November 19, 2012 – ASCON Group released KOMPAS-3D V13 Plus. This computer-aided design system for mechanical engineers is distinguished by its powerful functions for the the 3D and 2D design process, along with its user-friendly interface, easy to learn features, and flexible collaboration with third-party software – all enhanced by reasonable pricing.
This Plus release features more than 100 enhancements that give customers the ability to increase their productivity through faster operations, improved usability, and simplified product development – with fewer errors throughout the design-to-product process.
The primary new features in KOMPAS-3D V13 Plus include the following:
- Support for 64-bit operating systems
- Improved 3D solid and surface modeling
- Faster view generations
- Enhanced printing
- Better import and export
- Strengthened add-ons
KOMPAS-3D now supports 64-bit hardware and operating systems. This means that KOMPAS-3D now accesses as much RAM as is in the computers of users. The larger memory means that they can load and work with larger and more complicated assemblies.
For users of older systems, the 32-bit version of KOMPAS-3D continues to be available.
KOMPAS-3D has the new ability to arbitrarily edit the shapes of faces on bodies and surfaces. After users execute the new Spline Form command, the selected face transforms into a spline surface, and KOMPAS-3D switches to a special operation mode automatically.
The Array construction commands have been revised, allowing more complex arrays of objects.
Functions that work with large assemblies are improved and expanded. Using new ways of loading model files considerably accelerates the processing of large assemblies, such as rebuilding and redrawing models after they are rotated or moved.
If the computers of users employ multi-core processors with 8GB or more RAM, then creating and rebuilding associative views runs faster due to the addition of parallel processing. The Parameters dialog box lets users select the CPU processing method.
The Special Print command is useful for printers that support multiple page sizes. For instance, users can now send a multi-page document containing pages of different sizes to a virtual XPS printer. The result is a single XPS file with the size of each page fitting the paper size of the output document.
To improve handling of translated models, KOMPAS-3D now has an option to import arcs and polylines from STEP files, as well as to export these objects back to STEP files. To more easily translate models, users can now use the same parameters for importing models from STEP as for exporting them to the same format.
KOMPAS-3D can now export the attributes of macro objects to DXF and DWG files. Attributes of macro objects become attributes in DWG/DXF blocks.
The APM FEM Strength Analysis add-in for KOMPAS-3D has been improved in the following areas:
- Displays pointers for maximum/minimum values in result charts
- Adds an option for inserting custom leaders in the result charts
- Includes new view filters for maximum/minimum values and custom values
- Adds to the dialog box information on modal structural weights, displaying the results of frequency calculations
- Includes MKL Subspace, a new method for frequency calculations