VariCAD and CADDIT released the first edition of their 2009 Parametric 3D Industrial Design CAD Software for Windows and Linux. VariCAD is practical CAD for mechanical design, structural steel, industrial layout, fit-out concept, sheet metal assembly, machine equipment and jig or check fixture model and detailing. VariCAD 2009 includes several important enhancements, including:- support for parameters
- support for geometric constraints
- enhanced possibilities for insertion and transformation of solids
- new possibilities for editing shells
- improved work with true type fonts in 2D
- improved STEP file compatibility
- improved DWG file compatibility and more
VariCAD 2009 does not use a full length feature tree as many CAD users may be accustomed. Rather, VariCAD 2009 introduces a unique "parameter table" approach to listing the values associated with model geometry. Users can choose to create specific design parameters for each feature or not. Model features without table parameters can still be modified directly in most cases using direct feature dimensioning.
The documentation includes several new Adobe flash video demonstration tutorials for learning the VariCAD Parametric system. Linux 3D CAD users should especially appreciate these new features on a native VariCAD Linux system. Debian/Ubuntu .deb and RH .rpm distributions will be available for download. For Microsoft Windows VariCAD can be downloaded free for 30 days HERE.
It is possible after installing T-FLEX CAD CAM to experience the error when starting T-FLEX that the application has "terminated unexpectedly". One reason this could occur is if the computer is missing the Microsoft .NET 2.0 runtime.The .NET framework is not a T-FLEX specific program. It is an optional (and commonly used) part of the Microsoft Windows operating system. The CADDIT T-FLEX CAD installer doesn't actually install this runtime automatically because most users probably already have it installed. But they must install it if they don't already have it.Here is one trick to get it. The .NET 2.0 installer is actually included in the CADDIT T-FLEX installer's download package. Look for the "NetfxSetup" folder inside the temporary directory into which the CADDIT installer unpacks itself and then runs. Run "dotnetfx20.exe" for 32-bit XP or "NetFx64.exe" for 64 bit machines.Alternatively, you can always download it direct from Microsoft:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=enOnce more: users are reminded to have the Microsoft .NET 2.0 runtime installed before installing T-FLEX CAD CAM 11.x.
