progeCAD 2022 Coming Soon: Free Upgrade Offer Begins

 

Sydney, Australia 7 September - CADDIT announces the free upgrade to 2022 version for all progeCAD purchases on or after 01 September 2021. progeCAD is a powerful general-purpose 2D and 3D CAD solution very similar to AutoCAD, with additional tools and a lower cost. With progeCAD, designers have a professional yet affordable perpetual-license alternative to high-cost AutoCAD rental fees, with the ability to create, read, write and edit native AutoCAD DWG and DXF files fluently using and interface very similar to what AutoCAD already know. Based in Sydney, CADDIT has been supporting progeCAD users in Australia, New Zealand and surrounds for more than twelve years.

 

Much of what will come in 2022 is still confidential but we have several detail which we can pass on now. Significant effort has been invested in making progeCAD 2022 a truly cutting-edge release that is stable and reliable from initial release. Many improvements are still confidential during an internal testing period. What we can expect are new features for the AEC industry with further improvements to BIM and REVIT compatibility, as well.  Many features are expected to be completely re-worked or refactored, such as the MTEXT and TABLE elements. Pursuant to last year's improvements in hardware acceleration, this year progeCAD 2022 release is expected to offer many new improvements in 3D view handling, modelling and new 3D content specifically targeted to architects and structural engineers working in steel. GUI customization will also be improved with several new commands.

 

A detailed list of these new features will be released soon, but we are delighted to share what we know now and begin offering the free upgrade to all customers. progeCAD 2021 can be downloaded now as a free 30-day trial. As in previous years, all new licenses as well as upgrades for existing licenses, including single stand-alone, floating NLM network, USB and total office licenses, purchased on or after 1 September 2021 will be entitled to the same for progeCAD 2022 upon our announcement. Multiple purchases will qualify for multiple upgrades. progeCAD Upgrades will also qualify, again as in the past. As in past, eligible users with a USB upgrade will usually not be required to replace their hardware dongle for the next version. We are really excited about the upcoming new release and making those upgrade entitlements available well in advance. So watch this space over the next weeks as more details and images become available. Contact CADDIT Australia for more information about progeCAD or this upgrade offer.

progeCAD 2018 Update Free for Existing Users

progeCAD 8.0.8.26 has been released on CADDIT.net, with free upgrade entitlement for all existing progeCAD 2018 users. progeCAD is an affordable general-purpose CAD drawing package with similar commands and workflow to AutoCAD, native DWG file read/write and extensive publishing/translation features. Advanced progeCAD features include full 3D rendering, extensive symbols library and Express Tools similar to those offered in AutoCAD. Using progeCAD, designers can seamlessly communicate with an AutoCAD environment. progeCAD updates 8.0.6 and  8.0.8 improves performance and addresses a number of reported issues. These improvements include several significant improvement for users with high-DPI displays:

• Official support for Windows 10 FALL CREATORS update
• Improved quality for icon transparency
• Better UI experience for custom control with high DPI
• Added DPI Aware settings in options dialog
• Improved drag of blocks on x86 version with DRAGDETAIL > 0 
• Added check to avoid crash while closing, when IRX applications uses point monitoring
• Added Layer support in PUBLISH PDF (batch printing)
• Added detection and correction of possible PDF/JPG printers activation issues after OS update
• Fixed crash when TABLE command is called multiple times 
• Changed the file name of the ones saved during emergency save when crash occurred
• Added opening of .SV$ files during drawing recovery
• Fixed height of command list items in 4k high DPI monitor
• Fixed height of items in layer toolbar combo box in 4k high DPI monitor
• Fixed height of items in toolbar combo box in 4k high DPI monitor
• Improved stability when using grips on dynamic blocks

progeCAD 2018 release is now quite well tested for supporting a variety of environments, and is still available for free trial download in either 32-bit or 64-bit versions. progeCAD's flexibility makes it practical as a low-cost design solution for a variety of Australian and overseas industries including architecture, landscaping, land survey and GIS, mining, advertizing and signage design, fabrication, spa and pool design, kitchen and bath, cabinetry and many others.

 

  

Users of previous progeCAD versions are strongly encouraged to consider upgrade to 2018, for better compatibility with AutoCAD as well as the ongoing updates for Microsoft Windows. A full price list for all upgrade options, including multiple stand-alone, USB and floating network licenses, can be found on the CADDIT website here (link). A fully enabled 30-day trial can also be downloaded. Additional questions about progeCAD features or upgrade options can be sent directly to CADDIT Australia via the Contact Us page. 

Alibre Returns with New Licensing and Free Upgrade Promotion

Sydney, Australia  07 August 2017 - CADDIT and Alibre LLC together announce a new future for Alibre users. Alibre, LLC based in Houston Texas USA recently acquired all rights to any materials from 3D SYSTEMS related to Geomagic Design. Since then a new product and licensing has been in development, which we can now announce release for on the CADDIT.net website. Alibre Design will continue its focus on affordable 3D parametric mechanical design for the Windows platform. Alibre Design is an intuitive, easy-to-use mechanical design system offering advanced features like Keyshot 3D rendering and optional FEA analysis.

New licensing. Alibre will move away from Flexera to now use a similar online activation system from Nalpeiron, along with several updated license options. Alibre will not offer a USB dongle option. Geomagic Design users with a USB license from 3D Systems will be offered a Nalpeiron "offline" license instead (this license type uses an email activation, see http://docs.nalpeiron.com/display/NND/NSL+V10+-+Offline+Activation ) There will continue to be a floating network license option. At this time, Nalpeiron licensing is stored in local user profile, within C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Alibre Design. To reset the activation of Alibre Design, simply delete all file inside this directory. Otherwise, moving Alibre licenses will operate in a similar way as they did with Geomagic Design.

Free upgrade. Because Alibre's Nalpeiron-based licensing is not compatible with 3D System's Flexera system, everyone with a valid Geomagic Design license from October 2015 and later will be moved to Alibre 2017 without charge, see https://www.alibre.com/alibre-llc-faq/. Essentially this consitutes a free upgrade for everyone having a valid Geomagic Design license from October 2015 or later. Previous Geomagic Design users who were still on the original Alibre CRM licensing system (e.g. Alibre 2013) will not be upgraded for free. In such case a valid Alibre Design subscription will be required for the user to move to the new licensing system. More information will be following soon.

CADDIT is happy to continue offering Alibre Design as a cost-effective 3D mechanical design option and we look forward to the upcoming releases under new management of the software. We ask users to be patient during the transition period. Further questions can be directed to CADDIT via our CONTACT US page: https://www.caddit.net/store/index.php?main_page=contact_us

progeCAD 2018 Released on CADDIT.net with New Artisan Render

Sydney, Australia  22 May 2017 - CADDIT announces the release of progeCAD 2018 Professional on the website for immediate download. progeCAD is a flexible general-purpose CAD drawing program that is used in many industries, including architectural design, fabrication shops, landscaping, strata and property management, mechanical design and many more. progeCAD is the long-standing low cost alternative for AutoCAD® and AutoCAD LT® software in Australia. progeCAD 2018 continues to offer perpetual license options (no rental or annual subscription required) and is tested for compatibility on Windows 7 through to Windows 10, both 64-bit and 32-bit versions. All progeCAD 2018 licenses now include Artisan for progeCAD - a new 3D rendering tool for creating business presentation-quality 3D graphics from progeCAD models and drawings.

New presentation-quality 3D rendering with free rendering add-on

progeCAD 2018 refines the native 64-bit performance first introduced last year with improved general performance and reliability. Major improvement in progeCAD Microstation V8 file interoperability now offers users complete ability to open, save, create, and edit .dgn files in native Microstation V8 DGN format. progeCAD further now supports the Microstation .dgnlib,.rdl,.cel formats. Users now also may use geometry from PDF and DGN underlays as an ESNAP reference. This example demonstrates the close read/write compatibility that progeCAD also offers for users with files from Bentley Microstation now:



  

    Microstation imported to progeCAD and saved again

          

progeCAD .DGN read back into Microstation V8i           

       

Development has also completed on a number of other new features. The progeCAD PDF printer now supports PDF printing with layers. Point cloud import now supports LIDAR scan data .las and .laz (compressed) formats. Land planning and civil engeering teams will also greatly benefit from the new support of ESRI Shape import. The shapefile format is a popular geospatial vector data format for geographic information system (GIS) software. It is developed and regulated by ESRI as a (mostly) open specification for data interoperability among ESRI and other GIS software products.

progeCAD 2018 offers a completely new in-place MTEXT editor. Extensive implementation of Fade controls for XREFerences and locked layers ships as well. progeCAD 2018 also delivers additional support for AutoCAD VPMIN and VPMAX for maximizing and minimizing viewports, as well as implementing the Superhatch command accessible through the Express Tools menu has been introduced to create amazing hatches out of images, blocks, external references and wipeout objects. progeCAD 2018 further delivers:
Contextual Ribbons
Toolbars locking
Clickable Command Prompt Options (string options on command line can be selected with mouse)
New Advanced Rename interface
New Array Interface
Support for variable DIMLAYER
Support for variable HPLAYER and HPTRASPARENCY (Default layer for Hatch and level of Hatch transparency)
3D Sub Entity selection (selection of Faces and Edges on 3D objects)
TEXTFRONT Command (bring all texts to front)
CACHEFILES variable (control the external cache layout data to enhance layout switching performance and memory usage)
PathWatcher (control of a folder for automatic DWG opening)


Current iCARE subscribers and those participating in our recent free upgrade promotion will begin to receive their progeCAD 2018 upgrade notices in the next several days. Users of previous versions of progeCAD can order the appropriate upgrade for them from the CADDIT progeCAD upgrade price list. There is much more to be said about the new progeCAD 2018 release, including dozens of other new commands, variables and improved functions (such as the 3D rendering) which can be explored by downloading the software for a free 30 day trial from CADDIT. We are very excited about this release and hope that many users will benefit form the hard work invested in this version of progeCAD. Any questions about general features of progeCAD can be directed to CADDIT via the CONTACT US page HERE.



Mathcad Prime 4.0 Released on CADDIT

Sydney, Australia 08 March 2017 - CADDIT announces the immediate availability of Mathcad Prime 4.0 on the CADDIT.net website. Mathcad is computational software which solves equations written in conventional textbook format, as opposed to obscure expression languages used in spreadsheets. Mathcad is the application of choice for many math-critical industries, such as mining, aerospace, chemical and laboratory research environments. Mathcad updates solutions in real time, and can also be used to visualize datasets in both 2D and 3D plots. Mathcad Prime 4.0 adds several important usability features requested by our users.

PTC Mathcad Prime 4.0 extends access control features to individual worksheet areas. Using the new Area Protection and Locking functionality in PTC Mathcad Prime 4.0, users may select specific areas of a document for password protection, making them unavailable or just read-only for other users while leaving remaining areas fully editable. This feature further protects the integrity of corporate calculations, preventing protected values from unwanted alteration.

PTC Mathcad Prime 4.0 improves document readability with enhanced equation wrapping. Equation wrapping works much like word wrapping does for a text editor. Users can now both insert a wrapped addition, subtraction, multiplication or inline division operator while typing an equation (in other words, they can wrap as they go) or they can go back to existing math and toggle the wrapping on those operators too. Wrapping does not break logic linkage to the next line, and can also be inserted as the equation is typed. Improved support for Microsoft Object Embedding is included. Linked objects can be displayed within the worksheet, and opened for real time editing in the necessary application.

Users with large worksheets will notice several overall performance improvements in Mathcad Prime 4.0. In particular, the Mathcad region display has been re-designed with far greater efficiency, with very noticeable results especially when handling extensive worksheets spanning dozens of pages. Additional improvements have been made for smoother graph editing and other optimizations.

Mathcad 4.0 is available for immediate trial download on the CADDIT website HERE. Current maintenance subscribers should already have access to the new version via their PTC web account. Additional questions about the latest Mathcad 4.0 release can be directed to CADDIT via the Contact Us information HERE.

Understanding DWG Files and Fixing Them

The native AutoCAD file for saving drawings is ".DWG" (short form extension for "drawing"). The DWG file can be likened to a moveable database, storing tables of information such as geometry, views, layers, configurations, third-party extensions and links to other data sets like XREF or BLOCK. The first .DWG binary format "MC0.0" was implemented in 1982 with the AutoCAD 1.0 release. A user can check any DWG file directly by opening in a binary-text editor (I use vi/vim) and checking the first six characters like we did here:

That's it. Those six characters "hard-code" the rest of the drawings data as to which version protocol it obeys. in this case the file is DWG 2010 format. How do we know? Because AC1024 is code for 2010 DWG. Many of you have probably seen this table somewhere before:

DWG Version	"Internal" Version	Release Date	AutoCAD version(s)
DWG R1.0	MC0.0	April 1983	AutoCAD Release 1.0
DWG R1.2	AC1.2	August  1983	AutoCAD Release 1.2
DWG R1.40	AC1.40	October 1983	AutoCAD Release 1.40
DWG R2.05	AC1.50	October 1984	AutoCAD Release 2.05
DWG R2.10	AC2.10	May 1985	AutoCAD Release 2.10
DWG R2.21	AC2.21	June 1986	AutoCAD Release 2.21
DWG R2.22	AC1001, AC2.22		AutoCAD Release 2.22
DWG R2.50	AC1002	June 1986	AutoCAD Release 2.50
DWG R2.60	AC1003	April 1987	AutoCAD Release 2.60
DWG R9	AC1004	September 1987	AutoCAD Release 9
DWG R10	AC1006	October 1988	AutoCAD Release 10
DWG R11/12	AC1009	October 1990	AutoCAD Release 11 & 12
DWG R13	AC1012	November 1994	AutoCAD Release 13
DWG R14	AC1014	May 1997	AutoCAD Release 14
DWG 2000	AC1015	March 1999	AutoCAD 2000 - AutoCAD 2002
DWG 2004	AC1018	March 2003	AutoCAD 2004 - AutoCAD 2006
DWG 2007	AC1021	March 2006	AutoCAD 2007 - AutoCAD 2009
DWG 2010	AC1024	March 2009	AutoCAD 2010 - AutoCAD 2012
DWG 2013	AC1027	March 2012	AutoCAD 2013 - AutoCAD 2017

AutoCAD configurations can be divided into two groups: global software "Options" and drawing-specific "Settings". The Autodesk DWG files spec includes numerous configuration settings that get stored into the individual DWG file. One way of implementing certain drawing settings across all new drawings is to save those settings into the Drawing Template FIle (".DWT"). With progeCAD 2017, the default .DWT folder is:
%APPDATA%\PSOFT\progeCAD x64\R17\Professional - English\Templates
But the path can be configured in Options -> "Path/Files" tab -> Templates

DWG like many high-precision CAD formats can accumulate erros over time. These errors can originate from geometry, block handling, API errors and many other sources. DWG errors can result in degraded (slow/"glitched") performance, stability issues and even crash incidents.

progeCAD, like AutoCAD, offers several tools for addressing DWG data errors. Main among these tools is the AUDIT command:
http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2010/ENU/AutoCAD%202010%20User%20Documentation/index.html?url=WS1a9193826455f5ffa23ce210c4a30acaf-7855.htm,topicNumber=d0e19845

Regardless of the drawing origin, when system stability begins to degrade, always check the DWG quality using these tools. Occasional discussions on the CADDIT forum address these incidents directly with a number of good suggestions:
https://www.caddit.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1101

progeCAD offers comprehensive DWG drawing and editing at a fraction of the cost of AutoCAD, as shown above offering similar tools and completely compatible format. For a free progeCAD download visit CADDIT here (link).

progeCAD, "AutoCAD LT Alternative", Update Release 14.0.8.13

Sydney, Australia 6 June 2014 - CADDIT Announces an important bugfix update for progeCAD 2014 for immediate download. progeCAD is a unique low-cost alternative for powerful AutoCAD-like design, which reads and writes native AutoCAD DWG files and offers many of the same commands. progeCAD 214 effectively allows CAD designers to work in an AutoCAD-like environment at a much lower cost. New features in progeCAD 2014 include creating TABLES and MULTILINES, as well as initial support for DYNAMIC BLOCKS and new 3D architectural design tools.

Almost 200 significant fixes and improvements are present in this June progeCAD 2014.0.8 update. Users are encouraged to update to the latest version. Trial users should make sure they have opportunity to see this update. For questions about progeCAD please contact CADDIT. Here are many of the improvements:

Implemented new BATTMAN dialog
Added start up dialog
Changed ETRACKDELAY to 200 ms
Fixed erroneous behavior after resuming the PC from a sleep state
Fixed crash displaying some tiff on windows XP
Changed default for OSMODE and AUTOSNAP to enable POLAR, ETRACK and esnaps INT,END,CEN
Fixed COPYFULLPATH command to empty all other clipboard data
Fixed open of DXF files version 2013
Fixed changes of ALIAS with command hint list
Fixed 'vlax-ename->vla-object' for spline and leader objects
Fixed RGB inversion - Inverted RGB colors in during the PDF EXPORTATION
Fixed palette set in B/W images
Fixed BLOCK dialog with block names with ','
Improved speed of layer palette changing layer's properties
Improved LAYERP logger procedure to avoid save and delete of temporary layer state
Disabled ExportPDF3D command when no drawing is opened. Disabled DwgProps command when no drawing is opened
Fixed exception in LMAN with specific drawing
Fixed DATE variable now returns local time
Fixed PUBLISH with spline objects
Removed main viewport from selection set selected by QSELECT to avoid problem in case of erase
Fixed dcl crash with (mode_tile "xxx" 2) before (start_dialog)
Fixed PDF2CAD without open drawings
Fixed update of linetype combobox
Fixed crash while moving entities in a specific drawing
Fixed: VBA - Block.AddItems() should not change block origin to (0,0,0)
Fixed: Center snap is incorrect for some entities if elevation is different from zero
Fixed: OSNAP does not work on PDF underlay
Fixed: Export a drawing with images to PDF creates huge and corrupted pdf
Fixed: Cannot set Window Print Area when Command Bar is floating
Fixed: ZOOM Extents zooming incorrect on blocks with more than 59 entities
Fixed: Tollbars position is not stored properly
Fixed Crash on startup
Fixed dwgname in DWGPROPS dialog, tab tooltip and OPENFOLDER command for dwg with 2013 format
Fixed bad memory release with monochrome images
Removed error messagebox during creation of toolbars and replaced with log
Changed DRAGDETAIL variable to 0 to fix problem of dragging (MOVE,ROTATE) of objects at large coordinates
Improved EXTRUDE and REVOLVE command with multiple select
Added unknown object types to QSELECT dialog
Fixed stretch to move hatch
Fixed creation of new menu items from customize dialog
Fixed height of text pasted from LibreOffice/OpenOffice tables
Added DEL button to remove layout from PUBLISH dialog
Fixed import of plot settings using PUBLISH, now it displays also inches unit
Added more items to tab context menu and implemented missing commands
Fixed localization of EXPRESS module
Fixed Red and Blue inversion in PUBLISH of PDF
Fixed PUBLISH of bitonal images
Fixed Extrude command: enabled multiple selection
Edited profile editor option dialog, changed default profile enable/disable buttons
Added reset all profiles button. Removed multi-line selection
Added check to avoid crash for buffer overrun
Added check to avoid crash from layer palette
Reduced size of pdf produced by PUBLISH with great images or clipped ones
Reenabled GDAL to manage TIFF to insert GEOTIFF images
Fixed DBMOD state on some drawings.
Fixed PDF printer code with the JPEG and TIFF modules enabled
Added NEXTLAYOUT and PREVLAYOUT commands to manage CTRL+PAGE UP and CTRL+PAGE DOWN accelerators
Added check to avoid exception in property palette
Fixed display of scientific number with DIMZIN to suppress trailing zero
Fixed scale of image using property palette
Fixed double click on table to edit, now it doesn't start anymore PROPERTIES command
Fixed: DXFOUT command locks its output file
Fixed selection of "Multiple" in QSELECT element type combo
Fixed draworder in text mask command
Fixed some problems on EasyArch 3D
Fixed access violation on creation of solid text mask.
Fixed BLOCK dialog creating block in wrong space when TILEMODE=0 and CVPORT>1
Fixed a bug on EasyArch 3D zmove command
Fixed PSELECT command to select entities for property palette
Fixed shortcut key to call "From" esnap in Esnap context menu
Fixed UCSNAME display in property palette with standard UCS (FRONT,BACK,RIGHT,LEFT...)
Fixed remove text mask
Fixed SOLIDGRIP with large coordinates solid and overlapping grips
Fixed property palette project to remove "active context" exception
Fixed WBLOCK saving file without extension
Fixed attach of xref using -XREF, now it attaches full path
Fixed LAYLCK and LAYULK with XREFs
Disabled WCLOSE and WCLOSEALL during refedit session
Fixed order of combo in qselect dialog
Fixed commands REVSURF,AI_REVSURF,REVOLVE,TABSURF,AI_TABSURF,EXTRUDE,RULESURF,AI_RULESURF,LOFT. AI_XXX and XXXSURF commands create meshes, the other ones instead have MODE option to create ACIS surfaces or ACIS solids
Fixed some EasyArch 3D bug when using variable height walls
Added NONE option to ESNAP/OSNAP command
Fixed TDINDWG variable
Fixed name and tip of Revolved surface in property palette
Fixed visualization of solid surface with customized isolines
Added Revolved Surface entity in property palette
Fixed wrong hatch origin
Fixed Ungroup of multiple groups
Fixed PDF creation problem and fixed use of TFW file
Fixed SNAPGRIPLEGACY from list setvar
Fixed CRTL + grip drag on table objects
Fixed BLOCK dialog, now it reloads some data selecting a block name from list
Fixed DIMLINEAR with ORTHO
Fixed GRIP using keyboard shortcut to move selected objects
Fixed localization of "*VARIES*" in property palette
VBA - enabled editing for tUpsideDown and tBackward options for text entity
Fixed cancel of discard of changes on REFCLOSE command
Implemented Import page setup button in page setup manager and added IMPORTPAGESETUP command
Fixed the errors when used custom unit factor
Fixed wrong wall calculation on ARC doors/windows
Fixed selection of blocks/attributes in EATTEXT dialog
Fixed unexpected change of zoom when you use the render in a perspective view
Changed the reference to 2DWALL and 3DWALL layers
Added new layers to EasyArch 3D to be managed with different colours
Fixed size of controls in PNEW dialog
Fixed separate option with TEXT inside hatching area
Added SPACe feature to cycle between grip functions
Fixed: AUDIT leads to creation of redundant text entities
Fixed: FLATTEN moves entity to current layer
Fixed Crash during print preview
Fixed: Shape names from SHX files should be handled as case-insensitive
Fixed: Unable to unload IRX
Fixed huge amount of ram used by a specific drawing
Fixed: (getorient) lisp function not working
Fixed: sds_getorient doesn't accept E or N90E as input
LISP (entupd) and sds_entupd don't update block reference if block was modified
Fixed "AutoSave drawing extension" position in options dialog
Fixed AREA command. Now it uses LUPREC to print Area value
Fixed default value for FILLETRAD variable
Improved scale command on Table
Fixed command hint window: Added mouse right click management, added check in OPTIONS dialog and menu item in context menu over command line to enable/disable this feature
Increased dimension of a button in DIMSTYLE dialog to fit some languages
Fixed: MINSERT does not insert the blocks with the correct rotation with non-global ucs
Fixed underlined char in one EattEdit dialog
Added Standard Scale combo in property palette about viewport entities
Fixed search path of drawing converted from dwg 2013 format
Removed duplication of VL-LIST->STRING function
VBA - Implemented SliceSolid method
VBA - Implemented SetPaperSize method
VBA - Implemented SectionSolid method
VBA - Implemented CheckInterference method
VBA - Implemented Purge method
Cannot rotate entites at non-zero elevation when in non-plan view
Fixed Crash during zooming when grips are shown in PS viewport
Fixed print problem when LWDEFAULT is 0 (printed borders were shifted)
Fixed Snapping on 3DSOLIDS in Blocks
Cannot get Nearest snap point for line if there are some attributes in block under cursor
Fixed PEDIT JOIN d(erroneouse segment removal from the new polyline)
Fixed Error using MatchProp on the dimensions
Fixed: Cannot snap to the end of Splined Leader
Fixed: Different behavior using SOLIDEDIT command to extrude a face
Fixed: New frozen layer created by VPLAYER is not frozen
Fixed: Printing doesn't work from shell commands
Fixed: LIST command doesn't display bulge for last node in polyline
Fixed: Hatching of visually closed POLYLINE fails
Fixed Deadlock in ATTDEF dialog
Fixed: sds_sslength should set length to 0 in case of failure
Fixed: LUPREC shouldn't affect scale values in IMAGE attach dialog
Fixed: Deadlock in CONVERTPSTYLES during recomputing HATCH boundary with HPGAPTOL=1
Fixed several crash changing color or deleting entities or at close time
Fixed problem plotting specific drawing
MTEXT is always created in World UCS
Entget does not return DXF 74 (and 73) group code from ATTDEF/attribute
MATCHPROP doesn't work for viewports
Dimension "Fit" and "Text Movement" fields issue.
Fixed: Stretch grip from External application fails
Using (initget) with keywords leads to an error message with garbage symbols in case of entering empty string
Fixed: Cannot get node snap in xref drawing when PDMODE is not zero
Fixed wrong attributes order in BLOCK command
VBA - Fixed Crash on AppendItems
Fixed Issue in MASSPROP command (Centroid)
Fixed crash undoing a viewport creation or layout switch
Fixed DRAWORDER after copying incorrect
Fixed: LIST command doesn't show attribute name
Fixed: Zoom extents doesn't work when first opening a drawing
Fixed Crash in PURGE Reviewed
Fixed: RTDISPLAY must be ignored for custom entities
Paper size is not read properly from DWG
Wrong print preview using particular Printer Settings
Fixed Crash doing PAN
Fixed: Text is displayed wrong (paragraph formatting)
Fixed: WBLOCK, INSERT and OPEN command should have separate, their own paths for drawings
Fixed: Bad UNC paths in references cause severe delays
Fixed: Cannot switch to PSpace from Viewport by double click if "Print paperspace last" is disabled
Fixed: Wrong TTF font is used for printing
Fixed: Viewport moves when "print upside-down" is toggled on during printing
Fixed Copy/Paste crash
VBA : fixed activeLayout.GetPlotStyleTableNames property
Added resize feature in attribute selection dialog of EATTEXT command
Fixed menu commands for _refclose _save and, _refclose _discard
Fixed space header/footer text issue
Fixed property palette for polyline2d entities, added global width and fixed single vertex widths
Fixed drag preview of rotation inserting a block without moving the cursor
Fixed height property into QSELECT dialog for TEXT objects
Removed rename of blocks and attributes from EATTEXT dialog
Fixed position of sample text in font dialog
Fixed RENAME command that allowed to rename layer 0
Fixed some issues on dynamic block grip
Improproved table edit, now the enter key moves to the cell below
Fixed double click on corrupted drawings
Fixed order of layer filters
Fixed font in raster dialogs

Review of New Features and Licensing for Geomagic Design V16 (2015)

Sydney, Australia 30 May 2014 - CADDIT is happy to announce the first steps of integration to the new licensing for Geomagic Design and other 3D Systems software products including Geomagic Freeform. Geomagic Design is the de facto low cost 3D CAD solution for parametric mechanical CAD design. A few weeks earlier, a significant update was released to Geomagic Design support subscribers which made several significant adjustments in the product:

Operating Systems - Geomagic Design continues to support 32 and 64-bit operating systems:

• Windows Vista
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Requires Graphics Card with DirectX 9.0c or above and 32 bit true color
• Windows XP is now unsupported by Microsoft and officially unsupported by 3D Systems. CADDIT can therefore provide general information on software usage as long as the question is not XP-specific.

Import wireframe mesh as CAD solid (new):

• Geomagic Design, Geomagic Freeform and Geomagic Studio include proprietary "autosurfacing" libraries which can convert mesh models to solids. This revolutionary, one-of a kind technology has been simplified for inclusion into the low-cost Geomagic Design software.
• There are two options in the Geomagic Design wizard-driven version: import as "organic shape" or import as "mechanical shape". These options use different algorithms to compute NURBS curves to represent the imported mesh, one with stricter planar/arc based "feature" recognition and one suited for non-parametric freeform topologies. Import as "organic shape" will also allow the user to merge the imported shape with an opened CAD part file.

 

 

TeamPlatorm integration:

• Designers may now sign in directly to 3D Systems cloud storage from within Geomagic Design and share models and designs electronically.

Geomagic Design Viewer Mode:

• A new Geomagic CAD viewer has been implemented. The CAD viewer allows users to open and view native Geomagic Design and Elements files as well as DWG and DXF files. In addition, users will be able to take measurements, obtain physical properties of a design and use the Redline tools for markups. Files can then be saved or uploaded/downloaded from TeamPlatform.

Flexnet Licensing:

• Perhaps most importantly, Geomagic Design has incorporated a new licensing tool which will allow users to directly manage the activation and deactivation of software licenses. Geomagic Design no longer connects to Alibre CRM for license updates and can be moved ad-hoc by the user themselves. There are several licensing options now available including live floating network, virtual USB and physical USB dongles. These licenses options can be reviewed by opening the Geomagic "GSLicenseUtil.exe" directly or calling it from the main menu -> Help -> About Geomagic Design -> "License Key Status" button:

 

 

This new license system incorporates the use of serial codes issued from 3D Systems. Please note that we are finishing our migration to this system license deliveries may experience a short delay. CADDIT staff are very excited about these new features in Geomagic Design as they reflect a great deal of investment from 3D Systems to unify their software product portfolio and add value for the end-user.

 

Geomagic Design is available in Australia through CADDIT, and we invite users to test drive the new version. Download and test drive Geomagic Design V16 HERE (note you may need to rename the downloaded adding an .exe extension to run it). Even if users have tried a previous version they can still download and trial the new V16 version without any extension requests to us (unlike before). Form more information about Geomagic Design in Australia contact CADDIT.



progeCAD 2014 Released on CADDIT.net - Update Information and More.

Sydney, Australia 18 February 2014 - CADDIT announces the completed initial release of progeCAD 2014 to Australia and New Zealand customers. progeCAD is the region's de facto choice for low-cost AutoCAD-compatible design software, and progeCAD 2014 is definitely the most advanced release ever. With the initial milestone of complete rewriting and refactoring finished in 2013, progeCAD 2014 was free to explore important features long requested by our users:

• AutoCAD table entity creation and support for DWG files with data tables
• Massive improvements in 3D - including functional ACIS sweep command and a full range of 3D architectural design tools.
• 3D PDF Publishing included free for sharing 3D designs.
• Initial support for Dynamic Blocks. progeCAD now attempts to present dynamic block data from AutoCAD DWG files using the grips interface. This support is still under development.
• progeCAD now offers a full interface for creating new multi-line styles.
• Improved support for various graphic cards.
• Command line auto-completion mode (DYNMODE).
• Hundreds of other improvements and enhancements.

CADDIT will begin processing iCARE and promotional upgrade entitlements this week. Users will be notified via email of their new progeCAD 2014 (English version) serial code. Please note that a 2013 serial code will not work with progeCAD 2014. Please also note that the progeCAD Standard product is no longer available. Other users who wish to upgrade from a previous progeCAD version may do so here.

A completely new 30-day trial of progeCAD 2014 can now be immediately downloaded from www.caddit.net. CADDIT is the major supplier of progeCAD to Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific region since 2007. We are proud of our now very large community of users in ANZ and hope that this new release demonstrates our desire to help deliver the features requested by these users. CADDIT was directly involved with some of the new features in version 2014 and can be contacted via the website details as usual, http://www.caddit.net/store/index.php?main_page=contact_us .

progeCAD 13.0.14.11 Update Released on CADDIT

CADDIT has released another important update for progeCAD 2013 Professional on caddit.net. progeCAD is CAD design software for building and landscape design, civil and structural drafting. Features include PDF printing, DWF, STL file for 3D printing of drawings & full 3D modeling and 3D rendering. progeCAD will edit complex AutoCAD files with xrefs, blocks, hatching, mtext and more at very low cost.

progeCAD 2013.0.14.11 update fixes and enhancements include:

 

• Added PUBLISH command
• Fixed several crashes
• Fixed paper size order in print dialog
• Restored name of block in QSELECT list
• Fixed localization of some sentence in Recover manager dialog
• LISP: Added vl-cmdf function to VLISP project
• LISP: Added layoutlist lisp function
• Inserted error message for conversion PDF to JPG
• Upgraded PDF and JPG driver from version 4.5.3.3 to version 4.5.3.5
• Fixed missing uninstall part for pdf printer
• Fixed UCS toolbar, button ORIGIN.
• PDF2CAD: set tickness to 0 for all entities converted
• PDF2CAD: removed request to open files
• PDF2CAD: fixed some messages
• Fixed creation of PC3 with specific option in HP Djet 500 plotter
• Fixed esnap NEAR to circle with little radius (0.1)
• Fixed OFFSET error of 2Dpolyline
• Fixed import of PGP files with tabs
• Fixed icad.fmp file to remove substitution of fonts
• Fixed crash opening drawing with password and scrollbars activated
• Global linetpe scale - Property dialog not working
• Fixed crash using Explorer->blocks
• VBA: The method AddAttributeDef doesn't assign current layer to entity
• VBA: fixed several VBA methods
• VBA: Block.Delete method is not supported
• Restored default settings: User can restore only Menu or Toolbar
• Removed message prompt for searching missing references
• Added SNAPGRIDLEGACY variable to constrain cursor movement to GRID also when no command or selection active (default is off)
• Added CTRL+ENTER to press OK button to close EATTEDIT dialog
• Improved selection of attributes in EATTEDIT dialog directly on double clicked
• Fixed crash pressing OK in print dialog
• Fixed crash using property palette
• Improved ability to cancel search of closed boundary in hatch dialog
• Improved closed area recognition fixing various deadlocks and improved algorithm
• Changed CH alias to ENTPROP command
• Fixed filter names after creation in LAYERS dialog
• Fixed paths tab in options dialog
• VBA: Fixed property closed on object LWPolyline.
• Added progressbar in hatch area compute and increased ESC management (also analyzing sub paths)
• Added Autocad 2013-2014 clipboard format to allow PASTECLIP in autocad recent versions
• Added check to avoid crash on COPYCLIP+PASTECLIP in another application
• Fixed LAYFRZ command with dimension
• Fixed crash on ESC on print preview
• Fixed EXTRUDE command with large coordinate
• Fixed direction of extrusion
• Fixed search order for SHX files, now pcad first searches in drawing folder then in other search paths
• Changed plot header and footer separator char from "," to "|"
• Fixed API to set overridden plotting configurations
• Fixed crash when dimassoc = 0 dimlinear doesn't work.
• Fixed DWFOUT command, now uses dialog to choose filename and uses parameters in dialog
• Fixed VIEWPOINT command removing ESNAP when user type coordinates on keyboard
• Fixed display of RECOVER message loading a corrupted file with double click
• Removed plot length limit from paper size
• Fixed attribute edit during INSERT command
• Fixed INSERT with NWUCS
• Fixed margins for plotters with large paper size (A1 etc.) removed PRINTAUTOROTATE variable behavior

Alibre Design 2013 Preview - The Best Alibre Ever

The folks over at Alibre USA have been hard at work at what looks to be the best release ever of their flagship CAD software. Alibre is the defacto CAD software for low-cost parametric 3D mechanical part and assembly design in Australia. Priced modestly from A$220 for the base hobby user package to A$2200 for the top-end version including motion simulation, direct editing, variant design and direct reading of CATIA and Unigraphics files, Alibre is a more viable option than SolidWorks or Inventor for smaller budgets. Alibre 2013 will introduce literally hundreds of improvements in all areas of 3D modelling, assembly design, 2D drafting and section views, sheet metal design, bill of material and more. The overview document Alibre has provided to CADDIT Australia listing these enhancements is 59 pages long. Here are some highlights:

USER INTERACTION CONSISTENCY: In previous versions of Alibre, CRTL and SHIFT multiselect treated were differently in the various modes of Alibre. Alibre 2013 now uniformly implements multi-selection in the Design Explorer and Work Area, using Ctrl and Shift. More commands can also be applied to multiple objects in a single operation such as anchor, hide, suppress, align and scale view etc. Right-click behaviour has also been improved to ALWAYS show the options that are available to all selected items. (Previously there were cases where a right-click actually deselected all selected items.) "Apply" buttons have been added to numerous dialogue boxes so that changes can be seen before leaving many commands. Conflict visibility has been improved, dragging the "Dog Bone" has been fixed, real-time measurement data now appears in the status bar, some menu items have been consolidated, even the licensing dialogues have enjoyed some housekeeping. There is now a much more consistent user experience with the overall interface of Alibre. This is good new to those using Alibre for their everyday mechanical design work :)

UNDER THE HOOD: Alibre 2013 will be powered by Dassault's new ACIS V23 kernel, released six months ago (see announcement here). This means better modelling and problem-solving on the geometry level of Alibre. STEP file export includes multi-part assembly and drawing "packaging" (somewhat similar to progeCAD "eTransmit"), STL publishing for 3D printing enjoys better support for binary STL, and control of the STL data.

SKETCHING AND PART MODELLING: Sketching performance is significantly improved and more responsive, especially when zoomed in. Dimensions can now be placed between concentric arcs and circles to define the difference in their radii. All disjoint ends of a sketch (caused by DXF or DWG import, etc) are automatically healed when the active Sketch is exited. User is no longer prompted that sketch problems exist when only Disjoint Ends exist, as they are automatically healed. Pressing Escape while in 2D Sketch Mode now make the Select tool active. User can now import Points from a CSV file into a 2D Sketch as well as for 3D sketches. User can also designate any 2D dimension to be Driven during dimension placement or after dimension placement by modifying the dimension. Driven dimensions update in real-time as figures are moved or further define objects in the sketch. Driven dimensions can also designated to show up in the Equation Editor as a parameter. This effectively enables use dimensions from one part in another part. For part modelling itself, the THREAD tool has been improved with drop-down menus of thread definitions.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS: In this blitz review of the upcoming release of Alibre 2013 we haven't even started to discuss what's new in Assembly design, drafting, sheet metal, BOM, third-party bonuses etc and this article would be WAY to long to include them all. There is one improvement we picked from sheet metal we wanted to mention here. There will be a brand new tool which allows designers to create sheetmetal bend lines directly from a sketch, complete with rips. These bend lines are used to fold a tab or flange. This is particularly useful if you are trying to recreate a sheet metal part from an imported 2D drawing of a flat pattern:

It is important to note that Alibre Design 2013 will not support Windows XP, except for general how-to questions unrelated to anything in the operating system. Users really need to be using Alibre 2013 on a computer running at least Windows Vista or newer. Users choosing to remain back with Alibre 2012 on Windows XP and on active subscription will continue to be supported. For further information about this upcoming release of Alibre 2013 in Australia contact CADDIT.net (link). A further announcement will be posted here when the software is availble for download and trial.

progeCAD 2013 Released - AutoCAD 2013 & Windows 8 Support

Sydney, Australia 30 October 2012 - The long awaited progeCAD 2013 has been released on the CADDIT.net website. Since 2006 progeCAD has offered high-quality CAD software with distinctive AutoCAD-like features - like native AutoCAD DWG read/write (no conversion) and similar commands and toolbars. Engineers, architects, surveyors, builders, landscape designers, manufacturers and other hobbyists and professionals alike prefer progeCAD as the affordable AutoCAD alternative. progeCAD 2013 is a major new release, and the first version to include IntelliCAD 7 source code into its product.

progeCAD pricing will continue at the low $400+ level (as opposed to AutoCAD's full $6000 license cost plus Autodesk maintenance subscription, etc). progeCAD 2013 continues to offer features used in previous versions, like DWG-to-PDF and PDF-to-CAD support, the free EasyArch add-on for architectural drawing, 3D solids and rendering, advanced hatching, text and dimensioning commands, thousands of free symbols and more. progeCAD 2013 also adds new features including:

PC3 plotter configuration file support

New Print Style Manager Interface

New Printing / Plotting Interface

AEC visualization (AutoCAD Architectural Desktop objects)

STL (mesh) and DAE file export

New Dimension Style Manager Interface

Advanced Spline Editing

New wireframe "HELIX" command

New ACIS Solid "LOFT" command

CAD Underlays of PDF, DWF and DGN files

Microstation DGN File Import (selected versions, as underlay)

New LMAN (Layer Manager)

Improved Purge command

Multigrip editing

New overall GUI style

Windows 8 Support

AutoCAD DWG 2013 file format support

AutoCAD and progeCAD users alike are invited to download progeCAD 2013 free at: http://www.caddit.net/progecad/progecad.php

This is a free full version 30 day trial which will allow you to save, print, etc and experience the cost savings benefit of CADDIT progeCAD for yourself. progeCAD 2013 licenses will be available as progeCAD single, mobile USB, network NLM, academic and corporate solutions.

Please contact CADDIT International for more information about progeCAD HERE: http://www.caddit.net/store/index.php?main_page=contact_us

For technical questions and user experiences about progeCAD, visit our forum HERE:
http://www.caddit.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=3