SolidWorks and 3Dconnexion Announce Joint Evaluation Program
January 19, 2004
3D Motion Controller Benefits Available to SolidWorks Customers in Risk Free Offer.
LOS GATOS, Calif. - Jan. 19, 2004 - 3Dconnexion®, a Logitech® company (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) and SolidWorks Corporation, announced today a new program that allows every SolidWorks® software customer to obtain the award-winning 3Dconnexion CadMan® motion controller for an extended trial period of 45 days at no charge. At the conclusion of the evaluation period, customers can purchase the CadMan motion controller for the special price of $299 which is $100 off the regular price. SolidWorks customers can take advantage of this "test drive" offer by starting their trial period any time prior to March 31, 2004. Customers can sign up for this offer at www.3dconnexion.com/Promo/SolidWorks.html.
3Dconnexion motion controllers are already in use worldwide by 300,000 3D CAD designers at leading manufacturing companies. A recently published ergonomics study indicates that designers using a 3D motion controller in one hand used together with a standard mouse in the other hand are experiencing an average of 33% less muscle activity as well as a 60% reduction in repetitive movements in both the right and left hand. Projects are completed faster and with greater comfort.
"SolidWorks brings the benefits of motion controllers to its customers, in a simple, risk free way," said Brian Houle, manager of SolidWorks Partner Program. "We encourage our design customers to take this test drive and understand the advantages of a two-handed work style relevant to their own specific design environments and workloads. The CadMan reinforces the SolidWorks message of productivity and ease of use."
With this special offer 3Dconnexion maintains its commitment to the SolidWorks user community by delivering products for interacting in a natural and intuitive way in the 3D world. Designing 3D objects requires frequent interaction with the menu- and button-rich user interfaces that are standard in today's powerful 3D software. To modify a 3D object, the designer uses a mouse and keyboard to switch between navigation and edit modes, then selects and activates several menu choices. In contrast, with Two Handed Power™, a motion controller takes over the navigation functions - pan, zoom and rotate - which can account for as much as half of the mouse movements. At the same time, the other hand on the mouse is free to be used for editing. Thus, working simultaneously with both hands and reducing the number of mouse movements helps completes projects faster with greater comfort.
Jeff Rowe, principal of Cairowest Group LLC - an independent design and technical communication consulting firm, who used a 3Dconnexion motion controller in his recent SolidWorks 2004 evaluation for Desktop Engineering Magazine said, "Using a 3D motion controller made me more productive while evaluating the new SolidWorks 2004 software. I was able to focus on the many new features in SolidWorks 2004 and leave the navigation of the models to the intuitive movements of the motion controller".
Anthony Botting, VP of Engineering at Texas Engineering Systems, a key SolidWorks reseller, provided a very practical explanation why his customers use CadMan with SolidWorks. "When working with assemblies, it is more productive to be able to position the assembly with your left hand, while refining and modifying the details with the right hand on the mouse. The CadMan allows my SolidWorks users to be more productive and designing is more intuitive".
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. Founded in 1993, SolidWorks' mission is to unleash the power of 3D for everyone in product development and foster a collaborative user community. In eight years of delivering product, SolidWorks has shipped more than 300,000 total seats of software worldwide. SolidWorks has offices around the globe and sells, distributes, and supports its products through a worldwide reseller network. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
About 3Dconnexion
3Dconnexion, a Logitech Company (SWX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI), is the leading provider of 3D input devices that enhance the user interface for professional 3D applications in markets such as product design (CAD/CAM/CAE), modeling and animation (digital content creation). More than 350,000 designers, animators, and artists use 3Dconnexion's award-winning line of motion controllers, including SpacePilot ™, SpaceBall®, SpaceMouse® and SpaceTraveler™.
3Dconnexion is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, with offices in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Wroclaw.
For more information, visit http://www.3Dconnexion.com
© 2005 3Dconnexion. All rights reserved. 3Dconnexion, the 3Dconnexion logo, and other 3Dconnexion marks are owned by 3Dconnexion and may be registered. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
