ALGOR'S INCAD^Plus TECHNOLOGY OFFERS SOLIDWORKS® SOFTWARE USERS A HIGHER LEVEL OF CAD/CAE INTEROPERABILITY

Algor's full range of FEA capabilities is now accessible from SolidWorks software. Shown here, the simple SolidWorks menu selection "Algor:Mesh" launches a "CAD Solid Model Interface" where preliminary FEA surface meshing is performed with Algor's new, easy-to-use sliding mesh control. Superdraw III, Algor's single user interface and precision finite element model-building tool, can then be activated with one mouse click to access Algor's surface mesh refinement, automatic solid meshing and full breadth of analysis options.

August 6, 1999, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- Algor, Inc., a leading maker of software for mechanical engineers, has introduced InCAD^Plus technology that enables engineers to transfer solid model data seamlessly from SolidWorks mechanical design software. InCAD^Plus has an interface that connects Algor's entire range of finite element analysis (FEA) capabilities, including advanced Mechanical Event Simulation, directly to SolidWorks software produced by SolidWorks Corporation, Concord, Massachusetts.

"InCAD^Plus enables engineers to perform a much broader spectrum of FEA more easily and in a shorter amount of time while working with SolidWorks models," said Michael L. Bussler, president of Algor, a company that pioneered CAD interfacing with PCs in 1985. "Algor has expanded its CAD interfacing options with InCAD^Plus to be responsive to customers who have requested seamless interoperability. Every FEA product we offer is connected to the new interface."

"SolidWorks is pleased that Algor has created additional capabilities to support the SolidWorks environment," said Robert McGill, manager of the Partner Program at SolidWorks. "Our customers require fast turn around times and accurate results, which is accomplished more quickly and reliably when they access Algor software directly from SolidWorks."

With Algor's Release 12 version of FEA software, Algor's complete software capabilities, ranging from simple linear static FEA to nonlinear multiphysics including heat transfer and fluid flow, are accessible from SolidWorks when it is installed on the same computer as Algor software.

These capabilities include performing Mechanical Event Simulations on complete solid models or assemblies using Algor's Accupak/VE Mechanical Event Simulation software with linear and nonlinear material models. Accupak/VE realistically simulates motion and flexing in mechanical events and eliminates the need to input dynamic loads. It also computes and shows resulting stresses on the computer model at each instant in time. In addition, Algor's new kinematic elements drastically reduce processing time for Mechanical Event Simulations involving solid models or assemblies because they dynamically behave like regular flexible elements, but stresses are not calculated within them.

With InCAD^Plus, the simple SolidWorks menu selection "Algor:Mesh" launches Algor's "CAD Solid Model Interface." This interface enables engineers to view their entire model prior to FEA surface meshing to determine if the design contains model defects, such as surface holes or self-intersecting surfaces. They can then create an FEA surface mesh with a new, easy-to-use sliding mesh control, which lets them quickly adjust the initial surface mesh density if necessary. Superdraw III, Algor's single user interface and precision finite element model-building tool, can be activated with one mouse click to access Algor's automatic or manual surface mesh refinement options. Engineers can then use Algor's automatic mesh engines to create a high quality FEA solid mesh using bricks, tetrahedron or a combination of both, and access Algor's full breadth of analysis options.

Alternatively, when Algor and SolidWorks are installed on different computers, InCAD^Plus technology eliminates problematic data translation from SolidWorks to Algor software because it uses Direct Memory Image Transfer (DMIT) programming. DMIT assures the transfer of mathematically exact model descriptions.

According to W. Charles Paulsen, Algor's vice president of strategic relations, "Cost-conscious IT managers will appreciate that DMIT-enabled InCAD^Plus technology provides consistent, yet simple interoperability between heterogeneous CAD/CAE systems."

Algor offers a wide range of FEA capabilities that take advantage of the direct transfer from SolidWorks including Mechanical Event Simulation, linear and nonlinear stress, vibration and natural frequencies, heat transfer, electrostatics, fluid flow, piping design and composite materials. Algor's software also interchanges data with products from ANSYS, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANSS), Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), Baystate Technologies, Inc., MacNeal Schwendler Corporation (NYSE: MNS), Parametric Technology Corporation (Nasdaq: PMTC), Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (Nasdaq: SDRC), Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: UGS) and others.

Algor has been a leader in the engineering software industry since it introduced FEA for PCs in 1984 and interfacing with CAD systems in 1985. The company recently celebrated 20 years of providing finite element customers with innovative, affordable and easy-to-use software products and superior educational support and customer service. Algor's FEA software has enabled 16,000 engineers in 60 countries to create safe, efficient, cost-effective designs.

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq:DASTY) company, develops and markets mechanical design software products for Windows*. SolidWorks was founded in 1993 with the mission to bring production solid modeling to the desktop of every engineer. SolidWorks has offices worldwide and distributes its products through a network of 200 resellers selling in 43 countries. In 3 years of shipping product, SolidWorks has sold over 30,000 seats of software to over 10,500 customers. For more information and a product demonstration, contact your local SolidWorks distributor or reseller today. For the latest news and information from SolidWorks, see the company's web site (http://www.solidworks.com).