New 3D-Tool V8.5 to Communicate & Coordinate CAD Data

By DE Editors

3D-Tool (Heddesheim, Germany) provides a range of functionality to dynamically display and analyze 3D models, and to view 2D drawings. But 3D-Tool, which is said to be a professional and easy to use CAD Viewer, also enables all members of the project team, and external parties such as customers and suppliers, to dynamically check and evaluate your CAD models.

The new version 8.5 offers multiple strategies for publishing and distributing CAD models to anyone inside or outside of your company. 3D-Tool EXE-files contain the 3D-Tool viewer, the project data, and all annotations, dimensions, views, and animations created with 3D-Tool. The recipient can immediately run these EXE-files on any PC without having to install anything.

The recipient can view the model in 3D, make detailed measurements, create cross-sections, show and hide parts, explode assemblies, and print any view or export it as BMP/JPG-files.

3D-Tool DDD files are equal to EXE-files but they do not contain the 3D-Tool viewer. To view DDD files the recipient uses the 3D-Tool Free Viewer, which can be downloaded for free from the 3D-Tool website. The 3D-Tool Free Viewer will not only open all 3D-Tool EXE and DDD files, but also STL files. The Free Viewer will provide the full 3D-Tool functionality to the recipient.

3D PDF files can be opened and viewed dynamically in 3D using the free Acrobat Reader of version 7.07 or newer. 3D PDF files are suited for sending your models by e-mail to recipients, which are not allowed to run EXE-files or to install additional programs.

Besides publishing CAD-data using the 3D-Tool or 3D PDF format, 3D-Tool offers the conversion of CAD-data into STL, VRML and 3DS — so 3D-Tool can be also used as an interface between incompatible CAD systems.

3D-Tool V8.5 is available in two versions — Basic and Advanced. Both support the 2D formats DXF, DWG and HPGL; can be used in combination with Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA, Unigraphics, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Autodesk Inventor.

A free trial version 8.5 is downloadable from 3D-Tool.

For previous DE coverage, read “CAD Viewer for 3D and 2D CAD Data,” (Dec 2007).

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