CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
13 September 2007
Product News
Rhino® and SpaceClaim Partner to Break-down Barriers between Industrial and Mechanical Design; Industrial Designers Can Now Deliver More Complete Designs
Robert McNeel & Associates, Inc., a privately held company specializing in stylized surfacing software, and SpaceClaim Corp. announced interoperability between Rhinoceros and SpaceClaim, enabling product stylists to include 3D mechanical design elements in their designs and deliverables. The solution allows Rhino files to be opened directly in SpaceClaim for creating and modifying solid geometry. The 3D model can then be sent back in the Rhino file format for precise surface modifications by the industrial designer. SpaceClaim Professional 2007's intuitive 3D and Rhino's free form modeling are naturally compatible, offering uninhibited, precise modeling and a short learning curve. The solution greatly improves collaboration between design disciplines resulting in better product designs and faster time-to-market.
"Our clients use free-form modeling to create very precise surfaces that meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. One of their biggest challenges is ensuring that the fidelity of the design is maintained throughout the design and manufacturing processes. This can break down when the design is passed between product styling and product engineering" stated Bob McNeel, CEO of Robert McNeel & Associates. "When SpaceClaim demonstrated the ability to open Rhino files, add and modify design elements that conform to the surfaces, and then return the model to Rhino, I was extremely impressed."
Industrial designers must work closely with product engineering to develop stylized surfaces that also meet mechanical design requirements. This requires seamless data exchange between surfacing and design applications. Rhino and SpaceClaim integration meets that need by enabling product stylists to create free-form surfaces in context of the product design. For instance, from within SpaceClaim industrial designers can directly modify 3D geometry, such as support ribs or bosses, which conform to the stylized surfaces. Precise surface modifications can be made within Rhino and accurately transferred to the SpaceClaim model. Product engineering benefits from receiving more complete designs that require little to no surface modifications.
"SpaceClaim is committed to partnerships that address real customer needs. Rhino and SpaceClaim interoperability enables the industrial designer to collaborate more effectively with product design. By bringing in Rhino formats directly into SpaceClaim, stylists can maintain both surface and geometry precision as the design progresses" commented Mike Payne, SpaceClaim CEO. "Additionally, both companies share a dedication to open products that provide an exceptional user experience. We look forward to working with McNeel and Associates and the entire Rhino user community."
Upcoming Events and Availability
SpaceClaim (booth 3911) will both be demonstrating SpaceClaim Professional 2007 and Rhino solutions at the National Manufacturing Week, Sept 25-27, in Rosemont, IL.
To arrange for an on-site meeting at this event or to obtain more information, please go to: http://www.spaceclaim.com/contact-us.aspx
Rhino integration is included at no additional cost with the 3D Data Exchange Package upgrade, schedule for November.
SpaceClaim Professional 2007 and 3D Data Exchange package are available world-wide for purchase and for download directly from the company web site, http://www.spaceclaim.com/ .
VAR Program
SpaceClaim is extending a special invitation and incentive licensing program to Rhino value-added resellers to add SpaceClaim to their selling portfolios. If you are interested in becoming a SpaceClaim VAR please visit our website at http://www.spaceclaim.com/ or contact the VAR manager, Jeffrey Eaton, at Jeffrey.Eaton@spaceclaim.com .
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