News: SolidWorks 3DVIA Composer Breaks Down Communication Barriers

CONCORD, Mass., USA, May 3, 2011 – As product development grows more global and decentralized, 3DVIA Composer technical communication software from Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., enables design teams to overcome language and knowledge barriers while reducing costs and production time.

Design that Matters, a non-profit product design group, used 3DVIA Composer to develop high-quality visuals of a phototherapy device to treat jaundiced infants in developing countries. The images enabled the design team to quickly gather feedback from, and gain acceptance by physicians in Vietnam, where it would initially be produced and used in hospitals that may not be able to afford traditional western machines.

“We are dealing with a different language, culture, and financial understanding,” said Will Harris, a product designer with Design that Matters. “The only way to overcome these barriers is visually. A photorealistic rendering is the next best thing to putting the device in their hands, and with 3DVIA Composer, they can see how the device goes together. These visualization tools were critical to the success of the project.”

The newest version of 3DVIA Composer, V6R2011x, transforms 3D CAD data into high quality image or animated visual assets for use in product communication deliverables. New features enable users to create lifelike images with precise detailing. Companies in industries as diverse as industrial equipment, marine engineering, and consumer retail, use 3DVIA Composer to cut up to 80 percent from production time for documents such as user manuals, assembly instructions, and marketing materials. Among the benefits users gain from 3DVIA Composer are:

·  Lifelike detail through new features such as alpha channel support, ambient occlusion, per-pixel lighting and depth-of-field functionality.

Cardiovascular Systems Inc., a developer of treatment systems for vascular disease, can show how parts relate to assembly fixtures and how to use a range of custom-designed tools. 3DVIA Composer also contributed to a 25 percent cut in assembly training time at the St. Paul, Minn.-based company.

· Faster turnaround time by creating images in parallel with product design.

Allmand Brothers Inc., a Nebraska-based company that designs and manufactures light towers and stands, compact loader backhoes and industrial heaters, cut the time required to produce a manual for a complex assembly from a month to a week.  

· Higher productivity and efficiency from streamlined document production processes.

Sweden’s Produktställ AB used 3DVIA Composer to improve documentation production efficiency by 70-80 percent, freeing resources to support the company’s sales presentation needs.  

“With 3DVIA Composer, users can overcome barriers to communicating design information to stakeholders in the design process – other members of the design team, customers, partners, or vendors,” said Kishore Boyalakuntla, director, product management at DS SolidWorks. “3DVIA Composer enables users to create visual assets that communicate exactly what they need to see, and with the software’s latest enhancements, they don’t have to worry about errors in documentation.”

Availability and pricing

3DVIA Composer V6R2011x is available worldwide through SolidWorks VARs. Contact a local SolidWorks VAR for pricing. To locate one in your region, visit http://www.solidworks.com/locateVAR/.

About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. subsidiary, is a world leader in 3D solutions that help millions of engineers and designers succeed through innovation. Our products deliver an intuitive experience in product design, simulation, publishing, data management, and environmental impact assessment. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit our Web site (www.solidworks.com)  or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).

About Dassault Systèmes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product – SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design – DELMIA for virtual production – SIMULIA for virtual testing – ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences. Dassault Systèmes’ shares are listed on Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA). For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com/.

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation in the US and other countries. 3D VIA is a registered trademark and 3DVIA Composer is a trademark of Dassault Systèmes in the US and other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2010 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.