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CONCORD , Mass. , June 13,
2005 — More than 100,000 AutoCAD®
software users have downloaded a free software component
from SolidWorks Corporation, enabling themselves to work confidently
with any DWG file, regardless of the AutoCAD
software version that produced it.
The DWGgateway™ data translation tool, which may be
downloaded from www.dwggateway.com,
enables any AutoCAD software user to open and edit any DWG
file. This capability may eliminate the need to upgrade the
AutoCAD software to new versions simply to work on files created
by users of newer AutoCAD products. In this way, the DWGgateway
software tool fosters open collaboration and saves users the
time and money of unnecessarily implementing new products.
“The free DWGgateway download
has kept us compatible with the latest versions of AutoCAD
while saving us money that we otherwise would have spent on
upgrading our 2D technology,” said Chris Sullivan, senior
design manager of Interplex Etch Logic, LLC, an Attleboro,
Mass., company specializing in etching stainless steel and
a wide variety of copper alloys for the worldwide electronics,
automotive, medical, filtration, and telecommunications markets.
“We can now invest that savings in 3D design software
for a potentially bigger return. We know 3D is the future,
and this is a great way for us to get there.”
The DWGgateway component installs itself into AutoCAD
software in only a minute or two. It enables AutoCAD software
versions going back to AutoCAD R14 to read, edit, and save
AutoCAD (.dwg and .dxf) 2D files created by more recent versions
of the software, including AutoCAD 2005. The DWGgateway component
also allows AutoCAD 2005 through AutoCAD 14 versions to produce
DWG and DXF files in older formats, going all the way back
to AutoCAD Release 2.5. As a result, AutoCAD software users
can work efficiently with colleagues, customers, partners,
and suppliers instead of receiving “incompatible version”
messages.
“I'm a committed AutoCAD R14 user, and DWGgateway has
allowed me to continue using my preferred software by enabling
me to read and write DWG-2004 files,” said Klaus Gottschalk,
Dipl.-Ing. (FH), of netCADservice GmbH (www.netcadservice.com
), a Germany-based provider of IT services for engineers,
architects, communities, and business. “As a result,
I've cancelled my plans to upgrade. The DWGgateway has provided
a lot of value for a free download, or for any tool.”
The DWGgateway software tool is the latest in a series of
tools SolidWorks has given the design engineering community
to enable the efficient exchange of engineering information.
SolidWorks® 2005 3D mechanical design software first included
the DWGEditor™ tool, which allows customers to read,
edit, and save any DWG file produced by any version of AutoCAD
software. The DWGgateway software tool supplies similar
capability to AutoCAD customers at no cost. SolidWorks has
also given the engineering community eDrawings™ software,
a free viewing and publishing application for sharing and
archiving 2D and 3D product design data, as well as XchangeWorks™
data translation software, which is free software for importing
3D models into AutoCAD.
“Our mission as a company is helping design engineers
do their best work, regardless of whether they're current
SolidWorks customers, and removing efficiency barriers like
data incompatibility, time, and distance,” said Rainer
Gawlick, vice president of worldwide marketing for SolidWorks
Corporation. “Communication and collaboration are essential
to an efficient engineering community, and software compatibility
is a big part of that. It's critical for designers and engineers
to use the software they prefer, whatever the version, and
have their tools be fully compatible with their counterparts'
tools. ”
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation,
a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris:
#13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for
mechanical
design , analysis,
and product
data management. It is the #1 supplier of 3D
mechanical design software for the mainstream market.
SolidWorks leads the market in number of users in production,
customer satisfaction, and revenue. For the latest news, information,
or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site
(www.solidworks.com)
or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
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SolidWorks is
a registered trademark, and DWGEditor, DWGgateway, XchangeWorks,
and eDrawings are trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation. AutoCAD
is a registered trademark or trademark of Autodesk, Inc. in
the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and
product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright
(c) 2005 SolidWorks Corporation.
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