New plug-in parametrically edits history-free 3D geometry in Rhinoceros
LEDAS Ltd., the independent provider of variational design tools, technology components, and software development services for the CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM market, today announced the public beta release 0.1 of its new product, RhinoDirect. This new plug-in for Rhinoceros 3D modeling software by Robert McNeel and Associates is built on the functions provided by the RhinoAssembly plug-in released last month by LEDAS. The version 0.1 of RhinoDirect is available as a free download from www.DrivingDimensions.com/labs.php.
RhinoDirect allows Rhinoceros users to assemble complex mechanisms composed of rigid and non-rigid parts. Three-dimensional shapes of non-rigid parts are adjusted automatically to satisfy the geometric constraints and driving dimensions set by the user. Moreover, RhinoDirect allows users to apply constraints and dimensions directly between the faces and edges of one part.
The first beta version of RhinoDirect has very few limitations. Solids can be modified if their boundaries consist of planar faces with sharp or filleted edges, round holes, and protruding cylinders. These limitations will be overcome by later beta releases; the next beta ships in February.
"RhinoDirect is the next in our Driving Dimensions series of plug-ins for Rhinoceros," explained Dmitry Ushakov, Director of Product Management at LEDAS. "Our first one, RhinoAssembly, has proven to be extremely popular among Rhino users, and we expect an even greater interest in this new plug-in. Our goal is to provide Rhino users with powerful tools that parametrically modify 3D geometry in a direct modeling environment that outperforms the capabilities of all other MCAD and AEC CAD systems on the market."
The version 0.1 of RhinoDirect is compatible with Rhinoceros 4.0 SR5B and higher, and runs on 32-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, and 7. A set of tutorial videos are available at www.DrivingDimensions.com/labs.php. LEDAS plans to ship the commercial version of RhinoDirect before the end of 2010.
About Driving Dimensions Software
Driving Dimensions is a set of end-user applications developed by LEDAS as plug-ins for popular 2D and 3D modeling systems. The aim is to provide users with advanced parameterization capabilities in programs such as Google SketchUp and McNeel & Associates’ Rhinoceros. Driving Dimensions plug-ins are based on Variational Direct Modeling technology, which uses history-free editing of model elements, preserves design intent as expressed by explicit and implicit driving dimensions (linear, angular, or radial), and geometric constraints. Since 2001, LEDAS has been developing its LGS 2D/3D geometric constraint solvers for the simultaneous satisfaction of geometric and dimensional constraints. The solvers are available for licensing by all CAD developers.
More information about the entire Driving Dimensions portfolio of applications can be found at www.DrivingDimensions.com.
About LEDAS
LEDAS Ltd. is an independent software development company founded in 1999. It is based in the Novosibirsk Scientific Centre at Akademgorodok, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science. A leader in constraint-based technologies, LEDAS is well-known as a provider of computational software components for PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions. Its products include geometric constraint solvers for CAD/CAM/CAE, optimization engines (for project management, work scheduling, and meeting planning), and interval technologies for knowledge-based engineering and collaborative design.
The company additionally provides services for PLM markets, such as software development, consulting, reselling, education, and training. More information about LEDAS is available at www.ledas.com.
RhinoDirect, RhinoAssembly, Driving Dimensions and LGS are trademarks of LEDAS Ltd. Any other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.