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Product category: 3D CAD software
News Release from: IronCAD | Subject: Ironcad Version 10
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 13 November 2007

CAD software offers speed boost

Ironcad Version 10 can create 2D views from 3D models up to 10 times faster than previous releases, especially when working with large assemblies.

IronCAD has released Ironcad Version 10, combining history-based parametrics and direct geometry manipulation into a modelling system that gives users greater design freedom Version 10 offers major improvements to large assembly performance in 3D and 2D, a redesigned interface and updated capabilities for advanced rendering

Dramatic improvements have been made to visualisation, specifically large assembly interaction, with the aid of Hoops technology from Tech Soft 3D.

As a result, 3D rotation and camera selection in Ironcad has improved real-time interaction by taking advantage of the latest OpenGL and Direct3D graphics drivers.

Hoops also allows Ironcad to perform Quick Visual Loading, a feature where users can manipulate camera tools and interact with a model as it loads by using a multithreaded load process.

This means designers and engineers can set specific camera angles before working on a model.

Two-dimensional technical drawing views also benefit from Hoops integration.

Ironcad Version 10 can create 2D views from 3D models up to 10 times faster than previous releases, especially when working with large assemblies.

Ironcad's updated interface is designed to give more fluid navigation through the design environment.

The new Quick Access Property Browser enables engineers to access property information and commands pertaining to selected geometry at any time.

Changing the selection level of the geometry changes the contents of the Quick Access Property Browser.

Because only relevant information is displayed, users spend less time searching through menus and toolbars.

This reduces Ironcad's learning curve by making it easy to discern the next design step.

Ironcad Version 10 also incorporates a new realistic rendering engine.

It will be added to Ironcad's existing rendering modes, allowing engineers and designers to produce photo-realistic visuals.

Users will have precise control of their 3D environment with advanced options like Global Illumination, Radiosity and Caustics.

This new rendering engine also supports high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) environment maps, which can dramatically improve renderings by producing more realistic reflections and lighting effects.

These new capabilities allow customers to produce photo-realistic concepts and documentation for use in presentations or standard communication to customers.

Users can also take advantage of 3D PDFs with a new export option to create Adobe Acrobat 3D PDF files.

Three-dimensional PDF files enable users to collaborate in 3D, regardless of what CAD system they operate, facilitating open communication that leads to better engineering productivity by sharing Adobe PDF files containing precise geometry and product manufacturing information.

New features to Ironcad's 2D sketching environment include additional constraint options that allow engineers and designers the ability to exercise more control over geometry.

Coincident, fixed and Smart Constraints are some of the new options available.

Smart Constraints automatically place common constraints on elements like chamfers, fillets, polygons, rectangles and parallelograms, along with tangent geometry.

And as constraints are added, IronCAD will display an element's constraint status based on the degrees of freedom within a sketch.

Depending on constraint status, a sketch element will either be red (over defined), white (under defined), or green (well defined).

These three status markers help engineers anticipate how constrained sketches will react to changes in geometry.

Additional sketch enhancements include Reference Snapping, a new feature that allows users to reference 3D geometry on a 2D sketch plane without having to project 3D edges.

This works by placing the mouse cursor over a 3D element.

By keeping the cursor over the 3D element momentarily, a reference indicator for the element appears on the sketch plane.

Indicators created in this manner can be used by SmartSnap to align elements in the 2D plane.

In addition to sketch environment enhancements, updates to the 3D environment, like collision detection, have been added based on customer feedback.

Collision detection works in Ironcad's Mechanism Mode to detect collisions between user-specified components, or between all components in the scene.

Once a collision occurs, its area is highlighted.

Additional actions that can execute on a collision include stopping object motion or playing a sound, making it easy for users to identify unexpected problems in a model.

Ironcad Version 10 will support import and export of Granite 4.0, Wildfire 3.0, Parasolid 19 and ACIS 17.

Add-on translation enhancements include new import and export options for Unigraphics version 11-18 and NX1-NX4.

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