Bricsys Makes Engineering Software, APIs Free to Students

  • By Tim Sohn
  • 06/04/12

Bricsys has launched a global academic program, which provides free engineering software and application programming interface (API) access to students and schools.

One piece of software now available free of charge from Bricsys is Bricscad V12 Platinum, computer-aided design (CAD) software. Features of Bricscad V12 Platinum, which can be used on both Windows and Linux operating systems in 3D modeling rendered mode, include the ability to:

  • Read and write .dwg files;
  • Detect automatic design intent;
  • Add and control 3D model constraints;
  • Keep the number of clicks to a minimum with the use of the "quad" tool;
  • Add commands, hatches, and blocks in a tabbed window through the tool palette; and
  • View blocks in drawings that are not open and place them in the drawing being worked on.

By making a variety of APIs available to them the move is designed to allow students and teachers to come up with new engineering software and CAD developments. The company will also create and launch an e-store where students and schools can sell their apps online. Payment and sales will be handled by Bricsys.

The academic program is available to download for free for the first 12 months to students, teachers, and schools. After the first year, educational institutions must renew their membership.
 
The company, which has European headquarters in Belgium and United States headquarters in New Hampshire, is a member of the Open Design Alliance, which supports "open industry-standard formats for the exchange of CAD data" and "the maintenance of valuable data stored by legacy design systems," according to its Web site. Membership fees provide members with access to the Teigha software development platform.

For more information, visit bricsys.com.

About the Author

Tim Sohn is a 10-year veteran of the news business, having served in capacities from reporter to editor-in-chief of a variety of publications including Web sites, daily and weekly newspapers, consumer and trade magazines, and wire services. He can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @editortim.

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