CAD package evolves to parametric design

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 17, 2006

TurboCAD Professional Version 12 promises enormous value for mechanical engineers, delivering the most significant improvements ever packed into a TurboCAD upgrade.

Avanquest UK has released the latest version of IMSI's powerful CAD package TurboCAD Professional Version 12.

The latest version promises enormous value for architects and mechanical engineers delivering the most significant improvements ever packed into a TurboCAD upgrade.

In addition, new add-on modules including a specialised Mechanical Pack and Architectural Pack will be available for the first time with TurboCAD v12.

The new packs will allow users in specific disciplines to further enhance their design capabilities.

New and improved tools for 2D drafting and 3D modelling deliver new possibilities in mechanical and architectural design.

Improvements in rendering and the new support of LightWorks Archives result in even better visualisation capabilities.

New and adjustable tool palettes, context sensitive tools and intuitive work flow combine to increase productivity.

"TurboCAD v12 is definitely our best version yet", said Bob Mayer, Executive Vice President of IMSI.

"Improved interoperability, enhanced parametric architectural tools, and improved 3D modelling make this a highly desirable solution for professional designers".

"We are especially proud of the revamped Part Tree, which now effectively makes TurboCAD Professional a fully parametric design tool for the mechanical design market".

TurboCAD Professional v12 now lets the user apply material properties to individual facets of the same object and preview blends before committing to them.

More geometric constraints have been added to improve the relationship between 2D constraints and the resulting 3D derived designs.

A rebuilt Part Tree now gives a more complete view of part's history and parameters.

The specialised Mechanical Pack and Architectural Pack allow users in specific disciplines to further enhance their design capabilities.

Customers new to TurboCAD will be able to purchase a Mechanical or Architectural version of TurboCAD Professional 12 that will contain the appropriate pack free of charge.

Highlights of the Mechanical Pack include new bending, facet offset and hole tools, as well as a fully parametric and editable Part Tree and additional geometric constraints.

TurboCAD continues its strong commitment to interoperability by using the latest Open Drawing Alliance file libraries, allowing users access to over 30 of the most popular industry-standard file formats, including AutoCAD's DWG and DXF, DesignCAD's DCD, MicroStation DGN, 3DS, IGES, STEP and STL.

A newly added feature also supports the import and export of 3D files to and from DWF format.

Users can now publish designs into PNG and GIF file formats with included Alpha Channel for transparent backgrounds.

DXF, DWG and DGN input and output filters have also been updated in TurboCAD v12.

TurboCAD's improved PDF file export features now let users export paper spaces, including rendered Viewports, customise PDF fonts, True Type, SHX, paper widths and paper heights sections.

TurboCAD's customisable tool environment now lets the user display only those tools that are needed, freeing up valuable screen space for designing.

TurboCAD's new, context sensitive tools eliminate unnecessary prompts and steps by making intelligent assumptions about desired outcomes, resulting in increased speed and productivity in all aspects of drafting and design.

TurboCAD now offers even more ways to enhance drawings.

A new reflected gradient fill effect, colour transparency support, new environments and an ability to combine multiple materials and their effects into a single material, all allow for creation of more stunning and realistic drawings.

TurboCAD Professional v12 includes a complete software development kit (SDK) which now has XML-based definitions.