Unlocking creativity

PTC has launched Creo 1.0 and the first batch of 'apps' designed to augment and extend the capabilities of the software. Describing Creo as a step change in the development of its CAD software suite, PTC states that the technology enables enterprise-wide participation in the product design process "to unlock potential for creativity, teamwork, efficiency and value". Creo is designed to solve what PTC says are unaddressed problems in the mechanical CAD market: usability, interoperability, assembly management and technology lock-in. "It provides a scalable suite of interoperable, integrated design apps, built on an architecture with patent-pending technology, to meet the needs of the wide spectrum of users that form a company's extended product development team," says James Heppelmann, PTC's president and CEO. "By more fully engaging these users throughout the product lifecycle, companies can increase productivity and improve operational efficiencies, getting better products to market faster. "Since we unveiled our Creo product strategy last October, we've seen incredible customer interest," adds Heppelmann. "Based on the reaction of the marketplace, we believe that Creo has the potential to deliver the renaissance in CAD innovation that we had predicted at the launch." Creo 1.0 effectively represents a bringing together of PTC's Pro/ENGINEER, CoCreate and ProductView software solutions. "Pro/ENGINEER, CoCreate, and ProductView are the foundational elements of an exciting new future of CAD, providing proven performance in 2D and 3D CAD, CAE, CAM, CAID, and Visualisation," says Hempelmann. "And that connection is reflected in the new name for these products in the Creo family of design software. Creo not only protects existing investment in PTC products, but provides a smooth path to the future." Along with the Creo package, PTC has also made available the first set of 'apps' which are designed to optimise engineering, manufacturing and service processes. Role-based packages are designed to help increase productivity for everyone from service planners, technical illustrators and industrial designers to engineers who have historically driven product design processes using 3D direct or parametric modelling, while also benefiting CAD users in the extended enterprise. The initial offering of nine apps includes Creo Sketch, a simple 'freehand' 2D ideas and design concepts drawing app which PTC made available for free in July this year. The company's VP Creo Business Unit, Morten Ibsen adds that PTC hopes to further extend flexibility and mobility of Creo Sketch with the release a version of the app for the Apple iPad in the near future. The other apps scheduled for release are: Creo Layout – for capturing early concepts layouts in 2D that ultimately drive 3D design; Creo Parametric – for 3D parametric modeling capabilities; Creo Direct – for fast, flexible 3D geometry creation and editing using a direct modeling approach; Creo Simulate – delivers capabilities an analyst needs for structural and thermal simulation; Creo Schematics – for creating 2D routed systems diagrams for piping and cabling designs; Creo Illustrate – for 3D technical illustrations, providing capabilities to communicate complex service and parts information, training, work instructions; plus Creo View ECAD – for viewing, interrogating, and marking up electronic geometry and Creo View MCAD – for viewing, interrogating, and marking up mechanical geometry. "With the delivery of Creo 1.0, PTC is spearheading an unprecedented transformation of the CAD industry for the second time in history," says Brian Shepherd, executive vice president, product development, PTC. "Creo's role-based apps make a typically closed process open and inclusive, enabling more people to make a meaningful contribution to product designs. This is a huge advance that will help our customers create better designs, and ultimately better products."