microsites>>   

AutoSolids v1.1 - Review

John McIver

AutoSolids Version 1.1 is a solid modeling application which runs as an add-on to AutoCAD Release 14.01 or 2000. It is produced and distributed by Varimetric Solutions, Inc, through their dealer network and directly from their web site.

Although use of AutoSolids is restricted to those who are already using AutoCAD, if you are an AutoCAD user and wish to progress to a professional level of 3D solid modeling then AutoSolids can offer an inexpensive alternative to converting to a separate solid modeling program.

Requirements

As far as the hardware and software requirements for AutoSolids are concerned, AutoSolids requires a copy of either AutoCAD Release 14.01 or 2000 to be available in order to run. AutoSolids is implemented as an Autodesk ARX application and runs within the AutoCAD program environment. The issues of operating system compatibility and hardware needs are simply addressed. If you're successfully running a suitable copy of AutoCAD then AutoSolids will also be compatible with your system.

One item to note for anyone using Release 14 of AutoCAD is the need for the specific sub-version, Release 14.01. This was a mid-version update which added a number of subtle changes to the program. If you're still using the earlier Release 14.0 then you will either need to update to Release 14.01 (if the revision is still available from Autodesk) or upgrade to AutoCAD 2000 in order to be able to use AutoSolids.

Installation

The software is provided in the form of a distribution disk and supporting manuals. The software installation process uses the InstallShield program and this ran without any problems, installing the program files and tutorial examples into their own sub-directory on disk.

After installation the program then needs to be authorised, being locked to the serial number of the version of AutoCAD being used. The authorisation code required can be supplied by phone, fax or e-mail from Varimetric Solutions, on supply of an appropriate AutoCAD serial number.

AutoSolids also includes a substantial selection of additional software, made up of a combination of free and shareware applications which would be of direct relevance to most people involved in mechanical design.

Documentation

The program documentation falls into two categories; hardcopy and on-line. The hardcopy documentation comprises two items. There is a brief four page "Command Reference" summary, and a more substantial 50 page "Getting Started" document.

The "Command Summary" is a list of all the commands implemented in AutoSolids, what they do and how they're accessed. This provides a very good overview of exactly what features are available. The "Getting Started" document is an introduction to some of the basics of 3D modeling and an overview of the more important functions in AutoSolids. It provides a good introduction to the program's operation.

For specific details of the operation of the individual AutoSolids commands one has to rely on the on-line Help file provided. Fortunately this is comprehensive and easily accessible when you're running the application.

For potential purchasers, copies of the documentation can be viewed or downloaded from the AutoSolids web site, in Adobe PDF format, as can a demo copy of AutoSolids itself. 

Operation

At first one could be a little confused as to why there should be a market for an add-on solid modeler running within AutoCAD. AutoCAD itself offers basic solid modeling functions, with the ability to create a number of primitive shapes, to create revolved and extruded parts, and to perform union, subtraction and intersection operations. It's only when you've used AutoSolids that you can begin to appreciate how basic the standard AutoCAD functions are.

All the AutoSolids icon menus on the screen, plus the dialog box used for the creation and editing of 3D solid objects. (Click to see larger image)

AutoSolids duplicates all the standard AutoCAD solid modeling commands, but with a much friendlier user interface. This makes the commands much more accessible. I only found out during this review that the native AutoCAD solid modeling functions include the ability to fillet or chamfer a solid. AutoSolids also performs these tasks, though with an interface which makes the presence of these commands far more obvious, and which is much more pleasant to use. 

Of particular interest, AutoSolids implements a full parametric editing facility, in the sense that any object, or collection of objects, created with AutoSolids can be edited at a later date and their controlling dimensions, or reference geometry, altered. This can be done with both the simplest primitive or very complex composite solids. When a key dimension, or multiple dimensions, are changed the solid will adjust to the new values. Even individual solid elements, making up part of a more complex object, can be manipulated, or even replaced entirely with a completely different element.

Cylinder editing dialogue box. This shows the degree of adjustment available for an object after that object has been created. (Click to see larger image)

This feature is only available while using the AutoSolids application. If you revert to AutoCAD's native solid modeling commands this parametric feature will no longer be accessible, though the fundamental solid modeling data will still be available and able to be edited and otherwise manipulated.

AutoSolids, like AutoCAD and many other solid modelers currently on the market, uses the Spatial Technologies ACIS solid modeling engine. Parts can be exported to other compatible applications by saving them to the "SAT" file format, using the standard AutoCAD "EXPORT" command. As an exercise, a test file was created and exported to disk, then read in by several other applications which were at hand on the review computer. These included IronCAD, Spatial's own ACIS viewer (version 6.0), AutoVue Pro for Windows, 3D Studio VIZ (though with data needing to be in the form of a 3DS or DWG file) and two custom applications written using an obsolete copy of an ACIS development tool called "Building Blox". All read the geometry without any problems, with complete and accurate transfer of geometry.

On-screen, some of the ease with which AutoSolids operates is due to the menus and user interface it provides. On first starting the program three floating toolbars are displayed on the screen. A pulldown menu option across the top of the screen is also available, or individual commands can be entered by typing on the AutoCAD command line. The toolbars provide direct access to all the AutoSolids commands.

Rendered 3D solid object on-screen showing rendering quality. The open dialog box shows the range of control over the rendering quality and the on-screen display of 3D models. (Click to see larger image)

When various functions are selected, where appropriate, useful dialogue boxes are provided. These appear to have been well considered, as they almost always operate in the way you would want them to, indicating they have been developed with the end user in mind. As a case in point, when creating new geometry a "Preview" button is provided, to allow for a visual check of the final result before committing to creating the new solid.

To compete with the higher end solid modeling programs, which tend to prefer a screen display showing shaded objects, AutoSolids can also offer a screen display of either wireframe, hidden line or fully shaded objects. While shaded displays usually translate to slower computer system performance, no noticeable degradation was apparent in this case. For reference, the review system was a Pentium II (333 megahertz) with 128 megabytes of system memory, which is a fairly average level of hardware these days.

The QUICKDRAW facility, showing how 2D layout drawings can be quickly and automatically created from a 3D solid model. (Click to see larger image)

Two other features which are available in AutoSolids, and comparable with those you would find in dedicated solid modeling program, are the automated creation of 2D drawings, and interference checking between objects.

Once a 3D object has been created there is generally a need to produce 2D design or layout drawings of that object. As the design data for an object is already available, most modern solid modeling programs provide the ability to create a set of 2D layout drawings automatically, from the 3D model. AutoSolids is no exception. A function called "QuickDraw" will accept one or several 3D solids and produce a set of good quality 2D drawings, complete with the display of hidden lines if required. Although not quite as sophisticated as a dedicated solid modeling program, the AutoSolids system is simple to use and operates well.

The resulting 2D layout drawing produced from the 3D solid shown in the previous image. Note that hidden lines can optionally be automatically produced, and these can be assigned to a different drawing layer. (Click to see larger image)

Interference checking involves selecting two groups of solids, with one group being compared against the other. The number of conflicts found between objects is reported, with an option provided to convert each instance of interfering objects to an intersecting solid.

Perhaps one of the most attractive features about AutoSolids is that it goes close to providing the level of functionality to be found in a standalone solid modeling application, but allows the user to remain within a familiar working environment. From my own point of view, I have over 15 years of experience in using AutoCAD and know the program very well. While I have no doubt there are better CAD programs around, to sacrifice that depth of knowledge to move to another program is a very major step, and not one I'd want to make without good reason. AutoSolids provides me with the tools to perform sophisticated solid modeling, while allowing me to remain within my familiar environment, and so protect my AutoCAD knowledge base. This, to my mind, is the single most attractive feature of AutoSolids.

Conclusion

For existing AutoCAD users, AutoSolids provides a cost-effective means of moving into professional 3D solid modeling. The program is very stable, works well and provides most of the features required in a serious solid modeling application. It is both easy and enjoyable to use, and has the intangible benefit of retaining an operator's experience invested in AutoCAD, which would otherwise be lost if a move to a new, dedicated solid modeling application were made.

Price

AutoSolids Version 1.1 has a recommended retail price of $US995. 

Demonstration versions of the software are also available from AutoSolid's web site.

Please rate our article...

 

Sponsored Links

AnyDWG Offers DWG to PDF, DWG to DXF, PDF to DWG, DWG to JPG, PDF to DXF Converters

AutoDWG offers DWF to DWG, DWG to PDF , PDF to DWG, DWG to Flash Converters, DWG Viewer.

eCampus.com Get your stuff for College... Cheap! Textbooks, Greek Gear, DVD's, University Clothing, Computers and MORE!

Access Your PC from Anywhere Free Trial plus 10% Off!