Spaceclaim Corporation is releasing Spaceclaim LT (EUR470, $695) and LTX (EUR605, $895) 3D design products and, in the process, says that it has established state-of-the-art solid modelling as a companion to existing design workflow.

The company states that, for the first time, anybody can work in 3D without the hindrances of the traditional CAD learning curve and associated CAD costs.

Spaceclaim LT and LTX are targeted at designers, engineers and architects who already have efficient and cost-effective 2D tools, as well as hobbyists who would take advantage of affordable 3D design software. Spaceclaim's general-purpose solid modelling adds value to existing processes, enabling customers to combine 2D and 3D techniques to enhance the vast breadth of use cases where 2D tools flourish.

Spaceclaim LT and LTX feature the ability to: quickly create 3D solid models; open, edit and document 3D solid models from colleagues, suppliers, and customers; and bring 2D drawings into 3D to improve communication and accuracy.

The two CAD packages leverage the identical software architecture and technology of the company's flagship design system, Spaceclaim Professional 2007+, providing users with a solid modelling environment with a modern user interface.

Unlike traditional history-based modellers that require operators to be trained in feature programming, Spaceclaim is said to deliver a radical new paradigm for creating 3D solid models. Spaceclaim models can easily be moved into popular 2D and 3D packages, where they can be further documented, manipulated, and rendered.

Mike Payne, Spaceclaim's chief executive officer, comments: “Spaceclaim is accessible to all designers, regardless of their trade, while traditional solid modelling systems tend to require dedicated operators running domain-specific, vertical applications. We are making 3D as straightforward to use as 2D and therefore we expect it to become as ubiquitous.”

The main differences between Spaceclaim's products are import and export capabilities, as well as some options and services that are available with Spaceclaim Professional 2007+. Spaceclaim LT provides import of Step, Iges, DXF, DWG, BMP, JPG and PNG file formats and export of DXF, DWG, XAML, STL, VRML, BMP, JPG and PNG file formats. Spaceclaim LTX provides these capabilities as well as export of Step and Iges files for use in other 3D systems.

Spaceclaim LT and LTX customers can reclaim 50 per cent of the cost of Spaceclaim LT or LTX when purchasing Spaceclaim Professional 2007+ within six months. Spaceclaim 2007+ includes a range of modules such as 3D data exchange (including Rhino and other popular mechanical CAD formats), Catia, JT Open, sheet metal, Traceparts standard parts library, Ecad and Ansys integration.

Available immediately, Spaceclaim LT and LTX are offered in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese languages. They can be purchased online through Spaceclaim and its network of resellers. Regional pricing is available online.

Spaceclaim LT and LTX