CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
1 November 2005
Product News
Alibre Drops Internet Advertising from Free CAD Software
Alibre®, Inc ., has announced that it will remove advertising and the internet connection requirement from Alibre Design XpressT with the latest release of the product on November 7.
Originally released anonymously earlier this year as the mysterious X-CAD, Alibre Design Xpress gives free access to true parametric 3D modeling technology. In addition to the new release allowing customers to run the application without a live Internet connection and fully removing commercial content, it also simplifies the download and installation process by streamlining registration and license key generation. Now users need not register initially to obtain a license key; if they choose to register, they will receive additional product features.
According to Greg Milliken, CEO of Alibre, the widespread popularity of the free CAD application has eliminated the original justification for banner advertising: "Initially we looked at advertisements as a way to subsidize Xpress, but our ability to convert Xpress users to paying customers has exceeded our expectations. The more people who try the free product, the more who want to buy additional capabilities. Expanding usage has the greatest upside, even at the expense of some near-term ad revenue. By removing the Internet connection requirement and ads, and by simplifying the download and installation process, Xpress will have greater appeal and reach even more users."
A recent design contest showcased 3D projects built with Alibre Design Xpress. The competition showed that the capabilities of free CAD including the ability to design 3D parts and assemblies and create associative 2D drawings rival those of much more expensive CAD applications and proved that Xpress is a serious 3D CAD tool.
"Users of Xpress come from a wide variety of industries and market segments," added Milliken. "The product is being used by companies of all sizes, as well as by consultants, individuals working on the side, hobbyists, students, you name it. Alibre Design Xpress has tapped into a nerve in the market, and the numbers show that there are many, many potential users who are not served by other products and channels."
For a reasonable fee, users of Xpress can instantly upgrade the product to obtain additional advanced modeling and 2D drawing tools, the ability to design larger assemblies, data management, sheet metal design and collaboration tools, along with direct support and upgrades to future releases.
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