ThinkDesign 2009.1 CAD Suite Released by think3

By DE Editors

Think3’s ThinkDesign 2009.1 CAD products include new features for the creation of frame elements for the industrial machinery market, improvements to commands for curve and surface editing, enhancements in the sheet metal functionalities, and other new features for the machinery and components sectors.

Version 2009.1 introduces the Frame functionality, a fully integrated module of ThinkDesign, which is a sketch-based method that facilitates the creation of frame elements. The Frame module simplifies the process of creating frame structures.

The new Hole command has been redesigned, offering greater ease of use and completeness with respect to standards. It can be used for creating and redefining standard, simple, shaped, and free dimensional holes.

The new Mirror mode for curve and surface editing enables the user to maintain continuity of the curve/surface being edited with respect to the virtual mirror of the entity. Additional options under the Mirror mode node allow the user to define the type of continuity (Position, Tangent, or Smooth curvature) to be maintained about a user-selected plane.

ThinkDesign 2009.1 also introduces enhancements in the Global Modeling commands. With the Enhancement in Global Shape Modeling Transformation of Mesh, it is now possible to modify the original mesh.

The new GSM command called GSM Fillet Reduction enables the modification of a set of selected fillet surfaces by changing their curvature, while retaining the desired continuity along borders. It can be used to modify some high curvature areas to let the material fill properly during stamping.

Improvements have been made also in color management to provide better control over the application of colors and increase understanding in complex models. Different colors are now allowed for solid and solid faces.

The graphic environment has been enhanced with the new 3D Section View mode, the Planar Reflection option in High Quality rendering, the Shaded Drag&Drop for the visualization of components positioned in an assembly in shaded mode, and a set of other features that assist in the visualization of data.

A new Insert New Faces check box has been introduced in the Extend Faces/Close Solid command selection list which, upon activating, creates new faces to fill the selected holes.

For more information, visit think3, Inc.

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