1. Vellum Graphite

Announces the development and upcoming release of Graphite version 12, its 3D wireframe CAD software on Mac and Windows. The following are enhancements for Graphite v12: 2 to 25 times faster on zooms, pans and selects; improvements to DXF/DWG imports/exports; miscellaneous bug fixes and enhancements; and support for current operating systems for Mac and Windows. The final release is anticipated after the first of the year. With a suggested retail price of US $145 for the upgrade from Graphite v11 to v12, Ashlar-Vellum is offering prerelease discounts. Upgrades from Graphite v8, v9 and v10 are also available. Those purchasing during pre-release are eligible for both v11 and v12.

“This upgrade will offer a significant return on investment for those serious about getting their work done,” Robert Bou, Ashlar-Vellum’s president, comments. We have significant speed increases, particularly apparent on the largest drawings, and we’re facilitating better workflow, with many little niceties that smooth the annoying bumps out of the drawing process.” In other news, Ashlar-Vellum announces the development and upcoming release of Cobalt, Xenon and Argon version 12, its 3D solid and surface modeling products on Mac and Windows.

Vellum Graphite

All three of the products have the following enhancements in version 11: up to 25% faster on zooms, pans and select; further improvements to DXF/DWG imports/exports; miscellaneous bug fixes and enhancements; and support for the most current operating systems for Mac and Windows. Final release is anticipated after the first of the year. With a suggested retail price of US $145 for the upgrade from v10 to v11, Ashlar-Vellum is offering pre-release discounts. Upgrades from Cobalt, Xenon or Argon v8 and v9 are also available.

Those purchasing during pre-release are eligible for both v10 and v11. “Greater speed, especially on large models and drawings, and a smoother workflow mean that those who really need to get their work done will be thrilled with this upgrade and find it well worth the investment to upgrade” Bou adds. Founded in 1988, Ashlar-Vellum is the leading provider of precision CAD and 3D modeling software that automates and simplifies the design process for drafting, design and engineering professionals on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Ashlar-Vellum operates from its headquarters in Austin, TX. Sources: Press materials received from the company.

Ashlar-Vellum, a of Ashlar Incorporated, is a developer of (CAD) and software for both the and platforms. Ashlar-Vellum’s interface, designed in 1988 by Dr.

And Dan Fitzpatrick, featured an automated Drafting Assistant that found useful points in the geometry and allowed the artist to quickly connect to locations like the 'midpoint' or 'tangent'. Their original 2D product, Vellum, underwent numerous upgrades and gained 3D surface modelling capabilities over time.

This product is now known as Graphite. In 1998 Vellum was joined by Solids, which added full solid modeling support. This product is now known as Cobalt, and is also offered in several sub-versions with different feature sets and price points. Founded in Sunnyvale, California, Ashlar Incorporated is now headquartered in Austin, Texas with additional offices in Kiev, Ukraine. Main article: Cobalt is Ashlar-Vellum’s top-level product for 3D modeling and CAD on Mac and Windows. It integrates parametric, feature-based solid modeling and photo-realistic rendering all using the. Everything in Cobalt is with and 2D equation-driven parametrics and constraints.

It offers surfacing tools, mold design tools, detailing, and engineering features. Cobalt also includes a library of 149,000 mechanical parts. Cobalt is the successor to Ashlar’s earlier program released in 1998.

Debuted in 2001, Cobalt competes with, SolidWorks, CATIA, and Pro/Engineer. Xenon Xenon is the mid-level product in Ashlar-Vellum’s Designer Elements line of 3D modeling and CAD software for product design on Mac and Windows. Xenon's set of tools within the provides integrated 2D/3D sketching, concept development, design visualization, photorealistic, and engineering drawings. Argon Argon's hybrid and capabilities provide flexibility in shape design combined with data accuracy. This aids data translation and collaboration in the design process. Precision 2D drawings generated directly from the 3D model facilitate manufacturing. Argon is Ashlar-Vellum’s entry-level product in their Designer Elements line of 3D modeling and CAD software on Mac and Windows.

The Vellum Interface Drafting Assistant Drafting Assistant automatically keeps track of all the points and parts of the geometry. By brushing over an entity, the Drafting Assistant wakes up the relevant points such as tangent, on, 'center', 'midpoint', 'parallel' or 'perpendicular'. Associativity & History Tree A feature of Xenon and Cobalt, associativity increases productivity of design iterations by automatically updating all related objects when changes are made to the defining geometry. It also updates the 2D sheet views, preserving any annotations made on the sheets. A key element of associativity is the history tree which lists features and associations of a model in the order they were created. It facilitates changes to a model because features can be selected and edited instead of portions deleted and rebuilt, as is required with programs that do not contain history. Changes are rippled through the entire model and the 2D drawing sheets using associativity.

Dimensionally-constrained, Equation-driven Parametrics Found in Ashlar-Vellum’s Cobalt and Graphite software, parametrics drive the shape of a design by mathematical equations and relationships. They facilitate the creation of part families with varying features.

When one dimension changes, others within the model will change or not, according to the equations established to govern those relationships. History Founding Dr. —the creator of the “” in 1975—founded Ashlar, Incorporated in 1988 with Dan Fitzpatrick in Sunnyvale, California. At Xerox PARC during the 1980s, Dr.

Newell researched the interaction between a computer terminal and the computer user contributing to the development of such important tools as the graphical user interface and the computer mouse. After leaving Xerox PARC, Dr.

Newell realized his vision of a 'heads up' CAD interface, where the user was free to focus on designing without distractions from the application. He developed the Inference Engine and patented this intuitive technology as the Drafting Assistant. The Drafting Assistant is the cornerstone of Ashlar-Vellum's unique user interface. Vellum First released in 1988, Ashlar’s Vellum software offered precision drafting with ease of use. In 2001 the Vellum product was rebranded as Graphite. Vellum Solids Originating in 1998, Vellum Solids was Ashlar’s initial 3D solid and surface modeling, utilizing their unique user interface.

In 2001 Vellum Solids was rebranded as Cobalt. External links.