Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Releases New 3D ContentCentral

By DE Editors

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp. added self-publishing and social networking to its 3D ContentCentral service. The online service includes self-publishing tools that enable suppliers to build catalogs of 3D models by clicking a mouse. New social networking tools let 3D ContentCentral users build Facebook-like communities of members for sharing knowledge on components and suppliers.

3D ContentCentral's new Supplier Services self-publishing section eliminates the cost and technical barriers to creating online catalogs of engineering parts models. It enables suppliers to create their product catalogs without relying on a third-party service provider. Among the key features of Supplier Services are:

• Embedded content management tools: a file upload program, content manager, supplier dashboard, and model preview and edit pages. They enable suppliers to build, update, and maintain catalogs.
• Streamlined supplier catalog templates and a check-box option for "featureless" downloads of supplier models that protect their intellectual property by hiding it from users.

3D ContentCentral 2009 features a revamped "My 3DCC" page that enables users to build communities for trading knowledge and experience. Among the key new features are:

• My Updates: Automatically keep users up to date on everyone in their community of contacts. For example, it notifies a user when a contact uploads a new 3D model, or contributes a comment to an online discussion.
• Favorites: Let users track specified users and parts catalogs without inviting them to become a contact.
• Rate and comment: Enables users to collaboratively evaluate model quality and share their experiences with one another.
• Requesting: Gives users a direct channel to suppliers so they can ask for modifications and new designs.
• Maps to suppliers: Google Maps integration in the search options helps users find the nearest component suppliers and OEMs.
• Advanced search tools: Help users find content more efficiently using guided navigation.

For more information, visit Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.