CAD upgrade claims all-round improvements

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 21, 2004

The latest version of TurboCAD is claimed to offer a new level of power and performance.

The latest version of TurboCAD is claimed to offer a new level of power and performance.

Using the new LightWorks 7.3 photorealistic rendering engine from LightWork Design, rendering performance is up to 40% faster than previous releases.

TurboCAD Professional version 10 also includes an updated version of Spatial's 3D ACIS R11 solid modelling engine.

The newer ACIS engine improves the solid modelling performance by up to 25%.

These performance enhancements combined with Spatial's 3D deformable modelling (using NURBS-based objects and powerful parametric architectural features), the design and presentation improvements plus the ability to use 2D tools while in rendered mode, make TurboCAD one of the best value CAD packages around today.

"Over the past 15 years, IMSI has been developing CAD products with the goal of creating a true professional-level CAD solution.

I am proud to say that, with the release of the TurboCAD version 10 product line, we have achieved that professional level of design sophistication, while maintaining TurboCAD's ease-of-use and affordability", says Bob Mayer, Executive Vice President of IMSI's Precision Design Division.

"Surface and solid modelling, industry-leading interoperability, LightWorks 7.3 photorealistic rendering, parametric architectural features and more than sixty new and improved features for both the AEC and mechanical design markets, make TurboCAD a professional-level design tool, with ease of use features that make it appeal to all CAD users", added Mayer.

Using the power of TurboCAD v10 Professional, users can construct intricate 3D objects with ease.

Based on the industry-standard ACIS Version 11 solid modelling engine, TurboCAD v10 Professional delivers powerful solid and surface modelling with a great deal of versatility.

The new drafting palette enables users to create 2D layouts of 3D models and assemblies in seconds and build layouts with multiple projections, complex sectional views, and derivative sectional views with just a few clicks.

New features include deformable modelling using NURBS, creation of solids from surfaces and surfaces from solids, axis scaling of all ACIS objects and a powerful drafting palette.

Other improved features include Step import/export filter, industry standard Iges filter and facet editing of ACIS 3D objects and surfaces.

"Spatial products power a wide range of applications in diverse markets", said Keith Mountain, Vice President of Marketing for Spatial.

"The new release of TurboCAD Professional version 10, takes full advantage of the increases in performance that we've built into our 3D ACIS R11 modeller and 3D deformable modelling components.

In addition, TurboCAD leverages Spatial's experience at providing interoperability solutions to provide a powerful application that end users will immediately appreciate", added Mountain.

Whether users start directly in TurboCAD or use the award-winning FloorPlan 3D software included with the program, they will have a complete suite of architectural tools that give them the power to design in 2D and 3D simultaneously.

New features include support for interior and exterior materials on walls, wall direction indicators to enhance materials selection and block insertion and the ability to convert lines, polylines, circles and curves into walls.

Roof editing, dimensioning and transform tools have also been improved.

TurboCAD Professional 10 is fluent in 28 of the most popular industry standard file formats including AutoCAD DWG/DXF, Microstation DGN, DesignCAD DCD, 3DS, Iges, Step and STL.

Users also have the option to publish designs to HTML, JPG and MTX.

This powerful program also includes a complete software development kit and a new Visual Basic macro recorder.

With over two million copies sold, TurboCAD software is used by those who need unmatched performance and ease of use in a desktop CAD application.

TurboCAD's comprehensive 2D power is seamlessly integrated with advanced 3D modelling in a familiar Windows environment.

Advanced tools specific to mechanical and architectural projects complement TurboCAD's superior general design tools, and its photorealistic rendering engine produces fast, professional results.

TurboCAD Professional and Deluxe version 10 are available at GBP 449.99 (Professional) and GBP 69.99 (Deluxe) from MediaGold and selected retail outlets.