



Third, you have parametrics, the glue that connects individual entities within a sketch, each feature, between parts, and so on. Second, there’s history, commonly represented as a hierarchical tree of features created in steps to arrive at an end result (if features are the ingredients, then history is the recipe). First, there’s the feature-based modeling methodology where geometry construction is split into explicit operations. There’s a common thread running through these milestones, a thread of three core technologies. Payne, who was the founding architect of Pro/ENGINEER (a system that brought about the parametric design revolution that remains the bedrock of today’s 3D modeling systems), and what became SolidWorks, is largely responsible for kickstarting the Windows-based modeling revolution that we consider mainstream today. SpaceClaim - founded a little more than two years ago by Mike Payne and a handful of industry luminaries - just might be the next big thing. The new Cross Section tools allow you to strip back a part or assembly, present the internal forms of the geometry in an understandable and standard manner, and then use the edge pull command to directly manipulate that geometry.For those working with products with complex forms (pumps, drive, or powertrain components as well as medical devices), this makes a huge amount of sense.
