Microsoft and Dassault Systemes to Align XML Formats
3D XML to support and extend Microsoft's XAML format

Microsoft Corp. and Dassault Systèmes (DS) announced that, as part of their strategic alliance and commitment to jointly delivering value to their customers, they will collaborate to support Microsoft's Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) format in Dassault Systèmes' 3D Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. XAML is the format for "Avalon," the code name of the next presentation subsystem for the Microsoft® Windows® operating system.

"Avalon" provides the foundation for building applications and high-fidelity experiences, blending together user interfaces, documents and media content while exploiting the full power of users' computers. "Avalon" provides native support for declarative, markup-based programming with XAML, making it simpler to build, customize and enrich Windows-based applications.

3D XML is a universal, lightweight XML-based format that enables users to capture and share live, accurate 3D data quickly and easily. Dassault Systèmes will use the 3D XML format in its entire line of products: CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SMARTEAM, SolidWorks, and Spatial.

Compatibility between 3D XML and XAML will enable users of 3D solutions to view, modify and customize 3D objects in an environment of unmatched openness and take advantage of this 3D experience in any XAML-based application.

"Microsoft sees XML transforming all digital technologies," said Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president of the Developer and Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft. "Our deep relationship with Dassault Systèmes includes applying XML to usher in a new generation of 3D collaboration and visualization tools."

"The alliance between Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes is a clear commitment to the industry for openness, innovation and technological excellence," said Dominique Florack, executive vice president of Strategy, Research and Development at Dassault Systèmes. "Our work with Microsoft to ensure compatibility between 3D XML and XAML is a critical part of our openness strategy based on XML and is aimed at taking advantage of the Microsoft platform for 3D solutions as well as at providing applications with a rich user experience."

About Dassault Systèmes As world leader in 3D and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, the Dassault Systèmes group brings value to more than 80,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception to maintenance. Its offering includes integrated PLM solutions for product development (CATIA®, DELMIA®, ENOVIA®, SMARTEAM®), mainstream 3D design tools (SolidWorks®), and 3D components (Spatial/ACIS®). Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. More information can be found at http://www.3ds.com.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Dassault Systémes Establishes New Paradigm in Automation Design and PLC Programming
DELMIA Automation V5R15 gives control engineers a collaborative, virtual environment to design, simulate, validate and optimize automated systems

DELMIA Automation V5R15 gives control engineers a collaborative, virtual environment to design, simulate, validate and optimize automated systems

Dassault Systèmes announced the availability of its new DELMIA Automation product line, which enables control engineers in all automation industries to digitally define, control and monitor automated systems entirely in a 3D virtual environment. Based upon a unique Logic Control Modeler (LCM) technology, DELMIA Automation provides a digital model of control logic for an automated system independent of PLC hardware.

DELMIA Automation helps to significantly reduce product launch time by identifying control logic errors well before implementation through evaluation of PLC programs and/or changes on virtual equipment instead of taking risks on the real equipment -- allowing the pre-commissioning of the PLC logic and program. This reduces development time, reduces costs in both manpower and capital investment and increases total factory productivity.

"With the increasing time and cost pressures that are put upon new product introductions and production efficiency, Automation design and PLC programming can no longer be seen as an isolated function in the development process," said Philippe Charlès, CEO, DELMIA Corp. "DELMIA Automation's collaborative digital workspace allows mechanical, electrical, and control design engineers to work in parallel to share knowledge, react to changes, and communicate within the same V5 virtual environment."

The new solution provides a natural extension to the DELMIA PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) offering. While PLM solutions simplify and enhance end-to-end product management, Automation solutions validate and improve the internal behavior of control systems. PLM Data can also be reused and integrated into DELMIA Automation for a truly powerful solution that extends beyond the product lifecycle cycle vision.

DELMIA Automation is a scalable solution that can be used as a stand-alone programming environment for PLC's using the languages defined in the IEC61131-3 standard or deployed as a complete automation solution integrating mechanical, electrical and control design data in a 3D environment. DELMIA Automation LCM Studio provides the tools necessary to create, edit, debug, and validate a PLC program and allows users to create and re-use predefined control logic blocks. The resulting program can be downloaded to a PLC through an optional PLC Setup.

PLC Setups for DELMIA Automation are developed in close collaboration with major PLC providers such as SIEMENS A&D Automation Systems, Schneider Electric and OMRON Corporation.

Stability, Reliability, and Blistering Graphics Performance

Sometimes the project is too big and the models too demanding to trust anything short of the most mature, stable and powerful workstation platform you can find. Aerospace, automotive and electronics designers can't afford to wait for "out of memory" errors to resolve, or waste time breaking down complex models into smaller, less demanding sub-models.

UNIX is the old faithful environment for such uses and RISC-based platforms provide the processing and memory throughput that such professionals require, with the stability and robust reliability they demand.

The HP c8000 Workstation may be the solution you need. The HP c8000 features a 64-bit architecture and operating system and offers 16 GB of high-performance error checking and correcting (ECC) memory, industry-leading AGP 8X graphics and the latest HP zx1 chipset. It ships with either one or two dual-core PA-8800 CPUs and is certified for CATIA V4 and V5 in 32-bit mode.

The HP c8000 is the ideal UNIX workstation for CATIA V4 and can efficiently run both CAE and CAD on the same system. The HP c8000 is available with the ATI FireGLX3-256 graphics card, which delivers the best possible graphics performance for the most demanding CATIA projects.

The FireGLX3-256 offers twice the graphics memory of the FireGLX1, an increase of 9 GB/second in bandwidth (from 19.8 to 28.8 GB/second), six geometry engines and twelve pixel pipelines in the video processing unit, plus dual-link and stereo 3D video output. In raw performance this adds up to more than twice the vertices and pixels mapped per second, allowing greater productivity and reduced design cycle times.

The HP c8000 Workstation with ATI graphics and Dassault Systèmes CATIA PLM solutions provide the performance and reliability required to handle the most demanding applications, improve productivity, drive innovation, and reduce cost.

For more information on the HP c8000 Workstation, click here.

For detailed information on the ATI FireGLX3-256 graphics card, visit the ATI FireGL page.

SAE, Cadpo Launch Automotive CAD Certification for CATIA

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and Cadpo have announced examinations and four new CATIA-based courses for SAE Automotive CAD Certification - the industry's only international program that sets the standard for developing and measuring automotive CAD skills globally.

"We are excited by the industry's response to this program," said Kevin Perry, manager, SAE Professional Development. "Early feedback from OEMs and suppliers illustrates the importance of this program at this time in automotive history. OEMs view this program as a way to internally certify skills for both new hires and experienced design engineers to improve design productivity. Suppliers view this program as a way to competitively differentiate the skills of their designers and engineers."

SAE and Cadpo are launching four new CATIA-based courses this quarter, including Automotive Essentials, Interior Trim, Powertrain/Chassis and Body/Structures. The SAE Automotive CAD Professional is a design engineer who has mastered Automotive Essentials and one or more of four disciplines. Below is a list of design practices tested in each exam.

• Automotive Essentials covers topics such as: Drafting, Assembly, Part File Standards, Design for Manufacturing, Industrial Processes and Materials, Interpart Modeling, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, Electrical, Product Data Management, Generative Sheet Metal.
• Automotive Body/Structures: Body in White Design, Model Integrity, Die Design and Tooling.
• Automotive Interior Trim: Plastics Fundamentals, Packaging, Auto Design Regulations, Smart Model Geometry, Plastic Design and Tooling.
• Automotive Powertrain and Chassis: Simulations and Structures, Kinematics, Packaging, Chassis Design Fundamentals, Underbody Design, Powertrain Fundamentals, Engine Mounts, Tooling.
• Automotive Styling: Automotive Styling: Class A Surfacing Fundamentals, Surface Design Best Practices, Curve and Surface Analysis, Form, Fit & Function Quality, Studio Terminology.

See www.sae.org/cadcert for complete program information and the 2005 certification training and examination schedule. Free pre-assessments and registration are available online.