Free 2D for all!
 http://www.solidapps.co.uk/SolidEdgeDraft_request.html

Announced last month and available to download for free from the SOLID Applications Ltd web site; Solid Edge 2D Drafting demonstrates UGS’ commitment to helping companies control costs. Whether you are using 2D company-wide or for specific 2D design processes, you will benefit from Solid Edge 2D Drafting. Solid Edge 2D Drafting capitalizes on 10 years of production-proven capabilities developed for Solid Edge, and offers excellent drawing layout, diagramming, annotation and dimensioning controls that automatically comply with a wide range of drafting standards. And it is absolutely FREE to download and use.

Solid Edge 2D Drafting includes a wealth of tools designed to ease the transition of 2D AutoCAD users updating to Solid Edge, including import wizards, WYSIWYG of imported files (matching of AutoCAD fonts and colour schemes) and many other capabilities that make it a compelling application for AutoCAD 2D users looking for more value and productivity from their 2D CAD seats

Quick Q&A

Q: Is it really free?
A: Yes. The product is free to download, install and use, however existing Solid Edge customers or new users wishing to get telephone support, download updates and gain access to the 2D Drafting API, may choose to take out the optional Maintenance Contract for a nominal annual fee.

Q: Is it a different product to the 2D drafting in Solid Edge Classic?
A: No. Apart from the commands required to create views and reports from 3D Models, Solid Edge 2D Drafting uses the same set of tools as Solid Edge Classic and all within the familiar Solid Edge environment. All the Sketching and annotation tools, block libraries, parametrics and productivity tools within the full 3D product are available within Free 2D.

Q: Someone has asked me to download Solid Edge 2D Drafting so they can send me drawings they create with the full version of Solid Edge. Can I open the files they send to me and can I see all the geometry?
A: Yes. Designed with collaboration in mind, Solid Edge 2D uses the same file format as the full 3D product. You may receive information from a company that uses Solid Edge for 3D design and drawing creation. You can open the drawings they produce from 3D models with the Solid Edge drafting software. Drawings created in Solid Edge 2D drafting can also be opened in the full Solid Edge product.

Q: Can I use Solid Edge 2D to layout and annotate drawings of 3D models created in the full Solid Edge Product.
A: No. 2D Drafting can view drawings created in the full 3D product but it is not possible to add any additional views, dimensions or annotations. This workflow is supported through the use of Solid Edge Design & Drafting (the entry level, cut down, version of Solid Edge Classic)

For more information or to download the fact sheets: http://www.solidapps.co.uk/SolidEdgeDraft_request.html

UGS Announce Teamcenter Express V2.0

“The release of Teamcenter Express Version 2 builds upon the robust design-centric collaborative Product Definition management (cPDm) functionality delivered in the product’s first release,” said Peter Bilello, director of Consulting Services, CIMdata. “Version 2’s additional capabilities, especially in the areas of manufacturing engineering and design collaboration support, are impressive and should prove to be valuable to those companies targeted by UGS’ Velocity Series.”
 

Key messages:

• XpresReview Package Exchange

• Teamcenter Express Manufacturing

• Teamcenter Express SAP option for easily deployed integration with SAP

• Expanded and updated support for Microsoft Dynamics ERP integrations

• Express Translation Services

• Teamcenter 2005 Platform

Special report next month.

Read the press release in full: http://tinyurl.co.uk/htbo

Korea’s LCD/Semiconductor Equipment Provider Selects Solid Edge and Teamcenter Express for Improved Design and Efficient Data Management

Meerecompany selected the Velocity Series products after a careful and detailed evaluation of several PLM solutions. Key selection factors were design productivity, assembly manipulation and functionality for drafting and ease of multi-CAD data management. Previously, Meerecompany did not have a systematic approach to managing data which caused delays and inefficiencies. The company recognized that the successful evolution from 2D to 3D CAD could not be achieved without efficient PDM due to the increased complexity.

“We were seeking 3D CAD to improve our design capability to meet our customer needs to market innovative products faster than our competitors,” said Jae Yun Yoo, vice president, Meerecompany. “To do that it was also critical to find a data management system that could manage our CAD data from separate systems efficiently. Solid Edge and Teamcenter Express met these requirements and as UGS Velocity Series products, they provide speed and ease of implementation, which adds further value.”

Read the press release in full: http://tinyurl.co.uk/swjr

Tip from the Helpdesk

AutoCAD 2007 uses a new DWG format which, again, AutoDesk have chosen to encrypt. As such Version 19 of Solid Edge is unable to read native AutoCAD files created in this version of the software. UGS expect that Solid Edge V20 will be able to read AutoCAD 2007 files.

If you are having problems importing data into Solid Edge from AutoCAD then the following tip may help you understand what version of AutoCAD created the file and whether you can expect Solid Edge to import it or not.

Locate the AutoCAD DWG or DXF file using Windows Explorer and using the RMB menu select 'Open With'. In the sub menu choose 'Select Program' and then scroll through the list until you find and select 'Notepad'.

Once opened in Notepad the first 6 characters in the .dwg file specify the version:

AC1009 - DWG from AutoCAD 11 / 12
AC1012 - DWG from AutoCAD 13
AC1014 - DWG from AutoCAD 14
AC1015 - DWG from AutoCAD 2000/2000i/2002
AC1018 - DWG from AutoCAD 2004/2005/2006
AC1021 - DWG AutoCAD 2007

For a .dxf it's the entry below the line $ACADVER

Are you up to date?

Solid Edge V19: Update 1 released 10th October 2006
Solid Edge V18: Update 8 released 5th Sept 2006
Solid Edge V17: Update 14 released 30th May 2006

Copyright 2006 SOLID Applications Ltd. All rights reserved

The statements in this newsletter that are not historical statements, including statements regarding expected benefits of the product, adoption by customers, continued innovation and other statements identified by forward looking terms such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate" or "project," are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, including, among others, risks relating to developments in the PLM industry, competition, failure to innovate and intellectual property. SAL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.