The explosion of 3D design tools in recent years has inspired a corresponding surge in software for viewing three-dimensional files and collaborating with peers, and recent developments have brought even more innovations into the market.
A new entrant in 3D collaboration is Dassault Systemes' 3D Live product, which was deployed in beta version in June 2006 and recently became available in commercial release. Dassault is using a Web-based approach to enable collaboration among geographically scattered workers, allowing users to access a Web interface and conduct a search for any 3D part, assembly, or product record. The search feature is a cornerstone of the new release and presents users with a more intuitive means of tracking down 3D data, the company says.
The 3D Live tool will work not only with Dassault's own DELMIA, SIMULIA, and CATIA applications, but also with the CAD systems of competing vendors, Dassault President and CEO Bernard Charles told analysts on an April earnings conference call. Charles did not specify which non-native products would be compatible with 3D Live.
In addition, in mid-June Dassault Systemes' unit SolidWorks Corp. introduced its SolidWorks 2008 release of its 3D CAD software. Improved user interface, workflow, and data management features let designers quickly create, share, and modify their designs, test them for reliability and manufacturability, and find and download existing designs to save time and money. The software generates accurate 2D renditions of the 3D designs, eliminating rework orders from the factory floor, said SolidWorks CEO John McEleney in an interview with Managing Automation.