TurboCAD Professional v.12 features adjustable tool palettes and part-tree that allows for parametric modeling of mechanical and architectural designs. Context sensitive tools eliminate unnecessary prompts and options, and users can apply material properties to individual facets of same object and preview blends. Horizontal/vertical constraints can be defined, and parametric doors/windows can be created and dropped directly into walls of 3D drawing.

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Enhancements Include New Mechanical and Architectural Features, Improved Modeling, and Greater Interoperability

NOVATO, Calif., March 23 /-- IMSI[R] (BULLETIN BOARD: IMSI) the leader in affordable design software, today announced that the newest version of its flagship product line, TurboCAD Professional v.12, is now available for purchase.

"TurboCAD v.12 is definitely our best version yet," said Bob Mayer, Executive Vice President of Precision Design. "Improved interoperability, enhanced parametric architectural tools, and improved 3D modeling make this a highly desirable solution for professional designers. We are especially proud of the revamped Part Tree, which now effectively makes TurboCAD Professional a fully parametric design tool for the mechanical design market," added Mayer.

TurboCAD Professional v.12 delivers the most significant improvements ever packed into a TurboCAD upgrade. New and improved tools for 2D drafting and 3D modeling deliver new possibilities in mechanical and architectural design. Improvements in rendering and the new support of LightWorks[R] Archives result in even better visualization capabilities. And new, adjustable tool palettes, context sensitive tools, and intuitive work flow combine to increase productivity.

"We are delighted that this new release of TurboCAD has taken advantage of the latest LightWorks functionality," commented Clive Davies, Partner Programme Manager at LightWork Design. He added, "In particular, the ability to use LightWorks Archive materials (LWA) will allow TurboCAD users to access the growing number of high quality digital materials in the LWA format. Our experience has been that this will help users to render better images even faster."

What's New and Improved

o Redesigned "part-tree" for quick, easy parametric modeling and editing

o New context sensitive tools that eliminate unnecessary prompts and

options

o Improved fully customizable user interface with innumerable user

preferences

o New horizontal and vertical constraints, improved parallel plane

constraint

o Improved properties palette for editing using data entry and menu

options

o New ability to create parametric doors and windows and to drag and drop

them directly into the walls of a 3D drawing

o LightWorks[R] 7.5 rendering engine with LightWorks Archive support

o Ability to apply material properties to individual facets of the same

object and preview blends before committing to them.

o New Point Marker tool allows automatic numbering of objects such as

rooms, doors or windows

o Updated ACIS[R] v15 solid modeling engine

o "Flicker free" rendered views while moving, rotating and zooming

o "Pre-cache" rendering for faster 3D previews

o Simplified, on screen, text editing of 2D and 3D text

o Improved rigid and normal sweeps, including simple extrudes

o Improved materials editor for creating custom, photo-realistic

materials and surfaces

Enhanced Mechanical Design

TurboCAD Professional v.12 now lets the user apply material properties to individual facets of the same object and preview blends before committing to them. More geometric constraints have been added to improve the relationship between 2D constraints and the resulting 3D derived designs. And a rebuilt Part Tree now gives a more complete view of part's history and parameters. Additional mechanical enhancements include:

o New: ability to define horizontal and vertical constraints

o New: ability to blend previews and one click selection for edge

blending

o Improved: redesigned "part-tree" for quick, easy parametric modeling

and editing

o Improved: ability to create automatic and precise tangencies where

splines meet other objects

o Improved: ability to define constraints for objects in parallel planes

with just one click.

o Improved: ability to apply different materials to different facets of

the same object

Enhancements in Architectural Drafting

TurboCAD Professional v.12 now includes the ability to create parametric doors and windows and to drag and drop them directly into the walls of a 3D drawing. It also allows the selection of the specific properties of each object, including frames, hinges and knobs. TurboCAD will even automatically generate the appropriate symbol for the 2D version of the drawing. Further architectural enhancements include:

o New: Point Marker tool allows the automatic numbering of objects such

as rooms, doors or windows and is great for creating legends, call