Revcad Software Announces Sheet Lightning 5.0 

The specialized sheet metal and structural steel 3D CAD unfolding software to be released in April 2002

March 25 2002 -- Revcad Software is pleased to announce the much awaited release of Sheet Lightning Version 5.0 which will bring the program to the forefront of modern CAD programming technology. Sheet Lightning is specialized CAD software for designing and unfolding sheet metal ducting, flues, hoppers, chimneys, tubular structural steel etc.

Sheet Lightning Version 5.0 is priced at $695 (USD) with a discount of $100(USD) to all purchasers of the existing program (i.e. $595 to existing license holders). The opportunity to purchase the older version (Version 3.60) at the token price of $50(USD) and obtain the discount remains until the release of the final version. It can be downloaded and registered at www.revcad.com/Sheet5/Register/register.html.

History

Sheet Lightning was originally developed and released in 1990. Its first release was priced at $4000 (USD) and marked a radical advance in design capability with its full 3D design environment, capable of handling designs of a high degree of complexity. The program developed until 1993 adding a powerful parametric environment that worked in collaboration with the 3D enabling users to build their own parameterised design library.From 1993 onwards Revcad became contractually engaged in other collaborative projects and products in the structural steel sector and later the automotive sector.

Sheet Lightning was developed on Pre-Windows technology but was packaged to install and operate through Windows. The program continued to sell as a high profile product until June 2000 when Revcad decided (in view of the ageing nature of the software and our pre-occupation with other projects) to release the program at a token give-away price of $50 (USD). As a result numerous copies were downloaded and are in use on a world-wide scale addressing a specialised but varied market and the program has continued to sell until the present day serving its specialist market well. However the advance in Windows software has led to difficulties supporting the program in all new Windows operating systems (particularly 2000 and XP). This has therefore led to increased pressure on Revcad to release a new version of the program.

The New Release

Sheet Lightning Version 5.0 The new program has been modelled on the best features of modern CAD system technology and the best parts of the former Sheet Lightning program. Existing users will find great similarities with the design methods of the previous versions of the program. The following itemises the new features of version 5:

Fully Windows program compatible with all Windows operating systems (95/98ME/NT/2000/XP).

Direct export to CAD programs (such as Autocad) - no need to save and pick up files.

New object cross sections with variable radii for all rectangular corners.

OpenGL support.

Closer relationship between 3D and parametric environment.

Full printing capability of full size patterns and design images - for manufacture or reports.

Version 5 will be fully backwards compatible (able to load files of previous versions).

The initial release (end of March 2002) will be an Alpha pre-release version for the benefit of users who are desperate to obtain it for their new operating systems. Alpha means the program will be incomplete in terms of the final release specification but will contain all the major feature and be fully useable. Purchasers of the the new program will be given access to a passworded web page where they can download the latest update (at no additional cost). Version 5 updates are planned every 2-4 weeks for 3 months until the final release at the end of June 2002. Purchasing a version 5.0 license covers all alpha and beta versions (5.x) and the final version 5 release.

Technology

In terms of Sheet Lightning's specialist capability of handling one-off sheet metal designs and of complex intersections the program continues to offer the unrivaled leading edge of technology. Since the completion of the current version Revcad have been actively engaged in highly technical engineering projects and products in the structural steel and automotive sectors, and have become avid exponents of object oriented programming technology applied to CAD. As such a software foundation has been developed by Revcad, on which the new Sheet Lightning (v5) is based that will allow for future rapid application development. We therefore expect in the near future to be able expand our applications to offer new and highly competitive engineering solutions to our customers. We will keep you informed.

www.revcad.com

 

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