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Training and Service
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System and Hardware
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Installation and Licensing
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HiCAD General
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Where do I go for training?
- Training courses are held in one of ISD's own Training Centres in Berlin, Hanover, Dortmund, Nuremberg or Ulm.
However, your convenience is our watchword and we are always willing to arrange courses at any location.
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Where can I get help?
- Our Call Centre, including the Hotline, is available Mondays to Thursdays, from 8 am to 5 pm (German time - CET) and on Fridays from 8 am - 3 pm (German time - CET). You can contact us by:
Phone: +49-(0) 231-97 93-166
Telefax: +49-(0) 231-97 93-101
E-Mail: hotline@isdgroup.de
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How quickly can one learn to use HiCAD?
- Providing a user-friendly environment, the permeability of HiCAD's structure ensures a short learning curve. Our Training Centre works out a product training schedule tailored to your needs. After the training, that should always be given on site, newly won skills can be put into practice immediately.
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Does ISD assist with the automation and standardisation of production processes?
- Today, advances in computer technology make the task of the practising professional who must make engineering and financial decisions about CAD/CAM or administrative projects ever more difficult. Because of the complexity of mechanical, electronic, and computer-based systems in the operation and control of production, advanced but reliable solutions are not easy to find.
We are one of the leading European software providers of business solutions for production and administration, and our consultation service has proved it's worth many times. Our knowledge of project and process management, administration and organisation is based on years of practical experience as well as valuable feedback from our customers.
Expertise, transferred during the consultation process, enables members of your own staff to deal with follow-on projects swiftly and efficiently. An analysis and evaluation of working practices and company organisation enable us to optimise specialised functions required by your particular firm.
Take advantage of the opportunity - Call us and we will provide a solution that not only improves the efficiency of working procedures but supplies intangible benefits. Benefits reflected in improved work quality, more pertinent and usable product information, and improved control, all of which are difficult to quantify.
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What operating systems are supported?
What are the system and hardware requirements?
You can use any hardware provided with current drivers for the installed operating system. Please note, that for example the graphics drivers supports the complete open-GL command set.
Recommended minimum Hardware Requirements for HiCAD 2012, HiCAD 2011 und HiCAD 2010 (SP 1 / SP2):
- Pentium 4-compliance with SSE2 support
- 2 GB RAM
- approx. 3 GB free disk space
- DVD drive
- Fully OpenGL 2.0-capable graphics board with 128 MB RAM or more. You can use the OpenGLCapabilityTester to check whether the OpenGL capabilities of your computer are sufficient for HiCAD.
- Screen resolution 1280x1024
- Microsoft Windows 7, Vista (HiCAD 2010) or XP (HiCAD 2011 only 32 Bit) - each with latest service pack and security patches
Please note:
To achieve optimal performance for large assemblies, the system should possess significantly more main memory than is considered sufficient for HiCAD at first glance. This enables the hard disk accessing operations Buffer memory, Undo and Switch drawing to be performed up to 4 times faster
IMPORTANT:
If you have a 64Bit version of HiCAD/HELiOS, the hardlock can no longer be used as license file selector due to missing driver support!
Optimum Hardware Equipment HiCAD 2012, HiCAD 2011 und HiCAD 2010 (January 2012):
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Computer:
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Fujitsu Celsius M470
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Processor (CPU):
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Intel® Xeon® Processor W3550 (8M Cache, 3.06 GHz, 4.80 GT/s Intel® QPI)
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Main Memory:
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16 GB, DDR3-RAM, 1333 MHz
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Hard disk:
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1 x SATA II disk (disk: Windows), 1 x SSD SATA disk, 2.5 Inch (disk: HiCAD)
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Graphics Board:
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NVIDIA® Quadro FX 1800, 768 MB or NVIDIA® Quadro FX 3800, 1024 MB or NVIDIA® Quadro FX 5800, 4 GB
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Screen Resolution
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Full HD (1920 x 1080) for HiCAD 2012
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Operating System:
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Microsoft Windows 7 (64 Bit)
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Recommended Hardware Requirements for HiCAD next 2008/2009:
- Pentium 4-compliant processor with SSE2 support
- 2 GB RAM
- approx. 3 GB free disk space
- Fully OpenGL-capable graphics board with 128 MB RAM or more
- Microsoft Windows Vista or XP (SP 3)
- .NET Framework
Recommended Hardware Requirements for HiCAD next 2007:
- Pentium 4-compliant processor
- 2 GB RAM
- Graphics board with 128 MB RAM or more
- Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000
Appropriate database system for HELiOS utilisation:
- HiCAD/HELiOS 2011: Microsoft SQL-Server 2000 / 2005 / 2008 oder Oracle Database Server 10g / 11g R2
- HiCAD/HELiOS 2010: Microsoft SQL-Server 2000 / 2005 / 2008 oder Oracle Database Server 10g / 11g R2
- HiCAD/HELiOS 2008: Microsoft SQL-Server 2000 / 2005 / 2008 (ab V1401.2D) oder Oracle Database Server 10g / 11g R2
- HiCAD/HELiOS 2007: Microsoft SQL-Server 2000 / 2005 oder Oracle Database Server 10g / 9i / 8i
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What System or graphics board should be used?
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The following graphics boards are recommended for HiCAD. In case you use HiCAD 2 or HiCAD 16, please see the Older HiCAD Versions paragraph below. For Information about your graphics board and the appropriate driver, please refer to the the manual of the card or your computer.
Please note that insufficient graphics hardware will impair the performance and the quality of graphical representation.
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Manufacturer
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Model
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Tested with operating system
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Nvidia
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FX 580 PCI Express
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Microsoft Windows XP
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Quadro FX 1700, 512 MB
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Microsoft Windows XP
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Quadro FX 3700, 512 MB
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Microsoft Windows XP
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Quadro FX 4600, 768 MB
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Microsoft Windows XP
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Quadro FX 1800, 768 MB
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Microsoft Windows 7
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Quadro FX 3800, 1024 MB
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Microsoft Windows 7
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Quadro FX 5800, 4 GB
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Microsoft Windows 7
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General test conditions for graphic boards:
- Resolution 1280x1024 Pixel
- One-screen configuration
- Install current DirectX Version before installing the graphic card driver.
- Deactivate vertical Sync. in the Open GL Settings.
- Set Direct 3D to highest performance.
- Deactivate Fog emulation
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Older HiCAD versions - One-screen configuration 1280x1024
- ATI Fire GL2
- ATI Fire GL3
- ATI Fire GL4
- Fujitsu Siemens Celsius Quadro 2 MXR
- Fujitsu Siemens Radeon FSC (recommended for 2-D only)
- Fujitsu Siemens GM 1000 (recommended for 2-D only)
- NVIDIA Quadro 4 380 XGL
- NVIDIA Quadro 4 550 XGL
- NVIDIA Quadro 4 750 XGL
- NVIDIA Quadro 4 980 XGL
- 3Dlabs Wildcat 4 7110
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One-screen configuration 1600 x 1000 (1600 x 1024)
- Fujitsu Siemens Celsius Quadro 2 MXR
- NVIDIA Quadro 4 550 XGL and 750 XGL
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Two-screen configuration 2560 x
- ATI Fire GL3 and GL4
- Fujitsu Siemens Celsius Quadro 2 MXR 6
- NVIDIA Quadro 4 550 XGL and 750 XGL
- 3Dlabs Wildcat 4 7110 with restriction*
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* In practice tests, HELiOS database masks were displayed on the first grafics screen.
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Tested with driver version
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tested with driver version
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for NT 4.0
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for Windows 2000
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ATI Fire GL1
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4.00.1381.1090
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--
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ATI Fire GL2
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4.00.1381.2047
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5.12.2195.2047
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ATI Fire GL3
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4.00.1381.2078
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5.12.2195.2078
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ATI Fire GL4
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4.00.1381.2062
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5.12.2195.2062
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ELSA Erazor X2
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4.09.00.306
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--
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ELSA Gladiac Ultra
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4.09.00.312
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5.09.0.312
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ELSA Gloria II
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4.02.03.084
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5.03.05.172
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ELSA Synergy II
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4.12.10.242
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5.12.10.242
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ELSA Synergy III
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4.00.1381.1241
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5.13.01.1241
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ELSA Synergy 2000
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4.00.1381.1461
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5.13.01.1461
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Fujitsu Siemens GM 1000
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4.00.1381.0385
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5.12.01.0650
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Fujitsu Celsius Quadro 2 MXR
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4.00.1381.1570
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5.13.01.1570
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Fujitsu Siemens Radeon FSC
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4.3.3279
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5.13.1.3281
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NVIDIA Quadro 4 380 XGL
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4.1.0.4
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NVIDIA Quadro 4 550 XGL und 750 XGL
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4.00.1381.2885
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4.1.0.4
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NVIDIA Quadro 4 980 XGL
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4.1.0.4
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3Dlabs Wildcat 4 7110
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5.6.2.42 **
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5.6.2.42
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** It is recommended to use the board under Windows 2000. For 3-D representation with edges the performance is clearly better than under XP.
For HiCAD 16 and HiCAD 2 till version 2.0-1008 only the following boards can be recommended: ATI Fire GL1 to GL4 and Fujitsu Siemens Radeon FSC.
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Does ISD supply hardware components as well as software?
- It is our aim to provide an unrivalled service to our clients. Workstations and monitors can be supplied together with our software as a turnkey system. This option ensures the optimum configuration for your ISD software.
Our own technical teams are there to guide you through installation and implementation.
We promise to achieve the best possible configuration with the hardware components of your choice.
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| Installation and Licensing |
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Can the HiCAD/HELiOS installation take place via a network connection?
- The installation can take place via a network connection. However, the installation files need to be provided via a connected network drive – a connection via an UNC path is not sufficient.
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How does the activation/licensing take place?
Before the release of HiCAD/HELiOS 2010, the ISD supplied a dongle which was either linked to a server or used locally on a workstation, in combination with a unique licence key enabling you to activate the software. The new HiCAD/HELiOS version 2010 is activated via a software licence. The activation is no longer linked to a dongle, but directly to the hardware of a server or an individual workstation.
- Local (Workstation-Specific) Licensing
If you have chosen local licensing, the activation is directly linked to the hardware of your HiCAD/HELiOS workstation. The activation software automatically generates an identification number (ID) based on the hardware configuration of the workstation. This ID is used for the creation of the local licence, thus ensuring that HiCAD and HELiOS can only be used on this workstation. The advantage of the new procedure is that you cannot forget, or lose or break your dongle any more, because a dongle is no longer required. This eliminates the risk of losing your licence.
If the hardware of your workstation is exchanged, the local licence needs to be deactivated with a special program, and can subsequently be re-activated on the new hardware.After updating HiCAD and HELiOS to Version 2010, you must return your workstation dongle to the ISD. You can then no longer use any older HiCAD/HELiOS versions.
- Network (Server-Controlled) Licensing
If you have chosen network licensing, the licence is directly linked to the hardware of the server that centrally manages the HiCAD and HELiOS licences. You can use these licences from any of the workstations within your network which are linked to this server. The principle is exactly the same as that of the current server dongles.
What is new is that licences can be checked out from the server and linked to a workstation within or outside the network. This enables you to continue to work even from another, remote workstation, without being connected to the licence server (unless your HiCAD installation requires a connection to a database server). For this you define a particular period of time in which you want the licence to be available to a selected workstation. During this period, the licence will be locked for other users on the licence server. After expiration of this period, the licence will be made available on the licence server again. You can also return the licence manually before expiration of the defined period if the workstation is linked to the server. Licences for one workstation can be checked out for at least one day. The counting of the days begins at 1.00 am on the day following the checkout date.
If you want to replace/exchange your licence server, you must deactivate the licenses and send the code that is generated in the process to the ISD. The ISD will then generate a new code for the new server and send it to you. After updating HiCAD and HELiOS to Version 2010, you must return your workstation dongle to the ISD. You can then no longer use any older HiCAD/HELiOS versions.
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What steps need to be taken for an update to Version 2010?
- If you have chosen to update your HiCAD/HELiOS version to Version 2010, your sales agent will send you the relevant customer information including a corresponding response form. Please return the completely filled-in response form to the ISD by Fax to 0049 - 231 97 93 280 or by E-mail to license_request@isdgroup.de
- ISD sends you a small program for the generation of the hardware ID of the workstation or the server.
- The generated code is automatically sent to the ISD by E-mail.
- You will receive an installation DVD and your licence(s) from the ISD.
- You can now start your update installation.
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What do you have to keep in mind when exchanging hardware components on the Licence Server?
If you want to use a different computer as licence server, or exchange hardware com-ponents (hard disks, graphic card, motherboard etc.) on the licence server, the network licences need to be locked before the exchange. For this, the following requirements need to be fulfilled:
- All licences on the network server need to be unlocked again. Please make sure that no application using these network licences is running.
- All commuter licences need to be checked in again.
- The licence server (service) must be running.
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What do you do if a workstation is stolen?
- The user is responsible for appropriately insuring the HiCAD/HELiOS workstations against theft. If desired, we can tell you the reinstatement value of your software. If a workstation is stolen, you will need a new licence. In such cases, please send us the police report of the theft first. We will then provide you with a licence for a limited period of time, and submit an offer for a new licence to you. The ISD will send you the new licence after clarification of the case with your insurance and receipt of your payment for the licence fee.
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Which standard interfaces can be used for data interchange with other systems?
- You can freely exchange your data with other companies, e.g. customers or suppliers, thanks to interfaces for common standard formats such as DXF, IGES, STEP etc., and native formats such as ME10, Autocad, CATIA, Pro/E, Parasolid or ACIS.
- Furthermore, each version of HiCAD contains interfaces for our own systems SISCAD, BABCAD and PC-DRAFT, as well as the standard interfaces DXF and DWG. Depending on your individual requirements, a large number of additional interfaces can be provided. If requested, our software developers are prepared to make individual adjustments or create customized interfaces.
The open system design of HiCAD ensures flawless data transfer not only to and from the whole "CAD world", but also CAM or PPS systems. This way, it is possible to work with supplementary applications like NC, simulation and FEM programs. For example, rapid prototyping can be carried out by means of an STL interface which handles the data transfer to all current stereolithography systems.
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Do you offer a direct interface to take over existing (old) drawing archives?
- You can easily incorporate already existing know-how into HiCAD when switching from other systems or from 2-D to 3-D design. You can re-use existing 2-D and 3-D legacy data in HiCAD without any loss of data and, even more important, process them without having to re-create your drawings after “successful data transfer”, which is often the case when using other CAD systems. For data transfer all common standard formats such as DXF, IGES, STEP etc. are available, as well as native formats such as ME10, Autocad, CATIA, Pro/E, Parasolid, PC-Draft, SolidWorks or ACIS.
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What kernel is HiCAD based on?
- As early as 1987, the ISD developed its own kernel, the so-called ESM kernel (European Solid Modeller); it provided HiCAD with its unique 2-D/3-D associativity that enabled the user to create 2-D drawings and 3-D models in one system and combine them with each other on a bi-directional basis. In HiCAD next 2008, the kernel has been redesigned to allow a universal use of NURBS technology. The new NURBS kernel supports the newest market-leading technologies and can be instantly adapted to individual and changing customer and market requirements.
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Does HiCAD support the parametric or free modelling (“Direct Modelling”) approach?
- As a company with more than three decades of experience on the market, we are perfectly aware of the fact that both approaches do only work in combination. Therefore, HiCAD has always offered both working techniques. Our customers do not opt for a particular technique when buying a software product - they do so each single working day, and each time they perform their design tasks. A CAD system that fails to support both approaches does not support the user either!
cf. Direct Modelling vs. Parametric Design
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Do you support Rapid Prototyping?
- Yes. Rapid prototyping can be carried out by means of our optional STL interface which handles the data transfer to all current stereolithography systems.
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What are the reasons why Autocad®-Users change to HiCAD?
In order to survive in a global competition, more and more complex and often branch-comprehensive tasks have to be completed effectively in a very short period of time. This is the reason why there is an increasing demand for universal and highly-integrated solutions for the complete process chain. Therefore, CAD users change to HiCAD and ensure clear advantages in competition.
- The existing data cannot only be imported to HiCAD, but can also be processed without any losses and can be transferred to 3-D models automatically at any time. The access to the 3-D world is possible anytime and the costs for the transfer from 2-D to 3-D can be reduced by more than 60 %.
- The unique universality does not only provide a simple transfer from 2-D elements as the basis for 3-D designs, but makes the modification and correction of 2-D production drawings also very simple. The complete 2-D functional range with associative data structures enables you to create 2-D drawings with dimensions, tolerances, surface symbols, hatching and parts lists suitable for production.
- Each branch has its specific requirements concerning a CAD system. In HiCAD, special knowledge from various branches can be used for individual tasks - even for complex branch-comprehensive projects. All branch functions are integrated into the user interface completely. The productivity can therefore be increased considerably in the various application areas: in mechanical and special mechanical engineering, from steel engineering to glass, metal and façade design, from plant construction to sheet metal processing , in tool and mould making etc.
- Due to the extremely compact data structure, the design process can be carried out fast without longer periods waiting time- independent of the number of parts of a component group (hundreds or thousands). The Information + Communication Navigator provides an overview and more transparency. It enables fast access and simple processing of all model information - from the geometric object, via 3-D views and production drawings to part properties.
- The Windows typical user philosophy, in connection with an object-dependent function selection, reduces the training effort decisively. The clear menu design, the individual adaptation of the menus and the special start mode will enable employees, who only work with the system from time to time, to get accustomed to the operations in a simple and fast way.
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