Review Alibre Translate 3D for CATIA Pro/E SolidWorks..

March 2009 saw a lot happen with our Alibre 3D CAD software line. It was interesting to watch a little stampede develop during the last couple days of March because of a sale we had going! But that same month we were given Alibre Design 11.2 with several enhancements. Significantly, these included the release of AlibreTranslate, a new product Alibre launched tucked into Alibre Premium version for free in March. There are some cool features offered by the new AlibreTranslate.

AlibreTranslate imports the following 3D CAD formats directly:

• Dassault SolidWorks .sldprd 3D model files and .sldprt assembly files
• Dassault CATIA V5 .CATPart model files and .CATProduct assemblies
• EDS/UGS/Siemens Solid Edge 3D .par parts and .asm assemblies
• Autodesk Inventor .ipt parts and .iam 3D assemblies
• PTC Pro Engineer & Wildfire .prt models and .asm assemblies, also .xpr & .xas
• Parasolid: v18 (*.x_t, *.x_b, *.xmt_txt, *.xmt_bin)

AlibreTranslate also offers a range of automated model check, stitching and healing functions with the software. This assures closed manifold 3D objects which can be edited directly in Alibre as solid models. Units conversion between English Imperial and Metric are also included. Alibre 3D CAD already supports Rhino 3DM, AP 214 STEP, ISO IGES, Spatial (Dassault) ACIS SAT for translation to progeCAD, AutoCAD, TurboCAD as well as native AutoCAD DWG file support. Enabled with the optional AlibreTranslate license, a CAD designer can import almost any mainstream CAD model and edit it.

AlibreTranslate also exports to write directly to:

• SolidWorks 3D model file .sldprt format
• Parasolid: v18 (*.x_t, *.x_b, *.xmt_txt, *.xmt_bin)

AlibreTranslate uses a fast intermediate STEP conversion to import the final solid volumes from the various 3D CAD formats, and the included adjustable healing algorithms help assure design integrity - as shown in this perfectly imported and beautifully rendered Pro Engineer model assembly below:

Readers may download Alibre Design software (which includes AlibreTranslate) directly from CADDIT and run for 30 days in full version mode before choosing either to buy or continuing on with a free Xpress license. Support for Alibre in Australia is offered on our new Alibre forum page.

CAD CAM Australia 2009 Comes At Three Levels

CADDIT has officially released the Alibre CAD/CAM software line for Australia on their online CAD software store. Alibre takes an important place with CADDIT's "Three-Tier-Portfolio" of software now being offered to Australian design and industry service customers. Many already know Alibre CAD to be a cost effective mid-range CAD offering parametric solid modelling, sheet metal design, basic motion kinematics, associative 2D layout detailing and other features. Designers also have the option to "drive" models from a spreadsheet, linking CAD designs to Microsoft Excel tables.

CADDIT will be working with Alibre to support both the Alibre CAD, complete with photo-render, Alibre Vault PDM, Algor Designcheck FEA and Rhino 3D Surfacing software - as well as the newer Alibre CAM line for associative 2.5 to 5 axis CNC milling. Alibre was released simultaneously on the CAD CAM Australia web portal and discussion is held on the CADDIT CAD Forum.

Alibre 3D CAD CAM software is offered as a "good starting point" for Australian business looking for cost-effective 3D design software, but looking to keep within a conservative budget. Alibre offers powerful design similar to SolidWorks, Siemens Solid Edge and Autodesk Inventor - but at a much lower price.

Alibre will join CADDIT's existing two CAD CAM product lines:

1. progeCAD/progeCAM basic low cost design & 2.5 axis machining for lathe mill & wire EDM
2. T-FLEX high-end hybrid surface/solid freeform-parametric PLM software.

Users can begin immediately downloading the new Alibre V11 from the CADDIT website. This software will run in full Expert mode for thirty days before reverting to it's free Xpress mode of asking for a commercial license which can be bought HERE.