...and Spaceclaim is it's killer. This is incredibly exciting CAD software. With this program, you can fully edit Nurbs models without any construction history. Somehow the developers have created methods to identify "features" in what's considered to be a "feature-less" imported CAD model. So you can do all types of edits with imported data, such as :
- change fillet radii
- adjust shell thickness
- adjust draft angles
- move and/or duplicate ribs, holes, and bosses
- move/scale/rotate/bend selected faces
It seems to be no "smoke and mirrors" trick or false advertising. When you transform a selection of faces, holes, etc then all other joined faces follow those changes in real time. Features such as fillet maintain their tangency. All trimming is accurately rebuilt. Even when you move a hole out past the boundaries of it's neighboring B-reps, it rebuilds the model as if you'd booleaned that "feature" by intent. This program is also a Nurbs modeler, with support for such features as real-time symmetry.
Why am i excited? Because it was previously available as a "subscription" software with annual charge of US $1700. But now they have just released two other versions (LT for $695, and LTX for $895)... Spaceclaim LTX and Pro can import and export Rhino 3DM files directly. This means for any Nurbs modelers which can write 3DM files (Rhino, Amapi, MOI, etc...) there is no reason to create extra files to go into Spaceclaim. Drool over these videos...
http://www.spaceclaim.com/stream/vid...lysis_Demo.flv http://www.spaceclaim.com/Resources/...ino-Video.aspx http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...im&search_type=
I do not work for Spaceclaim. Just a person excited by the possibilites of this emerging technology. I see this as the future of CAD. And if it can save me hours of editing time for my work, I will be very happy. I'm planning to try the demo this week. Will report back my findings...
shorty
