LEDAS Improves Variational Direct Modeling with RhinoDirect 0.4

Now any solid or surface geometric model consisting of planar, cylindrical, or spherical faces can be edited parametrically in Rhino, with full control over design intent

LEDAS Ltd. today announced the public release of RhinoDirect beta 0.4, a plug-in module for Rhinoceros 3D modeling software from Robert McNeel and Associates. RhinoDirect allows Rhinoceros users to modify 3D geometric shapes parametrically using geometric constraints and driving dimensions. Version 0.4 of RhinoDirect is available as a free* download at www.DrivingDimensions.com/labs.

The new version allows users to control spherical faces parametrically, and to visualize driving dimensions in the drawing area. The release also significantly improves the intelligence and reliability of the plug-in.

New Features in RhinoDirect 0.4

Previous versions of RhinoDirect limited users to editing 3D models made of planar and cylindrical faces. With version 0.4, users can now edit models containing spherical faces, such as individual spheres, spherical fillets, and arbitrary spherical faces that result from Boolean operations with spheres (grooves, ribs, and so on).

The radii of spherical and cylindrical surfaces can now be adjusted automatically to satisfy geometric and dimensional constraints, if they are not controlled by driving dimensions. For example, a semi-cylinder connecting two parallel planar faces now automatically changes its radius when the distance between the faces is changed.

An important feature of RhinoDirect 0.4 is its new ability to display distance and radius driving dimensions in the drawing area. This new feature allows users to easily modify the values of corresponding parameters. This ability will be extended in future beta releases of this plug-in.

Intelligence and Reliability

Version 0.4 contains new functions for automatic recognition of design intent. For example, when a cylindrical or spherical face is tangent to one or more adjacent faces, RhinoDirect recognizes the relationships automatically, and maintains them when the model is modified parametrically. The same function occurs automatically with cylinders of equal radius. RhinoDirect maintains the relationships – as well as coincident, concentric, and parallel faces – when they do not contradict other constraints. Yet another improvement manages rigid assembly models, with no deformation of their shapes when it is not necessary to satisfy constraints. Many bugs reported by users are fixed in version 0.4.

“Version 0.4 of RhinoDirect approaches a commercial solution for parametric modification of many typical mechanical parts,” said Dmitry Ushakov, Director of Product Management, LEDAS Ltd. “Over 1,500 Rhino users have already tried RhinoDirect, and we see the great demand for this technology in the Rhino community and beyond.”

About RhinoDirect

RhinoDirect 0.4 is based on the latest version of LGS 3D constraint solver, which itself benefits from significant improvements to its reliability and performance. For instance, a new function in LGS 3D 4.0 detects loops of over-defined constraints, and so speeds up the resolution of user-defined constraints that conflict with ones recognized automatically.

RhinoDirect 0.4 is compatible with Rhinoceros 4.0 SR5B (and higher), and can be run on 32-bit Windows XP, Vista, and 7. The beta version can be freely downloaded at www.DrivingDimensions.com/labs, where visitors will find detailed on-line help, step-by-step tutorials, video tutorials, and a set of sample examples to play with.

RhinoDirect is an extension of LEDAS' RhinoAssembly plug-in, the ultimate tool for assembly design and kinematic simulation of mechanisms composed of rigid parts. It is commercially available from http://DrivingDimensions.com/store/Rhino for US$395. Both RhinoDirect and RhinoAssembly belong to the LEDAS Driving Dimensions product line.

About Driving Dimensions

Driving Dimensions are end-user applications developed by LEDAS as plug-ins for popular 2D and 3D modeling systems. They provide advanced parameterization capabilities for programs like SketchUp and Rhinoceros. Driving Dimensions are based on the LEDAS' Variational Direct Modeling technology for history-free editing of model elements that preserve design intent, and are expressed by explicit and implicit driving dimensions (linear, angular, radial) and geometric constraints.

Simultaneous satisfaction of geometric and dimensional constraints is achieved through LEDAS' LGS 3D geometric constraint solver, technology developed by LEDAS since 2001 and available for licensing to all CAD developers. More information about Driving Dimensions portfolio of applications can be found at www.DrivingDimensions.com.

About LEDAS

LEDAS Ltd. is an independent software development company founded in 1999. It is based in Novosibirsk Scientific Centre in Akademgorodok, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science. A leader in constraint-based technologies, LEDAS is a well-known provider of computational software components for PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions: geometric constraint solvers for CAD/CAM/CAE, optimization engines for project management, work scheduling and meeting planning as well as interval technologies for knowledge-based engineering and collaborative design. The company also provides services for PLM markets: software development, consulting, reselling as well as education and training.

More information about LEDAS is available at www.ledas.com.

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Driving Dimensions, RhinoAssembly, RhinoDirect, and LGS are trademarks of LEDAS Ltd. Any other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

*Limited time offer. RhinoDirect is available at no charge during the beta testing stage.