feature lets users predict when cavitation (the formation of cavities or bubbles) may occur in a variety of systems. www.ansys.com
Abaqus for Catia V5 R18 SP4 is now available from Dassault Systemes' Simulia brand of simulation solutions. The latest release provides improved usability and robust design analysis capabilities directly in Catia V5. New or enhanced capabilities include natural frequency analysis on the unloaded structure, or after any level of loading; and enhanced precision in setting up models involving contact. www.simulia.com
PTC has introduced FlexPLM 9.0, its retail, footwear and apparel product development solution. New capabilities and enhancements in this latest release include Adobe Illustrator design integration, which allows designers to create concept products in Illustrator while using FlexPLM color and material libraries. In addition, advanced planning features allow customers to create financial, creative, sourcing and material plans, and track line development against a specific plan. Availability of FlexPLM is slated for summer 2008. www.ptc.com
IP.com has announced InnovationQ 3.1, the latest release of its innovation and intellectual property management solution. The new version incorporates collaborative features, as well as new modules. In addition to existing invention disclosure and trade secret management modules, InnovationQ includes a publication clearance module, R&D collaboration module and a standards management module. IP.com configures user modules to customer specifications. www.ip.com
Aras, a Microsoft enterprise open source software solution provider, has launched Version 9 of its Innovator suite of model-based service-oriented architecture solutions for enterprise product lifecycle management. The new version includes single-system multi-language capabilities to support global collaboration. It also supports new Microsoft products, including SQL Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. www.aras.com
3Dpaintbrush from Geometric Ltd. helps create near photo-realistic images, animations and videos from existing computer-based 3D models. Features of the visualization software include the ability to import and combine 3D models from multiple sources, manipulate material properties, adjust light settings, add backgrounds and environments, and save the results in popular image formats. www.geometricglobal.com
Parasolid 19.1 is now available from Siemens PLM Software. The emphasis of the latest release is to provide support for sophisticated workflow operations. Enhancements to the geometric modeling component software include a new ability to perform hollow operations on a selected portion of a model as well as the ability to generate a surface from a sparse set of points and normal vectors. The new release also supports Apple's 64-bit OS X Leopard. www.siemens.com
See Also
