IronCAD and Robert McNeel & Associates Announce New Software Bundle

IronCAD brings Mechanical Solid Modeling to Rhino Users

ATLANTA, GA., August 7, 2002—IronCAD, LLC, the innovative and collaboration design Solutions Company and Robert McNeel & Associates, developers of the Rhinoceros® (Rhino) free-form surface modeling software, jointly announced the immediate availability of a new solids plus surface modeling bundle targeted for design and engineering professionals.

The software bundle combines the free form styling power of Rhino with the mechanical detailing capabilities of IronCAD’s Inovate solids modeling product.

Troy Cooksey, Engineer/Designer at Turlingdrome Design in Cincinnati Ohio, who is already using this product combination, says, “Inovate (IronCAD modeling) is my primary design package, and I heavily use Rhino to process data from a variety of 2D and 3D sources (Illustrator drawings to 3D files from animation studios). I build many free form shapes in Rhino that I bring into Inovate and integrate them into the parts, or start with these forms as the basis of a part. I then shell them and add rib work and mechanical details. The combination of the two packages has worked extremely well for me. Most every project I do these days utilizes both heavily. ……. I could not get along without either one.”

Shaun Murphy, VP of Marketing at IronCAD, states “By using Rhino for styling and Inovate for mechanical features, the user will experience dramatic productivity improvements over using each product alone.” Robert McNeel of McNeel & Associates in Seattle further adds, “I am always on the look out for tools that will help the Rhino community be more productive, and with Inovate we have such an offering.”

By using IronCAD’s Inovate, Rhino users can now:

• Shell a Part/Model – Shelling of solids provides a quick and simple alternative to the offsetting of surfaces. It provides predictable and stable results that can be edited as needed.
• Create Ribs, Bosses, and other Mechanical Details – Inovate’s award winning catalog-based design tools allows design features to be dragged and dropped onto a model and easily positioned or resized using simple to use handles.
• Powerful Positioning Tools – Position features, parts and assemblies easier than you ever thought possible using tools found only in Inovate such as SmartSnap, TriBall, SmartDimensions, dynamic mate and align.
• Simplified Feature Editing – Inovate supports a full feature tree popular in today’s leading MCAD systems. It allows quick access and individual editing of each feature. Unique to Inovate is its ability to edit any feature relative to any other feature/part/assembly even it if occurs later in the tree structure.
• Animate and Visualize the Model – Full time dynamic shading dramatically improves the user interaction during the modeling process. Pre-created animation objects can be dragged and dropped from a catalog directly onto the model to simulate product motion.
• Data Compatibility – Rhino and Inovate have the ability to exchange data in both solids and surface formats such as ACIS, Parasolid, IGES, STEP and others. In addition Inovate offers direct support for Pro/E and CATIA part files. Newly updated surfaces or solids can be applied into already existing designs allowing a high level of connectivity. Inovate’s automatic feature recognition is a real time saver when importing.
• Increased Productivity – The combination of Inovate and Rhino creates a true synergistic modeling solution. By using Rhino for styling and Inovate for mechanical features, the user will experience dramatic productivity improvements over using each product alone.

To enable as many designers and engineers as possible to experience this combination, a free, fully functional, 30 day trial download is available from www.ironcad.com/rhino. Limited time promotional pricing has been set at just $1,690 (support included), which is a 37% discount over buying each product individually. For users who already have Rhino there is a special promotion available to purchase Inovate for just $895. Each of the above options is available directly from IronCAD or from the reseller network of both companies.

About IronCAD, LLC
Based in Atlanta, GA, IronCAD, LLC is a leading provider of innovative design solutions that deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction and productivity. Its flagship product family, InnovationSuite, is a fully integrated design and information management environment that encourages creativity, productivity and teamwork with award winning 3D design and collaboration solutions managed through a Web-based Engineering Data Management (EDM) system. Components of InnovationSuite are used by customers throughout the world, including, Cisco Systems, Cummins Engine, Electrolux, Ericsson, John Deere, Eastman Kodak, Eaton Corporation, Fleetwood Enterprises, Greenheck, Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell, Intel, Lucent, Raytheon, Robert Bosch, Skyline Exhibits, Visteon, Volvo, and Xerox. For additional information, please contact IronCAD, LLC at 1-800-339-7304 or www.ironcad.com.

About Robert McNeel & Associates
Founded in 1980, Robert McNeel & Associates is a privately held, employee-owned corporation providing technical professionals with productive tools shaped from emerging technologies. For information on Rhino please go to www.rhino3d.com. Rhinoceros is a registered trademark of Robert McNeel & Associates.