SpaceClaim Corp., a provider of 3D design solutions, announced the introduction of its SpaceClaim LT (USD $695) and LTX (USD $895) 3D design products, and in the process, has established state-of-the-art solid modeling as a companion to existing design workflow. For the first time, anybody can work in 3D without the hindrances of the traditional CAD learning curve and associated CAD costs.
SpaceClaim LT and LTX are ideal for designers, architects and engineers who already have efficient and cost-effective 2D tools, as well as hobbyists who would take advantage of affordable 3D design software. SpaceClaim’s general-purpose solid modeling adds value to existing processes, enabling customers to combine 2D and 3D techniques to enhance the vast breadth of use cases where 2D tools - such as the AutoCAD family of products.
SpaceClaim LT and LTX feature the ability to:
• Quickly create 3D solid models
• Open, edit, and document 3D solid models from colleagues, suppliers, and customers
• Bring 2D drawings into 3D to improve communication and accuracy
SpaceClaim LT and LTX leverage the identical software architecture and technology of the company’s flagship design system, SpaceClaim Professional 2007+, providing users a revolutionary solid modeling environment with a modern user interface. Unlike traditional history-based modelers that require operators to be trained in feature programming, SpaceClaim delivers a radical new paradigm for creating 3D solid models. SpaceClaim models can easily be moved into popular 2D and 3D offerings, where they can be further documented, manipulated, and rendered.
“I’m thrilled about SpaceClaim LT and LTX for the metal working industry,” said Dan White, President of Keuka Studios, a custom fabricator of architectural iron work. “Much of this industry is based in 2D, and SpaceClaim appears to be the first 3D tool that’s practical for our business.”
“SpaceClaim is accessible to all designers, regardless of their trade, while traditional solid modeling systems tend to require dedicated operators running domain-specific, vertical applications,” said Mike Payne, SpaceClaim Chief Executive Officer. “We’re making 3D as straightforward to use as 2D and therefore we expect it to become as ubiquitous.”
The main differences between SpaceClaim’s products are import and export capabilities, as well as some options and services that are available with SpaceClaim Professional 2007+. SpaceClaim LT provides import of STEP, IGES, DXF, DWG, BMP, JPG and PNG file formats and export of DXF, DWG, XAML, STL, VRML, BMP, JPG and PNG file formats. SpaceClaim LTX provides these capabilities as well as export of STEP and IGES files for other 3D systems.
SpaceClaim LT and LTX customers can apply 50% of the cost of SpaceClaim LT or LTX toward the purchase of SpaceClaim Professional 2007+ within the first six months. SpaceClaim 2007+ includes a range of modules such as 3D data exchange (including Rhino and other popular mechanical CAD formats), CATIA, JT Open, sheet metal, TraceParts standard parts library, ECAD and ANSYS integration.
Available immediately, SpaceClaim LT and LTX are offered in English, Japanese, German, French, Korean, Italian, Traditional and Simplified Chinese languages and can be purchased online through SpaceClaim and its network of resellers. Regional pricing is available online.
Commentary By Jeffrey Rowe, Editor
Although less than a year since I became aware of it and its initial product launch, SpaceClaim, the company, has been a busy place the past few weeks. First some of its employees were cut loose, including COO Mike McGuinness who departed. However, this alone isn’t all that unusual for companies at this stage in their lives, as well as cutting costs to appease the venture capitalists funding the company. Then came this announcement for the lower cost products with import/export capabilities being the main differentiators between them.
According to the company, SpaceClaim LT uses the same software architecture as the flagship product, SpaceClaim Professional 2007+; the main differences being the import/export capabilities. With SpaceClaim LT you can import STEP, IGES, DXF, and DWG file formats; and export DXF, DWG, XAML, STL, VRML, BMP, JPG, and PNG file formats. SpaceClaim LTX is identical to SpaceClaim LT with the additional ability to export STEP and IGES files for other 3D systems. That’s a lot of formats, and thankfully, SpaceClaim has not felt it necessary to burden us with yet another proprietary one.
For both SpaceClaim LT and SpaceClaim LTX, live support is not included, maintenance is not offered, and service packs are included through to the next release only. There’s also no API support for either of the new products, so no add-ins. However, this is probably intentional – if you could tack on enough add-ins via the API, why would you need SpaceClaim Professional? Even with these limitations, both of the products seem like reasonable deals when cost and level of functionality weigh in. They’re even less expensive than some 2D CAD packages, including AutoCAD LT’s retail price.
Will the new products be enough this time around and give SpaceClaim some much-needed market presence? That’s hard to say because it’s a much different world in the MCAD market than it was 20, 10, 5, or even 2 years ago. That is to say, the MCAD market has become much more competitive.
Targeted at the casual CAD user, SpaceClaim’s products have ACIS as its underlying geometric modeling kernel (not that that makes a huge difference anymore). From the beginning, one of the main focuses of the product was to make it as intuitive as possible for users new to CAD or those who had experienced difficulties with it in the past, meaning that it was “designer oriented,” and not necessarily “operator oriented.” It has an “open” ASCII-readable product structure and can be used in using top-down or bottom-up design methods. It could be used as a standalone design product or in a complementary role alongside another MCAD application, such as SolidWorks, and the company thus far has really stressed the latter role. This is one of the difficulties I have had with SpaceClaim since the start, namely, having to purchase an additional CAD product to supplement one I already have.
Is SpaceClaim Professional as intuitive as the company insists? I’m not going to speculate on that one until I have some personal hands-on experience with it; and I hope to do so in the coming weeks.
Will SpaceClaim succeed where others have also succeeded, but also where many have failed? That’s really a loaded question for a number of different reasons. I would have to say, that while the odds are against it, you can’t say they’re not trying to make it. The company has been heavily scrutinized by industry pundits and the competition, but appears to have remained resilient. There is still an untapped resource of future revenue from current 2D users and every vendor is going after them, and this is where SpaceClaim LT and LTX might do well. Does the MCAD market really need another product? That’s for the market to decide.
The Week’s Top 5
At MCADCafé we track many things, including the stories that have attracted the most interest from our subscribers. Below are the five news items that were the most viewed during last week.
CATIA Used to Design Majority of Vehicles Introduced at 2008 North American International Auto Show
Dassault Systemes announced that CATIA was used in the development of nearly 75 percent of the introductory and concept vehicles launched at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) taking place in Detroit. In ten years, the number of new vehicle models has increased by 33 percent. The latest release of CATIA empowers powertrain and chassis designers with the debut of breakthrough auto-draft capabilities, as well as introducing end-to-end industry process coverage for composite design to manufacturing, electrical harness creation and documentation, and printed circuit-board design. It also consolidates functional modeling support for the design of complex machined parts, extending the approach to more manufacturing processes.
Cimatron and Gibbs Complete Merger
Cimatron Limited, a provider of integrated CAD/CAM solutions for the toolmaking and manufacturing industries, and Gibbs System, Inc., also known as Gibbs & Associates, developer of GibbsCAM, software for programming CNC machine tools, announced they have completed the merger of Gibbs into a newly established US subsidiary of Cimatron, as previously announced on January 2, 2008.
SolidWorks Labs More Than Doubles Its Emerging Technology Offerings
SolidWorks Labs has more than doubled the number of free experimental software offerings since its February 2007 launch. SolidWorks Labs ( http://labs.solidworks.com) has had nearly 100,000 visitors coming to experience, assess, and critique the emerging technologies offered by SolidWorks’ R&D division. Some of the new offerings include:
o A SolidWorks Labs Gallery to showcase the creations generated by SolidWorks Labs visitors using the modeling and rendering tools on the site.
o iPhone support for Drawings Now, the online sharing service for engineering drawings.
o CB Model Pro, a 3D modeling program that lets anyone, CAD user or not, develop 3D graphical models by simply virtually squeezing, pulling, flattening organic shapes. It acts like digital clay.
o A Showcase Widget that lets users create slideshows of their SolidWorks designs simply by pointing to a folder of designs.
o A WatchIt Widget that lets users keep track of which files are changing on a system, drive, or folder. Call it mini-PDM for everyone.
o 3D ContentCentral Search tools, which embed a part search into users' Web browsers.
FTI Announces agreement with Magna
Forming Technologies Inc. (FTI), a developer of software for the design, simulation, and costing of sheet metal components, and Magna International, a global supplier of technologically-advanced automotive systems, components and complete modules, announced the renewal of their Corporate Wide Agreement designed to further enhance Magna’s global purchasing strategies. “This agreement will continue to provide Magna the ability to utilize our Best in Class formability and cost reduction solutions throughout the Magna Group of companies as well as compliment their global procurement strategies.” states Michael Gallagher, VP of Sales and Marketing, Forming Technologies.
Dassault Systemes Partners with Integware
Dassault Systemes announced a business alliance agreement with Integware, a PLM services and solutions provider for the life sciences and consumer packaged goods markets. Integware will become a gold partner in the DS Component Application Architecture (CAA) Software Community Program expanding DS's footprint in key industries. The two companies will work together to develop solutions for companies that will combine ENOVIA's PLM technology with Integware's experience in implementation and solution development with companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Abbott.
Jeffrey Rowe is the editor of MCADCafé and MCAD Weekly Review. He can be reached at Email Contact or 408.850.9230.
This Week
Lead Story
SpaceClaim Releases New Products
Product and Company News
The CAD Society Seeks Nominations for 2008 Awards
Siemens PLM Software Receives Frost & Sullivan Growth Strategy Leadership Award for PLM Software
EMA Bridges Mechanical and Electrical Design for a Complete Product Development System
MSC Software Strengthens Position In Thermal Management Markets With Acquisition Of Network Analysis
Mizuno Uses Pro/ENGINEER to Design Its Latest Golf Club
FIRST Unveils New Game at 2008 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff
Battelle Pioneers New Corporate Engagement Model for Deploying PTC Global Education Program for Engineering
Keys to learning the nuances new CAD software
Fluid Simulation Reduces Extractor Hood Design Time
CD-adapco Names CAE Guru Winner
Stratasys to Transition out of Arcam Distribution in Wake of High Demand for FDM Products
MTS Systems Uses SolidWorks to Accelerate Custom Configuration of Testing Equipment
Visual Numerics Releases Updated IMSL C# and JMSL Numerical Libraries
Delcam Speeds Prototype Into Production
Grand River Group Expedites Catalog Updates and Production with PTC Arbortext Dynamic Publishing Software
Cyclone Power Technologies' Clean Green Engine Featured in SolidWorks Podcast
Neilsoft launches CADiSON in India
Aberdeen Study Finds Invention Machine Customers Achieve High Revenue Growth Through Product Innovation
NVIDIA Advances the State of Graphics for CAD and DCC Visualization
Delcam nominated for MIA "Service to the Industry" Award
Catalog Data Solutions CAD Download Solution Adopted by Assured Automation
American Precision Prototyping Purchases Viper Pro SLA System
SoftInWay Appoints Design Tech Systems as AxSTREAM Distributor to Expand Sales and Support Coverage in India
Delcam adds new options for press tool design
Actify Renews Contract With Distributor 3D View GmbH
WorkNC used by winners of Mori Seiki’s Cutting Dream Contest
SoftinWay Unveils New, Interactive Web Site for AxSTREAM, CFD and FEA Engineering Services
Centric Software Secures $14 Million Series B Financing
ViaCAD Pro Now Shipping
Radan and Edgecam Help Fife Fabrications
Tecplot Focus 2008 Released
Pointwise Partners with DreeseCode Software
Related MCAD News
Compliance and Traceability in Manufacturing
Top Product Innovation Strategies Identified
Sandio 3D Mouse - A New-Generation Input Device
ASRC Aerospace Contributes to NASA's Constellation System
Applied Robotics Introduces New Closed-Loop Smart Gripper
HP to Reduce PC Energy Usage by 25 Percent, Leads Industry in EPEAT-Gold Products
Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast Celebrates 100-Year Anniversary
AMD Introduces ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3000 Series Microsoft DirectX 10.1 Graphics Processors for Notebook PCs
Dell Continues to Simplify Storage for SMBs
Korean Institute of Industrial Technology Licenses Evolution Robotics' ViPR Vision Recognition Technology
Delphi Announces Launch of Exit Financing
Fuel Tech Responds to Report
Acu-Cast Technologies Doubles its 3D Systems' Pro Parts Manufacturing Capacity
3DXplorer to Change Web Landscape
Corporate Moves
Innova Robotics & Automation Announces Board Changes
Centric Software Names New VP
Industry Events
PTC to Host Q1 2008 Results Conference Call and Webcast
Avatech Solutions Presents Free Autodesk Inventor Workshops
Registration Ramping up for 2008 3D Collaboration & Interoperability Conference
Arena Solutions Founder/CTO Presenting at SolidWorks WORLD 2008
ESPRIT 2008, by DP Technology, to be exhibited at SolidWorks World 2008, San Diego, Calif., Jan. 20-23
Showcasing CAMWorks and DFMPro at SolidWorks World 2008
Edgecam to be showcased at SolidWorks World 2008
CCE To Showcase ConfigLink and EnSuite At SolidWorks World
SolidNEST to be exhibited at SolidWorks World 2008
2008 STAR European Conference
Delcam to show latest PartMaker SwissCAM at SIMODEC
Adept Technology to Preview New Packaging Software Technology at ATX West
Corporate Newsletters
ACSON Corporate Newsletter January 2008