CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
24 January 2007
Company News
think3 Engineers in India Conduct First in a Series of Collaborative free2Design Training Courses at Premiere Chinese University
think3 Inc.® recently completed its first in a series of collaborative training sessions with Zhejiang University in China as part of the company's initiative to introduce free and legal use of 2D software into emerging markets. More than 150 engineering students and their teachers were trained by think3 engineers based in its Indian operations during a week-long course at Zhejiang. Since its introduction last October, free2DesignT at http://www.free2Design.org has had more than 20,000 downloads of its free 2D software. The initiative also includes a rich community user site where people can exchange ideas about product development.
"Our design and engineering students are learning the fundamental techniques for product design with a tool that they can continue to use after graduation at no cost, which is something they haven't had access to before now. Our teachers who manage the CAD laboratory are also involved in the training so we are creating a multiplying effect in terms of how many students can learn about free2Design in the coming years," said Professor Lu Guodong, who teaches at the School of Mechanical and Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University. "Our plan is to offer a new 2D training course as part of the regular curriculum starting this spring."
"We are excited about how quickly our partnerships have progressed and how eager Chinese students are to get access to a complete 2D solution," said Eugenio Vacca, senior product manager for free2Design at think3 . "In particular, being able to connect our experts in India with the instructors at the university in China illustrates one of many synergies we can build using the professional skills available in the two fastest growing Asian countries."
About free2Design
think3's free2Design mechanical CAD software provides users a production-proven set of capabilities for creating 2D documentation based on think3's 2D products and services used by thousands of small to mid sized manufacturers around the world for the past 15 years. It is a full-featured 2D solution with more functions than industry standards like AutoCAD®. In addition, it also has import and export DXF/DWG format capabilities that make it compatible with AutoCAD.
free2Design is available in English and Chinese at http://www.free2Design.org . Additional languages will be added in the coming months. The software is available for free download practically everywhere in the world. As free2Design users become more proficient, think3 also offers an easy and integrated upgrade to 3D, industrial design capabilities and full PDM/PLM capabilities to support the Product Lifecycle as a whole.
The http://www.free2Design.org community site provides an immediate source of information and interaction for registered users that include:
• Free and immediate access to all API development examples, libraries of symbols and drawing examples --- free for registered users to upload or download content
• A variety of community-driven documents that include getting started, documentation, tips and tricks, help and frequently asked questions
• Online training that includes downloadable self-training material and Web seminars
• Forums that support general product and industry discussions
• Industry or CAD-related news that users can contribute to as well
• User Opinion Surveys
About Zhejiang University
Under the direct administration of China's Ministry of Education, the new Zhejiang University is a comprehensive university with fields of study covering eleven branches of learning, including: philosophy, literature, history, education, science, economics, law, management, engineering, agriculture and medicine. The university has 115 specialties for undergraduate studies, and it is entitled to confer master's degrees in 312 programs and doctoral degrees in 237 programs.
Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.
Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.
CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.