Delcam’s new free software, PowerSHAPE-e, allows everyone involved in the product development process, especially those that are not CAD specialists, to view, experiment with and comment on CAD data. It can be downloaded from www.powershape-e.com. Users cannot make unauthorised alterations to the original master model but instead can save marked-up comments or recommendations on the CAD file. These suggestions can then be sent back to the designer, who will make the final decision whether or not to implement the changes.
The software is suitable for people that do not normally use CAD systems, such as sales staff or market researchers Users can experiment with unlimited different variants to improve the appearance or functionality of the design. Once the suggested modifications are agreed, the model can be marked up with the changes requested to any dimensions. Similarly, staff in manufacturing can suggest changes to improve productivity.
PowerSHAPE-e has a wide range of easy-to-use surface and solid modelling functions to modify imported models. The software includes all the Delcam Exchange data translation options and so can read in files from all the main CAD systems, including CATIA, UG, Pro/Engineer, IDEAS, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor and Solid Edge, as well as neutral formats such as IGES and STEP. It does not import the history of operations used to create the CAD file, so minimising the possibility of a modification to one part of the model producing an unexpected change in another area.