So you downloaded eDrawings for iPad a few months back and thought it was a pretty good start for an app right? If it seemed like it would be nice to have some additional features, your wait is over!
Just like SolidWorks, the team behind eDrawings for iPad was hard at work on the next version of the app even as the first version was being consumed by all. And just like SolidWorks, most of the newly added features have come from you the user. So, in this new version, what do you get? Here is the laundry list:
- Zoom, pan, and rotate your 3D and 2D CAD data using multi-touch
- Browse your assembly components tree, model configurations and drawing sheets
- Hide, show, or make components transparent
- Select View mode: standard orthogonal views, shaded with edges, perspective view
- Play animated 3D standard views as well as 2D drawing views
- View your designs in full screen and double tap to fit it on screen
- Double tap zooms to drawing views
- Markup your designs and send to others, and read others’ markups
- Measure your design data
- View cross sections of your 3D designs
- Sample files included
My favorite three enhancements are in bold above, markups, measure tool, and cross sections.
Before these additions the app really was a good display tool, good for looking at designs and sharing information. With these further enhancements the app becomes much more of a true collaboration tool in the sense that you can use it to share and communicate design changes, and have the ability to look into your designs further, al without lugging around a 10 pound mobile workstation!
Since eDrawings for iPad was released a few months ago, I have shown it at a few user group meetings to see what users reactions are. At first most people see it as a pretty cool, neat looking app, but once I ask for ideas on how it could be used professionally, the light bulbs really start to turn on, and people see value in it, and how they could make the app work for them.
The app is available for $4.99 USD until about the end of September 2012 when it will go up to its normal price of $9.99 USD. The 'sale' is meant for those that have already purchased eDrawings for iPad a chance to upgrade for a lower price. Of course to get the app, search for it on the app store under eDrawings Pro.
I was sitting at the airport on Friday morning when the app went live in the app store, so I figured I could spend a three hour flight playing with the app. I paid my money for the app, and it downloaded in a few minutes. I spent the plane flight showing the guy next to me what 3D CAD was about, although I think his kid enjoyed the model of the toy tractor more than he did! eDrawings for iPad is simply a great way to communicate your designs to anyone, even a construction worker on the way to Vegas for the weekend with his family!
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