Hewlett-Packard Co has released version 3.0 of its solid modelling design software. HP Precision Engineering SolidDesigner 3.0 is designed to speed up the transition process to three-dimensional modelling as users can import data from other design packages, then modify it as if it had been created within the system itself. This version has improved Initial Graphics Exchange standard import capabilities that enable both surface and wire-frame data to be transferred into the solid modelling software. Surface and solid data can also be imported via the STEP, Standard for the Exchange of Product model, data format. Once transferred this data can coexist with HP PE/SolidDesigner data and can be manipulated accordingly. The SolidDesigner also enables solid parts and assemblies to be exported to the object oriented, geometric modeller ACIS-based systems using Version 1.5 of the ACIS SAT file format, this feature also provides a direct link to other ACIS-based systems. With HP PE/SolidDesigner 3.0 users can set layout accuracy because they can model with parts of different accuracy by forcing them to a common accuracy, users can then import and work on models from other computer aided design systems independent of their accuracy. Hewlett-Packard plans the next major release of SolidDesigner for the second quarter of 1995 and says it will be available on Sun Microsystems Inc workstations by early 1995 and on Silicon Graphics Inc stations during the first half of 1995 at a starting price of $7,500.
