SolidWorks
URL : http://www.solidworks.com/
Description
SolidWorks is a full-featured conceptual modeling and 3D
Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) tool that integrates well with leading
analysis packages. SolidWorks permits engineers to design,
prototype, and visualization complex systems including real-world
laboratory experiments, and virtual-world computational
simulations. The SolidWorks applications suite available
for university researchers in earthquake engineering includes a
full-featured 3D modeling environment as well as integrated
finite-element analysis capabilities provided by the COSMOS
finite-element analysis tool.
Features
SolidWorks permits a full range of standard 3D CAD drawing
capabilities, but also includes integrated conceptual visualization,
aggregation into assemblies, rigid-body physical simulation to evaluate
serviceability of proposed designs, parametric design, sharing of files
in collaborative work environments, and various software agents to
handle repetitive tasks. SolidWorks' modeling capabilities
integrate seamlessly with web data (e.g., analysts can readily create
graphically-oriented web pages from a SolidWorks model), and permit
libraries of standard parts (e.g., standard sensors used in earthquake
engineering applications) to be shared among members of a team of
engineering collaborators. SolidWorks also includes additional
modules for Product Data Management, rendering of SolidWorks models,
and animation of transient response into web-deployable AVI files.
Pricing and Software Metrics
- Supported platforms include all major Windows platforms, though
the newest Windows systems (Windows XP and Windows 2000) are
recommended for use with the latest versions of SolidWorks. A
modern OpenGL-capable graphics card is required to use SolidWorks
effectively.
- Software quality is of the Commercial grade
- SolidWorks integrates seamlessly with an associated version of
the COSMOS finite-element analysis application, and this entire
application suite is available for use in educational settings.