CADKEY Workshop V21 Modeling Software Has New Integrated Advanced Surface Modeling and Automated Feature, Fastener and Structural Shape Generation at No Additional Cost

Marlborough, MA - January 20, 2003 - CADKEY Corporation, a leading developer of Windows®-based mechanical design and drafting software used by mechanical design and manufacturing professionals worldwide for nearly two decades, announced today that it is shipping Version 21 of CADKEY Workshop™ Modeling Software. Version 21 is a major enhancement release of the company’s flagship, geometry-based, Windows freeform CAD solution. CADKEY Workshop V21 adds the power of advanced surface modeling to its solid modeling engine at no additional cost. Surfacing functions include skinning/lofting, draft, swept, filleting, variable and constant radius filleting, surface editing and trimming tools, core/cavity splitting, curvature analysis, and more. Automated generation of features, fasteners and structural shapes as well as new advanced rendering has also been added. The product will debut at the National Design Engineering Show (NDES), March 3-6, Booth # 7108 (South Hall), as part of National Manufacturing Week at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.

CADKEY Workshop Version 21 is the second major software release to utilize the company’s all-new architecture. It is a complete freeform modeling solution that combines drafting, wireframe, freeform solid modeling, advanced freeform surface modeling, assembly modeling and mechanical libraries into one product, providing the customer with a choice of design tools. Version 21 has been expanded with critical enhancements that increase productivity and accuracy for Mechanical Designers and Manufacturing Engineers in the design of tooling, machinery, fixtures, molds, dies, and complex machines. The new version essentially combines three products into one by integrating significant functionality from the company’s FastSURF® advanced freeform surface modeling product, which previously sold separately for $ 995 USD, and DRAFT-PAK®, which previously sold separately for $ 595 USD, into CADKEY Workshop.

Robert W. Bean, P.E., President and CEO of CADKEY Corporation, states, “I have been directly involved with the development and testing of Version 21 and I continue to be impressed with what our new surface and solid modeling tools can do. Other mid-range design products rely on solution partners for advanced surface modeling functionality; this technology is typically not well integrated and is sold separately for thousands of dollars. With CADKEY Workshop, the technology is not only integrated, it has been added with no price increase. Users now have the power to model anything in CADKEY Workshop. Given the current economy, this is an unbelievable value.”

Surface Modeling Enhancements

CADKEY Workshop Version 21 has integrated advanced surfacing capabilities from FastSURF that allows users to create and modify freeform and organic surfaces. New functions not previously found in FastSURF have also been added, which include core and cavity splitting, curvature analysis and more. Advanced surface modeling functions such as trimming, drilling and offsetting work on the same ACIS® database as solid modeling functions, avoiding the need to transfer entities from one form to another (FastSURF Surface to/from ACIS Sheet Body). Further, all surface functions can now directly work on solid faces or sheet bodies created with solid functions and vice-versa. The new capabilities of CADKEY Workshop V21 allow users to access any modeling tool (2D, 3D wireframe, surface or solid) at any time during the design process, giving users the flexibility to model any part or assembly they need to design. And, since all of these tools use a pure geometry foundation, any imported model geometry (surface, solid or wireframe) from any other CAD system can be edited as if created natively in CADKEY Workshop.

Automated Mechanical Design Utilities

Enhancements found in CADKEY Workshop include the integration of Machinery’s Handbook-type automated functions that generate fasteners, features and structural shapes instantly, based on ANSI, ISO or DIN standards, via dimension-driven formulas using a real-time preview window. These automated routines speed design time and help reduce errors that can occur when drawing components manually each time. This technology was formerly found in the company’s popular DRAFT-PAK product. Version 21 also adds numerous feature and fastener improvements not previously implemented in DRAFT-PAK. For example, thread representation can now be controlled as a view mode (no threads, simple threads, schematic threads, or detail threads) for display flexibility. Further, the creation of cosmetic detail helical detail threads has been added.

Advanced Rendering and Other Enhancements

Enhancements also include new advanced rendering capabilities, such as options for setting transparency and material for faces as well as camera lights, light markers and light intensity. Lights, fasteners, features, structural shapes and sheet bodies (surfaces) have been added as new entity types for better integration and to allow users the option to work on those objects with general commands like edit, move or masking. The new entity types are displayed in the masking list to allow for easy sorting during selection. A new print stamping function along with several new print options have been added for controlling and modifying print configurations. A new capability has also been added to export CGM files. Numerous improvements have been made in performance, printing and section view generation.

CADKEY Workshop V21 provides a comprehensive design solution that allows manufacturing professionals to create, import, and edit three-dimensional models and drawings easier than ever before. Unique features that set CADKEY Workshop’s freeform modeling apart from other CAD software products are a Pure Geometry™ foundation (architecture), a versatile assembly management and data organization structure, a comprehensive dimensional accuracy assurance system and integrated advanced freeform surface modeling. CADKEY Workshop is optimized to run in Microsoft® Windows® XP / 2000 / NT 4 and sells for $3,000 USD, which includes a one-year Annual Update Contract.

CADKEY GraphX™ V21

Another product released in the Version 21 product line is CADKEY GraphX V21 2D/3D professional mechanical drawing software for drafters, mechanical design engineers and manufacturing engineers. It is ideal for users who do not need to design using solid modeling. CADKEY GraphX is sold separately at $1,000 USD, which includes an Annual Update Contract. The product allows users to quickly create accurate drawings from scratch or generate drawings from solid, surface and polygon models that are imported from other systems, including ACIS® and Parasolid® models. It utilizes "intelligent" dimensioning on native or imported drawings to help prevent costly manufacturing errors and allows users to run third-party add-on software for extended power. Industry-standard data translators (DWG, DXF™, ACIS-SAT, Parasolid X_T, STEP, IGES, STL, VRML) are included. Version 21 enhancements include automated wireframe fastener and feature hole libraries and structural shape routines formerly found in DRAFT-PAK as well as advanced rendering.

Purchasing and Support

The entire line of CADKEY products and services is sold through Authorized CADKEY Value-Added Resellers (VARs) worldwide and via the CADKEY WebStore at http://www.cadkey.com/webstore for USA/Canada customers. For VAR referral in the USA/Canada, call CADKEY Corporation at 800-372-3872. International Customers can call 508-229-2020 for referral to a local International Distributor. For more detailed product information or to view demo movies go to http://www.cadkey.com/products. Technical support and training programs are offered through Authorized CADKEY VARs. Technical support is also available via the Web site: http://www.cadkey.com, Email: support@cadkey.com and FAX: 508-460-0724. For Academic sales and pricing, contact Tech Ed Concepts, CADKEY North American Academic Distributors, at 800-338-2238 / 603-224-8324 or visit http://www.TECedu.com.

About CADKEY Corporation

CADKEY Corporation, a CAD/CAM company headquartered in the Boston area, develops and markets the CADKEY® product line used by design and manufacturing professionals worldwide. The company offers its entire product line, training materials and movies, and best-in-class e-Partner CAD/CAM enhancement products for engineers at http://www.cadkey.com/webstore. Dedicated to serving mechanical and manufacturing engineers, CADKEY Corporation's software development efforts focus on innovative freeform geometry-based modeling products. With over 295,000 copies shipped worldwide, CADKEY Corporation's time-proven products are among the most widely used in the global marketplace in more than 40 countries. For late-breaking news, visit the award-winning CADKEY World Wide Web site at http://www.cadkey.com.

 

Contact: Lizabeth Rombek, CADKEY Corporation (508) 229-2020, Email: Liz@cadkey.com