March 2008

It was a relatively quiet month here at Symscape, at least in contrast to the effort required last month to release Linux and Windows versions of Caedium. Still, we've updated our website with a new streamlined free trial request and added new content. We are also in the process of planning our next release and we're looking for your help.

Caedium Product Comparison

We've added a product comparison chart to our website that concisely lists the capabilities of Caedium and its add-ons. The chart shows which features are in which add-ons so you can more easily match your needs with our products.

Streamlined Free Trial Request

If you visit our product pages (such as the Caedium Professional add-on page) you'll notice a new streamlined free trial request process. Previously you had to be a registered Symscape member to obtaining a free trial, now you just need to provide a name and an email address on the free license request form, and if you qualify we will immediately email you a free trial activation license.

Of course you are still welcome to register as a Symscape member and take an active role in our forums.

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Analysis Overview

In our new article "Overview: Geometry to Results" we outline the CAE analysis process starting with geometry import and/or creation, progressing through physics setup, and ending with 3D results visualization and 2D results plotting. Our aim with this article is to provide an overview of a general CAE analysis process and relate it to the unique layout and features provided by Caedium and its add-ons.

Future Plans

After the successful recent release of Caedium v1.2 for Linux and Windows we are ready to start the next development cycle. We are currently in the planning stage for the next release. This is a great time to let us know what you think should be in the next Caedium release, either by posting to our forum or dropping us an email using our contact form.

Blog

Below are teasers for our latest blog posts. Click the titles to read the entire post.

Physics Phun
Can physics be fun? It can be if it's Phun you're using. Phun is a 2D real-time physics sandbox developed by Emil Ernerfeldt at VRLab, Umea University.

Computer-Aided Engineering Industry Observers
Are you interested in staying up to date with the latest Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) news in fields such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)? Then consider signing up with some of the leading CAE and CFD industry observers.

James Bond Submarine Car
Inspired by the (fictional - yes, it was a scaled model) underwater Lotus Espirit that James Bond drove in the movie "The Spy Who Loved Me," Frank Rinderknecht of Rinspeed commissioned ESORO to build the sQuba, a concept car for the Geneva Motor Show. What's so special about the sQuba? It can really 'fly' underwater.

Car Design and CFD
I've noticed a flurry of announcements that cite the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in the design of new cars for public roads and race tracks. While none of these announcements say that CFD was responsible for the design of the whole car, equally they don't say, with much clarity, what exactly did CFD contribute?