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TurboCAD 18 ProfessionalPlatform: PC Rating: E Status: Available |
$1295.00
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OverviewTurboCAD Pro 18 is advanced general purpose 2D/3D CAD software for design, drafting, detailing and modeling. Powerful 2D parametric constraints, 3D surface & solid modeling, photorealistic rendering and extensive file interoperability appeal to professionals spanning numerous disciplines. It's everything you need to realize your vision and collaborate with others. TurboCAD Pro is an easy to use yet also a powerful CAD product suitable for all your design, drafting, and modeling needs. It appeals to numerous professional design disciplines whose users are interested in r a full set mechanical and architectural design tools at an attractive and affordable price. TurboCAD Pro features are extensible; either by upgrading to the Platinum Edition or by purchasing any of a number of design plug-ins. In addition, there is now Ruby scripting support for writing simple or advanced customizations in a language that is similar and compatible with GoogleTM SketchUpTM Ruby scripts. Interested in developing your on TurboCAD-based add-on or plug-in? No problem, the Software Developers Kit (SDK) is available for those wishing to program their own products and tools. TurboCAD Pro includes all the drawing and modification tools needed to draw practically anything you can imagine. It's powerful tools for 2D or 3D design include PDF underlay, 2D parametric constraints, 3D pattern tools, 3D modeling, incredible photorealistic rendering withray tracing, lighting,and materials, not to mention its unmatched CAD and graphics file interoperability. TurboCAD Pro advances productivity with tools that allow for design, modification, presentation, and documentation in an integrated workflow. And because we know that most people use a number of tools or collaborate with others frequently, TurboCAD Pro is designed to provide excellent interoperability to and from other applications. Open, insert, or embed up to 35 different file formats and export up to 28, including the latest .DWG and .DXF for AutoCAD 2011 and a .SKP filter that now reads/writes up to GoogleTM SketchUpTM version 8 Additional filters include .3DM (Rhinoceros®), .3DS (Autodesk® 3ds Max®), IGES, STEP, .OBJ, COLLADA (.DAE - export); vector formats including .EPS and .SVG; raster formats including .BMP, .GIF, .JPG, .PNG, .TIF, and more. TurboCAD Pro reads and writes .DWG and .DXF files from R14 through 2011 including AutoCAD® Architecture objects. This broad range of support helps to maintain your intellectual property investment by supporting older files, models, and parts. It also makes it easy to access parts from vendors or posted on model exchange sites like the Google 3D Warehouse. FeaturesWhat's New in v18 The most affordable CAD application for collaborative 2D drafting, 3D design, and modeling - keeps getting better! High Performance Tools New GPU based accelerator technology boosts 2D and 3D graphics performance to record levels with an incredible 60x speed gain over previous TurboCAD releases. Lightning fast wireframe, hidden line, and shaded draft rendering modes let you concentrate on your design without the disruption caused by slow regenerations. Highly demanded, multi-threading support is now available to take advantage of today's multi-core processors. Now you can power through your complex solid modelings and photorealistic renderings faster than ever before. Updated Lightworks® engine includes improved progressive ray-traced rendering, anti-aliasing, and lighting for professional looking visual effects and results. Smarter, Faster Design and Drafting 2D and 3D capabilities play an important role during the project design process. The end result of a CAD project usually ends with 2D production drawings for purposes of construction. TurboCAD Pro excels in its 2D and 3D functionality. Attach PDF files for referencing and underlayment of background drawings. Keep your drawings clean and optimized with the Purge tool to remove unwanted and unused layers, blocks, line styles, and more. The ability to explode viewports makes it easy to create flat 2D vector drawings from any view of the model. The Drafting Palette creates associative views, sections, and detailed views that can be updated in real-time - even from an Xref. These object views can be dimensioned and annotated rapidly. As the 3D design is modified, associated 2D drawing views are also updated thus making change management automatic. Different visual styles allow for materials, fills, even transparent fills and gradients to be used to add effects and visual clarity. Lines and custom line styles allow for color or width by layer. Polyline segments may have differing starting and ending line widths. It all begins though with fundamental drawing tools. And in that regard TurboCAD Pro is rich. Included in the program are:
TurboCAD also includes drawing aides. These include:
There are many more tools to aid in the drafting and detailing functions, including ones which allow you to quickly and easily createviews and viewports of any size and shape. There are also extensive paper space and printing capabilities, Marker and Schedule tools, leaders, multi-leaders, dimension tools, and symbol content. See additional information on the next several pages regarding the Drafting Palette, Parametric Constraints, Annotation, and Symbols. Drafting Palette It distinguishes between surface and ACIS solid models automatically, turning 3D designs into associative 2D manufacturing or construction drawings, even when working on an Xref. This means your sectional views and elevations in Layout (Paper Space) will update automatically as the model changes. For mechanical design, this means parts and assemblies can have all standard views, 2D or 3D sections, and detailed views chosen by selection; or created as a derivative of an existing view. Dimensions for solid model objects are associative too so they update automatically and scale correctly in Paper Space; and geometry is recognized so that individual parts may be separately hatched or include different line weights and color. The solid model engine works with SAT objects in AutoCAD .DWG files, objects created with any 3D ACIS® Modeler, or saved in IGES or STEP format. For architectural design, a 3D model from SketchUp (.SKP), Rhinoceros® (.3dm), AutoCAD Architecture (.DWG), or other application may be used to create elevations, floorplans, sections, even detailed views, all of which are associative to changes in the model. With every section, each element may be hatched, colored, or have its line weight and style adjusted as needed, with separate controls for visible and hidden line. A section line depth setting was also added with version 18. Individual Drafting Palette items, or the entire Drafting Palette, may be locked, essentially caching changes and disabling updates of drafting objects until unlocked. This allows modeling to continue at speed - particularly important with larger models that have numerous sections, elevations, and views. Each section may be regenerated individually or all simultaneously. There are more than 15 file formats for 3D models supported by TurboCAD Pro that may be opened directly, imported, or included via Xref that the Drafting Palette will recognize. This makes TurboCAD Pro a fabulous drafting and detailing companion to numerous other 3D design applications if your work involves collaboration with others using diverse software. Mechanical Tools TurboCAD Pro includes a complete set of 3D drawing and editing tools, the powerful ACIS® solid modeling engine and D-CubedTM 2D DCM constraint manager from Siemens Industry Software Limited. These tools and technologies make TurboCAD ideal for both single part and small assembly mechanical designs 3D drawing primitives include:
3D Editing and Modification Tools:
Assembly Tools:
Specialised Mechanical Object Tools:
Architectural Tools TurboCAD Pro includes an integrated suite of architectural tools that accelerate productivity in design and drafting, or in the documentation of existing compatible architectural models. TurboCAD architectural objects are AutoCAD® Architecture (ACA) compatible so that .DWG models with ACA extensions may be read, modified, and documented as needed. Architectural Tools included in TurboCAD Pro are Wall, Window, Door, Roof, Slab, Stair, Rail (Platinum version), Marker, Schedule, Terrains, and a Style Manager. And all the architectural objects have both 2D and 3D representations, so that elevations, floor plans, and ISO views are easier to document. Not only do walls heal properly and automatically at intersections, but tops of walls now automatically modify when changing a roof slope. Walls are easily moved, cut, have openings inserted, and through the styles manager, may be made into compound walls with different wall styles selected. This adds appropriate hatches and fills, line weights, colors, and more for each layer of the wall. Different styles may be made for interior, exterior, load-bearing, non-load-bearing, or any other type of wall you design. Polylines may be converted to walls, and then styles applied, to quickly modify or start a project. Blocks, whether standard, imported, or created on-the-fly, may be inserted into walls, and the walls will heal and automatically align the blocks. As an integrated set of architectural tools, the walls also treat parametric AEC Door and AEC Window objects accurately and heal correctly, and now with version 18, dimensions display as doors and windows are inserted showing the distance to and from the wall ends for easier, more precise placement. Walls also share information with the Roof and Slab tools for auto-generation of correct dimensions and roof lines. Because the walls are AEC objects recognized by AutoCAD® object enablers for AutoCAD Architecture, a project with self-healing walls started in TurboCAD Pro will continue to be self-healing in AutoCAD, making even the AutoCAD experience better as well. Parametric Doors & Windows There are several door and window types and shapes available for use in creating your architectural drawing. These existing types and shapes can all be edited in the Style Manager to create an unlimited number of new door and window styles. Custom profiles may also be used for unique shapes. Door and window muntins may be added well. Click on the Video tab above to see a demonstration of customizing a window design using muntins. These items are intelligent as well as parametric. This means they work well with other architectural tools - doors and windows communicate with the auto-generated Schedule tool, and they understand how to interact with walls. AEC doors and windows that are inserted into self-healing walls are also recognized by AutoCAD object enablers, so they will be accurately represented in AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT®, or AutoCAD Architecture even though neither AutoCAD, nor AutoCAD LT have the tools necessary to create them (for that you need ACA, DoubleCAD XT Pro, or TurboCAD Pro). Stairs, Slabs, & Roofs Slabs such as concrete spandrels or others can be created in a variety of shapes and sizes. Holes can be added in different shapes and dimensions based on closed polylines to accommodate columns, elevator shafts, or stair wells. Stairs may be added and managed parametrically, whether straight, curved, spiral, u-shaped, multi-landing, or another configuration. Their properties can be managed to determine the specific riser height, width, number of steps, and easily define landing styles and turns. Markers & Schedules The product also includes a Schedule Wizard and tool that generates a table that includes all doors, windows, slabs, and walls used in the drawing. Each object type has its properties listed by style, and quantity by style. The Schedule can be inserted directly into the layout (paper space) and saves valuable time in the creation of your design documents. The Schedule may also be exported as a CSV file for inclusion in job costing calculations. Styles Management Styles can also provide attribute information that appear in Schedules. Many styles also may be read from existing AutoCAD® Architecture .DWG drawings so that information is not lost and your intellectual property is protected. Changes to doors, windows, and other objects may be made globally at the Style Manager level, or locally through the Selection Info Palette and local Properties menu for complete control over an individual part's properties. This provides tremendous flexibility and productivity in both design and revision. The Style Manager includes many basic window and door types, shapes, and even a Profile style for creating custom shapes for doors and windows. Wall styles can be created for separate properties on interior or exterior walls, load bearing, or insulated walls. The Style Manager allows for the definition of Text, Table, Schedule, Wall, Window, Door, MultiLeader, Profile, Stair, Rail, Slab, Dimension, and AEC Dimension styles. Terrain The Terrain Modifier tool allows for sections of terrain to be leveled, and slopes to be created around those shapes. This quickly simulates the grading of sites within a terrain for a proper view of site plans. The Import Terrain function works with terrain data in a .txt or .xyz file. The format for each coordinate is presented with X, Y, and Z values, separated by commas or spaces. All values are relative to the origin of the terrain you specify during the import function, whether 0, 0, 0, or another location. House Wizard Parametric Constraints Rapid Revision Productivity Geometric Constraints
Dimensional Constraints
The auto constrain feature will attach all possible constraints to a selection, or set auto constrain ON, while drawing and relationships will be added as you go. All standard dimension types may be used as driving dimensions. These features allow for dramatic productivity gains when drafting or making revisions. Proven Technology Annotation The Drafting Palette accelerates creating Views, Sections, Elevations, Floorplans, and Detail Views in numerous display styles. Traditional Viewports are also powerful in TurboCAD: associative to the model, easy to align, Custom Viewport shapes may be used: simply create a Viewport and update its boundary using any closed Polyline. Manage Viewport specific properties such as layer visibility and dozens of other properties.
Dimensions have a very large number of properties associated with them, including whether they are associative or not, whether leaders should be fixed horizontal, based on splines, use arrowheads, custom arrowheads, and much, much more. Any number of Dimension Styles may be created to provide distinction. Additionally, there are separate style definitions specifically for the AEC Dimension Tool, and for MultiLeaders. Most dimension tools work on either an end-to-end selection, are one-click based on an object segment, or are defined by a single object like and arc or circle. Basic dimension types include:
The Dimension tools also include:
Dimension scaling in Viewports within a paper space is automatic. The dimension is shown in a paper scaling as it is dragged into position, and is then converted as the mouse is released to place the dimension. Units may be specified in Scientific, Decimal, Engineering, Architectural, Fraction, or Surveyor formats. Alternate units may also be shown providing the dimension for example in both metric and imperial values. Symbols Library TurboCAD Pro comes complete with a number of sample symbols, as well as a much larger collection of parametric parts. The parts are also kept in libraries and are accessed like symbols. The difference is that these parts are parametrically driven. Those parameters may also be revised after they have been inserted in the drawing. Parametric Parts may be created with the Parametric Parts Manager. Examples of these parts include desks whose length, or number of drawers, can be changed; bookshelves whose height, width, and number of shelves may be changed; and varieties of nuts, bolts, fittings, doors, windows, and more. Special Symbols The Weld Symbol communicates finish, contour, depth of chamfer root penetration, groove angle and more. The Geometric Tolerance Symbol provides information about allowable deviations of form, profile, orientation, location, and run-out of a feature. The Surface Roughness symbol communicates the type of roughness, the minimum and maximum heights, waviness, and more. Parametric Parts Manager The key difference is that parametric parts (.PPM files) may be defined using a text description (script). The script defines the structure, editable properties, and outputs that result in a parametrically editable part. There is also a method to draw variably constrained parts and convert them to parametric parts using a wizard. This dramatically simplifies creating simple .PPM objects that don't need the full power of all the functions available in scripted parts. There is even a bit of functionality to allow you to open a SketchUp file that contains Dynamic Components and have them be converted into parametric parts. For more information on this option see the File Interoperability page. Because the parts can be saved individually, like a symbol, libraries of .PPM objects can be created, shared, and reused from project to project. Simple examples could be to create a dynamic picket fence, or balustrade. Designing furniture of different lengths or seating configurations: chairs with or without arms, couches or tables of 6' or 8' lengths, bookshelves with different configurations. Mechanical parts that come in differing sizes and configurations may also be easy to design. Another use for .PPM objects is to create 2D symbols. Imagine in landscape architecture if you had plants with a different appearance for different seasons, or for different growth sizes at 1 year, 5 years, and 15 years size. The uses are endless. 3D Modeling TurboCAD Pro now uses v20 of ACIS for realistic, complex 3D object creation. This latest update is faster and more reliable than ever. Information for objects includes data crucial for engineers, such as Volume, Moment of Inertia, Center of Gravity, Surface Area, and more. Solid modeling editing and modification tools include:
TurboCAD Pro supports Profile Editing, whereby a 2D profile, once created, can be used to drive the creation of a 3D object. In this way the shape of the 3D object may continue to be driven by the 2D object which may itself be driven by Constraints and Driving Dimensions through the Calculator Palette. TurboCAD Pro also maintains a design history when its Part Tree feature is enabled. With the Part Tree, you may return to any procedural step in your design and make modifications without losing subsequent work. Think of it as a bit like a selective UNDO. Design Director Layer management from the Design Director palette is fast and easy. It can remain always open, and provides numerous powerful tools for managing visibility, color, line widths, line styles, and more. Beyond standard layer management, using Layer Filters allows for quickly selecting all layers with any number of criteria as wild cards. For example, one filter can turn on visibility of only layers with "2ndFloor" included, and another with "Wall" as part of the name. TurboCAD also reads Layer Filters from other .DWG files so that working across applications is smooth. A powerful element of Layer Filters is that they work beyond file naming to include selecting layers by line style, pen width, print style, and more. Layer Sets also can be created, and using either of these features lets you quickly change the visibility of large groups of layers with a single click. These filters and layer sets even include layers within externally referenced files, such as a .SKP, .DWG, or another .TCW file. Applications such as TurboCAD and AutoCAD® require an understanding of work planes and how to easily switch between work planes as an import part in productivity. Now you can simply set the User Coordinate System (UCS) by selecting a facet (one of 9 ways to set the UCS now), then save the UCS by name to a table in the Design Director, and from then on you can easily switch between different workplanes by selecting from a named list. Another setting within the Design Director is control over the Named Views. Easily jump between views with a single click when the design director is open. Combine this with the power of setting the UCS and setting the 3D View by the Current UCS, and you can set perfectly aligned views to any workplane in the model. These are just a few of the productivity advantages the Design Director palette provides. Rendering TurboCAD Pro provides several render modes in which to work, or present your designs. New to TurboCAD Pro 17 is tTechnology from Redway3D® has been added to wireframe, hidden line, and draft rendering modes and providing a wireframe render mode that utilizes the power of supported on-board GPU or graphics boards. (Most boards and GPUs should be supported, see system requirements for more information.) This Redsdk render mode provides up to 60x speed improvements on CPU-based rendering when panning, zooming, and orbiting. It also provides smoother movement. It is most noticeable on larger models, whether 2D or 3D as long as they are viewed in wireframe mode.. (For more on the Redsdk wireframe, hidden line, and draft rendering modes see our System Requirements). Render modes available include:
TurboCAD Pro 18 includes the updated Lightworks V8.3 rendering engine from LightWork Design. This new engine provides progressive, ray-traced rendering, improving workflow by generating fast estimates of the image and an early preview of light settings. Anti-aliasing for geometry and materials is also improved. The new engine also supports multithreading, taking advantage of multi core processors so the turn around time on calculations is much faster. Lighting & Materials Materials There are over 500 materials available immediately, with access to hundreds of brand name custom Colors, Materials, and Effects via the LightWork Design Archive. Some TurboCAD materials are bitmap based textures, others are procedural materials, which means that the pattern is calculated so that it does not repeat in a tiling manner. Bitmap textures may be brought into TurboCAD and used as material textures, including support for objects with alpha channel transparency. This can be useful for entourage, or landscaping and a 2D image of a tree can render much faster than a high-polygon 3D modeled tree with each leaf being calculated separately. Lighting & Luminance
Each light has many different properties that can be managed, including the color; intensity; fall-off; shadow softness; and more. Some that are directional specific may include properties such as the beam sharpness, penubra and umbra (the angle of the cone of light and the darkness in the center of the beam, useful for flashlights). Luminance includes advanced lighting properties that can be assigned to the whole model, or to specific objects within the model. Any number of lights may be combined, so that an Ambient luminance may be used, then augmented by other lights and luminances. Luminances include:
With each light and luminance there are numerous properties. Combine them effectively and the possibilities are endless. Create natural lighting for various conditions, artificial lighting to simulate any environment necessary, or mood lighting to emphasize elements of a design and provide an impact. Lighting is a very powerful element in the design communication process. Artistic Rendering
By selecting the Advanced Render view, entering the camera properties, and selecting Sketch, each of the styles listed above are available with a single click. Photorealistic Rendering TurboCAD includes a Render Styles Manager with preset configurations for many types of renders and includes a quick method for setting depth of field, for example, or overall luminance properties based on weather conditions including Clear Sky, Cloudy, Hazy, Overcast, Twilight Clear, Twilight Hazy, Night Full Moon, and many others. When performing a quality render, TurboCAD has the advantage of being able to pre-calculate multiple render scene variables in order to more quickly render than typical for ray tracing. The advanced render mode includes controls for dozens of settings should you choose to use them. It is a fully-featured rendering application built directly into TurboCAD. TurboCAD photorealistic rendering is based on the LightWorks engine from Lightwork Design, long a leader in photorealistic rendering. The rendering includes advanced ray-traced biased rendering techniques. Among the many features available:
Please be sure to look at the Showcase in the main menu, or the gallery thread in the TurboCAD Community Forums for examples of customer renderings. External References (Xrefs) TurboCAD Pro offers complete control over layers in the Xref, even when controlled through the new Layer Filter function in the Design Director palette. Support for binding an Xref in the document has been added, so that the geometry is converted into a block within the drawing. Once an Xref has been bound it may then be exploded to create simple geometry. Another new feature is support for the drawing variable $VIZRETAIN which defines how changes will be applied when the Xref is reloaded. Drawings can be saved with Xrefs in .TCW, .2CD, or .DWG format, with those Xref properties maintained - although the .DWG will recognize only another .DWG as an Xref if opened in an application other than TurboCAD or DoubleCAD. The addition of an XClip command make working with external references much more fruitful. Simply define the boundaries of the region to define the portion of the Xref to incorporate in the drawing. File Interoperability This broad range of file formats helps to maintain your intellectual property investment supporting older files, models, and parts. It also makes it easy to access parts from vendors or posted on model exchange sites like the GoogleTM 3D Warehouse. Additionally, you can export models to sites like Google Earth (via Collada .DAE support). When saving to COLLADA, there is a Setup option to Save Blocks and Layers. If the application that imports the .DAE file supports COLLADA Instancing (i.e. SketchUp), then block definitions will be maintained. If exporting blocks is selected, then the exporter first turns the entire model into a block, which will also convert all architectural objects into blocks as well. This makes it a great way to bring AutoCAD® Architecture based .DWG files into SketchUp, or to kick-start any SketchUp project by creating the basic architectural geometry quickly and precisely by using TurboCAD parametric architectural tools, such as the walls, windows, doors, and stairs. Batch File Converter Database Connect Reference data in a TurboCAD table as well as data associated to objects. The CAD file automatically updates with changes to the external database. This improves bill of material handling, real time pricing, and more. Software Developers' Kit Documentation for the SDK has been updated. It includes support and samples of functions for the following environments:
There is a wiki as well as forum-based support for developing customizations. See the TurboCAD Community Forums for more information. Ruby scripting language, compatible with Google SketchUp Ruby Scrips, was added to TurboCAD 18. It uses the Ruby Scripting Console for writing program scripts suitable for both mechanical and architectural design. RequirementsMinimum System Requirements: Recommended: An optional GPU-accelerated wireframe render mode (based on Redsdk technology from Redway3D®) requires a supported graphic processing unit (either a chip on the board, or on a video card). The latest video drivers are typically required. Newer boards with more power and VRAM generally provide greater performance. To determine if your video card or personal computer uses is likely compatible refer to your System Specifications, or contact the manufacturer of your video card and see if it uses one of the following video chipsets:
Windows Vista and Windows 7 Aero display mode causes interference with the Redsdk GPU-accelerated display mode. If you select this option TurboCAD will turn Aero mode off for that session. It affects only the transparency of the application window border. |
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