There would still be a couple of options for VW to Shark. One would be to export SAT from VW and use existing Shark import translators. The other would be to export Parasolids from VW, but we would have to wait for Tim to update Shark and VC to the ACIS V19 kernel as I think that is the first version with a Parasolids/Solidworks import/export translator.

It is a big deal that VW has moved to Parasolids with the 2009 edition though I don't particularly see any huge advantage of Parasolids vs ACIS in this particular market, especially with some of the functionality that ACIS now offers.

Funny how Dassault Systemes owns Spatial Technology (ACIS), but none of its own products use it, and Solidworks uses Parasolids which is owned by Siemens (UGS).

PTC is officially up for sale after a binge of acquisitions with an asking price of $2B, which according to some, is a good deal just to get the customer list.

Crazy world.

tom

That made my day!

tom

SpaceClaim uses the ACIS kernel as well, though I'd speculate that they built their own constraint manager. UGS NX and SolidEdge now have similar capabilities, and PTC's purchase of CoCreate could see those same functionalities migrate to Pro/e.

It looks like the future.

tom

Thanks for the education on Spaceclaim and push-pull functionality in general. I read something to the effect that the original SpaceClaim marketing failed (a lease or equivalent) and that was a major setback. Otherwise, I hadn't been following them.

tom

NX 6 will put that the OS X issue to rest, and NX 7 will bring the simulation. Even Solidworks is finally bumping into reality. Rate of seat sales is down, and now subsriptions become even more important to their earnings. They are trying to push a new back maintenance program (which works like an accrual of 1/2 of whatever you would have owed) and this is meeting stiff resistance. It's also very difficult (impossible?) to push a design up from an older version, and back down from the newer, and with the bugs in 2008, a common complaint, some of the lesser known packages, Alibre and IronCAD as an example, are looking a bit better especially to single users, and Inventor LT at a reported $995 could be devastating to Solidworks (the company).

SpaceClaim picked a lousy time to start an MCAD company, regardless of its ease of use claims.

This all bodes well for VC and Shark, as the features are quite broad, cost low, usability excellent, and best of all, cross platform.

tom

Yes- I'm still completely confused why the heavies won't budge from Windows. :confused: I really salute Siemens for supporting other platforms. It the way it should be.

Do you know Mono? Mono could be the answer?!

Also check this guy out. This looks like really good 2D software (actually if you read the small print, you find that this is rather significant too! AutoCAD?? :eek:)- and he wants beta-testers too :cool:

What do you mean beginning to sound like?....I am already! :cool:

But you see Paul, I use both platforms anyway. I know both inside out. I bet that you only use Windows? Having used and carry on using both, Mac OSX is simply the clear overall winner on both ease of use and productivity- simple as that. CAD is the only area where I need to use Windows, so I'd far rather stay in one system.

It's also worth mentioning that I have now, despite having spent much money on anti-viral software, spent hours trying to disinfect this copy of Windows from trojan horses and viruses. Whereas on Mac OS X I have NEVER had any such trouble. That speaks volumes doesn't it?

PS, Rhino is also available for Mac ;)

I spoke with Unigraphics a week or so back about NX6 for Mac. The current word is that it is still at least 6 months out, and they are not yet into beta testing. This is the same line that they have been giving since I think 2005 when the OS X version was first announced. The marketing guy I spoke to sounded exasperated about the situation.

When (if) it is ever released pricing is likely to be around $5k for a seat. Very comparable with SolidWorks.

I second that!!

Luis G.