Parametric Technology Corp has launched Pro/JR, a design package for machined and common plastic parts and assemblies. The software is based on Parametric’s ProEngineer 14.0 mechanical design automation software. It is intended for designers currently using two-dimensional drafting products that need a a relatively cheap parametric solid modelling system. It estimates the product will have a market of roughly 400,000 to 600,000 copies. Pro/JR costs $8,000. Pro/JR will run on iAPX-86 and R-series RISC-based hardware running under both Windows NT and Unix operating systems. A developer’s tool kit is available for $6,000. The company says it has 50 resellers in North America that will sell and support the product and estimates that around 110 value-added resellers will carry the product by September. PRO/JR users will be given a $6,000 trade-in credit to buy its Pro/Engineer basic package, which costs $16,000, or the advanced designer package, which is $20,000.
