Shipping next month
Robert Graebert is cto of Graebert (yes, one of the sons, in case you’re wondering), and he is now previewing the desktop version of ARES 2015, called Commander.
Robert Graebert
- Migrate utility migrates settings from older versions installed on the computer
- Multiple licensing options; registration with Graebert is no longer required
- Last year the ribbon was added; this year, it can be customized (no ribbon on Mac or Linux)
- Interactive table editing
- Dimension palette developed with technology from Solidworks; easily edits dimension text; useful existing text that needs fixing; no need to delve into dimension variables to fix text
- Paragraph text editing enhanced with stacked fractions, line spacing, paragraph indents, and tabs.
- Edit dynamic blocks using dynamic grips (though cannot create them)
- 2D geometric and dimensional constraints (licensed from Spatial)
PowerTrim lets you trim objects by dragging the cursor over them; hold down the Shift key to extend those entities; pass over the same object multiple times extends it to additional entities; click an object during the command, and then click another one: extends first one to meet the second; corner trim also works
QuickModify is a single command that copies, moves, rotates, and scales. Useful for working with blocks: grab a door block, copy it to another opening, and then rotate it.
ExplodeBlockX explode blocks so that attributes become text, not definitions.
DiscardDuplicates is a design cleanup tool; removes duplicate polylines and other entities. A dialog box lets you specify which types of entities to clean, as well as properties.
New APIs
ARES and CorelCAD get the APIs that Dassault wrote for DraftSight Pro; free version of DraftSight get the runtime, so that plug-ins work. Also:
- Supports Visual Studio 2012 (version 11)
- VSTA 2012 (installed with setup)
- Qt version 5.3.0 (for user interface)
- 64-bit version for Linux
- COM Visual LISP functions (Windows only)
- Includes two free plug-ins: Online maps from ESRI ArcGIS Online and Cadenas parts library
Product Timeline
ARES Commander 2015 ships in November (I have been testing the beta version). This will be followed by three service packs that add new functions, especially useful for subscribers. For example, a service pack will deliver constraints for the Mac version, once Spatial makes their constraint system available for Mac (and later, for Linux).
Q: Will ARES Touch be available for CorelCAD and DraftSight users? [Becuase it is available only with the purchase of ARES Commander.]
A: We don't announce on behalf of our partners. [Translation: it is up to them to decide on the matter.]
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