New solidThinking Evolve™ 9.0 Advances Modeling and Rendering in Comprehensive Design Software

TROY, Mich., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- solidThinking, Inc. today announced the release of solidThinking Evolve™ 9.0, a new version of its concept-design and 3D modeling software. solidThinking Evolve 9.0 features a simplified user interface and workflow, improved comprehensive modeling interaction, interactive photorealistic rendering and additional format and language support.

The successor to solidThinking 8.5, solidThinking Evolve 9.0 offers a hybrid modeling system that allows designers to rapidly create organic surface or solid models while enabling the flexibility of parametric CAD modeling, which gives them complete freedom to create beautiful, manufacturable products.

"We're giving designers the best of both worlds in one package with fewer limitations," said Darren Chilton, program manager for solidThinking Evolve. "With its new capabilities and updated features, solidThinking Evolve 9.0 lets users focus on their design work and bringing concepts to life, rather than being distracted by the tools and technology they are using."

That has precisely been the company's focus over the last year – to continuously refine its role in the product design process. The new features in the latest solidThinking Evolve release include:

• An improved user interface for better visualization and communication, improved model shading and visualization options, more flexible object naming, flags indicating features that may need repair and a "smart delete" feature for hiding and un-hiding source objects when deleting items.
• Better surface continuity and control for several tools, and a simplified workflow that allows multiple modeling operations to be completed in a single function.
• Interactive rendering including functions that improve the ability to control multiple textures and materials on each surface. Updated texture mapping allows for interactive placement, and a new KeyShot® plug-in to save native .bip files and launch them directly to KeyShot®.
• Spanish and Portuguese language support.

solidThinking has redesigned the engine that controls the software's tools and the way that the geometry is created and stored. As a result, Evolve 9.0 is more robust than ever and produces better models to pass downstream for engineering and production.

"The improvements in tool functionality and features such as 'smart delete' make the workflow an absolute breeze," said Michal Hrk, creative director of Sundog Eyewear. "Even if you're new to the 3D CAD world, solidThinking Evolve makes the process extremely intuitive, so you get the desired result quicker."

Dozens of updates, both large and small, make Evolve 9.0 easier and faster to use, while creating an environment in which designers are very comfortable working. Users can even submit feedback in real time under the software's help section.

"We have been testing solidThinking Evolve 9.0 for a few months in our client projects and this new update enhances the software with very good improvements in workflow, visualization quality and speed, yet it feels very familiar," said Ari Salonen, CEO of Fokusdesign. "It has proven to be very stable and to handle larger files better. For us the ultimate proof is the 'wow' reaction we get from our clients. We highly recommend it!"

Visit the solidThinking Evolve 9.0 Web page for a full list of updates and features, videos and testimonials highlighting the product's enhanced capabilities, and links to obtain information on pricing and trials.

About solidThinking
solidThinking, Inc. develops and markets innovative software tools that are revolutionizing the creative process for the design, engineering and scientific communities. Concepts for new solidThinking products and enhancements are conjured from a lively partnership with the ThinkLabs Design Studio (www.thinklabsdesign.com) and parent company Altair Engineering, Inc. (www.altair.com). 

Products include solidThinking Evolve, a highly-integrated 3D concept modeling and rendering environment for designers, and solidThinking Inspire, a unique simulation-driven concept design tool for engineers and architects.

solidThinking products are sold and supported by a global network of select partners. They are also included with Altair's HyperWorks CAE Suite (www.altairhyperworks.com). See more at www.solidthinking.com.

About Altair
Altair Engineering, Inc. empowers client innovation and decision-making through technology that optimizes the analysis, management and visualization of business and engineering information. Privately held, with more than 1,500 employees, Altair has offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. With a 26-year track record for high-end software and consulting services for engineering, high-performance computing and enterprise analytics, Altair consistently delivers a competitive advantage to customers in a broad range of industries. To learn more, visit www.altair.com and www.simulatetoinnovate.com.

SOURCE Altair Engineering, Inc.