Retail CAD vendor
IMSI/Design, best known for TurboCAD, is conducting a public beta of a new variational sketching plug-in for AutoCAD. The
IDX Variable Constraint System provides designers and engineers unprecedented control over designs and operates seamlessly in AutoCAD. IMSI/Design says the product is the first variational sketching plug-in available for AutoCAD
Variational sketching, similar to the use of parametric constraints in mechanical CAD products, simplifies the process of doing “what-if” analysis. By constraining drawing elements geometrically and providing variables that drive dimensions, users can analyze design options in the same way one would analyze numerical options with a spreadsheet. Driving variables can be defined by values, relationships with other drawn elements, or through complex mathematical functions. IMSI/Design claims the tool will allow more work to be accomplished in less time, particularly for rapid revisions and the creation of part families.
IDX Variable Constraint System incorporates the D-Cubed 2D Dimensional Constraint Manager from Siemens PLM Software. This is the same core engine typically available in much more expensive parametric modeling programs including Autodesk Inventor, CATIA and SolidWorks by Dassault Systemes, and Solid Edge by Siemens PLM Software.
The IDX Variable Constraint System is currently available for AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD 2008 base editions. It will be priced at US $499, but is currently available for no charge through public beta at www.IDX-design.com.
--RSN