Free alternative to new AutoCAD upgrades

More than 100,000 AutoCAD software users download free compatibility solution from SolidWorks Corporation

More than 100,000 AutoCAD software users have downloaded a free software component from SolidWorks Corporation, enabling themselves to work confidently with any DWG file, regardless of the AutoCAD software version that produced it.

The DWGgateway data translation tool, which may be downloaded from www.dwggateway.com, enables any AutoCAD software user to open and edit any DWG file.

This capability may eliminate the need to upgrade the AutoCAD software to new versions simply to work on files created by users of newer AutoCAD products.

In this way, the DWGgateway software tool fosters open collaboration and saves users the time and money of unnecessarily implementing new products.

"The free DWGgateway download has kept us compatible with the latest versions of AutoCAD while saving us money that we otherwise would have spent on upgrading our 2D technology," said Chris Sullivan, senior design manager of Interplex Etch Logic, LLC, an Attleboro, Mass., company specializing in etching stainless steel and a wide variety of copper alloys for the worldwide electronics, automotive, medical, filtration, and telecommunications markets.

"We can now invest that savings in 3D design software for a potentially bigger return".

"We know 3D is the future, and this is a great way for us to get there." The DWGgateway component installs itself into AutoCAD software in only a minute or two.

It enables AutoCAD software versions going back to AutoCAD R14 to read, edit, and save AutoCAD (.dwg and.dxf) 2D files created by more recent versions of the software, including AutoCAD 2005.

The DWGgateway component also allows AutoCAD 2005 through AutoCAD 14 versions to produce DWG and DXF files in older formats, going all the way back to AutoCAD Release 2.5.

As a result, AutoCAD software users can work efficiently with colleagues, customers, partners, and suppliers instead of receiving "incompatible version" messages.

"I'm a committed AutoCAD R14 user, and DWGgateway has allowed me to continue using my preferred software by enabling me to read and write DWG-2004 files," said Klaus Gottschalk, Dipl.-Ing.

(FH), of netCADservice (www.netcadservice.com), a Germany-based provider of IT services for engineers, architects, communities, and business.

"As a result, I've cancelled my plans to upgrade".

"The DWGgateway has provided a lot of value for a free download, or for any tool." The DWGgateway software tool is the latest in a series of tools SolidWorks has given the design engineering community to enable the efficient exchange of engineering information.

SolidWorks 2005 3D mechanical design software first included the DWGEditor tool, which allows customers to read, edit, and save any DWG file produced by any version of AutoCAD software.

The DWGgateway software tool supplies similar capability to AutoCAD customers at no cost.

SolidWorks has also given the engineering community eDrawings' software, a free viewing and publishing application for sharing and archiving 2D and 3D product design data, as well as XchangeWorks data translation software, which is free software for importing 3D models into AutoCAD.

"Our mission as a company is helping design engineers do their best work, regardless of whether they're current SolidWorks customers, and removing efficiency barriers like data incompatibility, time, and distance," said Rainer Gawlick, vice president of worldwide marketing for SolidWorks Corporation".

""Communication and collaboration are essential to an efficient engineering community, and software compatibility is a big part of that".

"It's critical for designers and engineers to use the software they prefer, whatever the version, and have their tools be fully compatible with their counterparts' tools.".

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