Cadalyst - January 2008 - (Page 24)

cadlabsreview tem varies other factors to achieve the desired target value of an engineering calculation. The results can also drive 3D geometry in a true hybrid 2D/3D design environment. Solid Edge 2D Drafting includes limited symbol libraries (a 2D library with the most popular symbols for mechanical/plumbing is included), though full block and library tools are available for the product. Because visualization features such as ray tracing, transparency, and reflection or refraction are beyond the scope of 2D design, you won’t find them here. What you will find are solid, wellconsidered 2D drafting tools presented in an interface that is easy to understand and use. The help system is well done and has depth; it includes a number of tutorials for specific features. Solid Edge 2D Drafting runs under either Windows XP or Vista and is available in 10 languages. The software is available online at www. solidedge.com/free2d, where you’ll also find more information about the product and the company itself. The download is approximately 250 MB; when you run the downloaded EXE file, you’ll need about 250 MB of temporary space for the installation, which is approximately 600 MB for the full install. Solid Edge 2D Drafting with purchased maintenance can be automated with Visual Basic and other languages, the caveat being that the customer must also have the full Solid Edge product. Solid Edge 2D Drafting is a subset of the full Solid Edge software and will not install on the same workstation as Solid Edge. Vdraft v2.21 SoftSource 800.877.1875 www.softsource.com Price: $250 SoftSource has been developing CAD drafting systems, translation, and commercial management software since 1982. For this roundup review, I looked at v2.21 of the Vdraft application. Little has changed since the last time I evaluated Vdraft, other than an original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-requested programming change. A new version of Vdraft with updates for Microsoft Vista is in the works, but it is not yet ready for evaluation. The instruction manual has Has Cadalyst Recently Written About Your Company? SOLUTIONS MCAD History vs. Nonhistory AEC Plant and Piping Design GIS Geospatial Learning CADALYST LABS REVIEWS IBM IntelliStation M50 9229MC1 Sun Microsystems Ultra 20 M2 MANAGEMENT Action Plans for the Workplace Place your press directly in the hands of your customers and prospects with custom reprints from Cadalyst. integrated publishing solutions 800.290.5460 cadalyst@theYGSgroup.com The YGS Group is the authorized provider of custom reprint products from Cadalyst. 24 January 2008 | cadalyst | www.cadalyst.com http://www.solidedge.com/free2d http://www.solidedge.com/free2d http://www.softsource.com http://www.cadopia.com http://www.cadopia.com http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - January 2008

Cadalyst - January 2008 Contents Editor's Window Cad Central Chasing the Dolphins CAD that Won’t Break the Bank AliasStudio 2008 — Design and Visualization Software VectorWorks 2008 — CAD/BIM Authoring Software Dell Precision M4300 — Mobile Workstation What’s in Store for 2008? Low- or No-Cost CAD Goliath Reinvented Doin’ the DEED Cad Cartoon Issue Indexes The Return of Hot Tip Harry

Cadalyst - January 2008

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