Which CAD vendor will be first to run on 8 Metro?

Microsoft is making Windows 8 painful for non-tablet users, but CAD is a natural for tablets. So, which CAD vendor will be first? There are a few tablet-ready contenders:

MoI (moment of inspiration) was designed from the ground up for tablet use. It got bought by Alibre, which was then swallowed up by 3D Systems. See moi3d.com

AutoCAD got a pair of system variables last year that hint at tablet interactivity. Nothing seems to be happening with them, even in this week's release of AutoCAD 2013.

SpaceClaim last year also was boasting of it designed-for-touch-screens features. This year,  not so much.

If they get their software working with Metro UI (designed for cell phones, not computers), here are the touch actions Microsoft will expect them to implement:

Comments

[DF]

"Microsoft is making Windows 8 painful for non-tablet users, but CAD is a natural for tablets."

When did you change your mind?

[DF]

(By the way, Bentley's MicroStation already has 'touch', so that's my prediction - the question is whether their iPad version or Metro version comes out first).

[Jon Banquer]

I think you will see Missler Software TopSolid CADCAM 7.7 run on Windows 8 Metro. Missler Software is committed to being on the cutting edge of Microsoft Windows stuff. This is what they are currently showing:

http://www.topsolidblog.com/?p=3712

[Michael Gibson]

Hi Ralph,

re: MoI - "It got bought by Alibre, which was then swallowed up by 3D Systems."

Actually MoI has not been bought by anybody - I just have a bundling/reselling partnership with Alibre, where MoI is included in Alibre Design Expert as part of the whole bundle of software. Alibre just basically acts as a reseller of MoI, there was no outright purchasing of the company at all.

Re: Metro - right now I don't have any plans to develop a Metro-specific MoI version, it would most likely involve a major porting effort for the UI. Metro does not just run regular existing Windows programs, it's basically a whole new system of UI.

Also the focus for MoI and tablets has always been for a pen tablet, I'm not really sold on the idea of doing precision drawing type work just with your fingers - it seems kind of weird and imprecise, I mean there's a reason why most artists use implements like pencils or pens instead of just doing finger painting, you just have a lot more precision and control with a tool.

Touch works great for broad gestures flicking things around and stuff like that but drawing is a pretty different kind of thing from that.

- Michael

Michael Gibson
http://moi3d.com

[Kevin E.]

I really don't see Metro in Windows 8 as being hard to use. It's just different, and....well.....You don't handle change well :-)