What is Streamspace Design?

It’s a CAD platform. Data is standardized on XML, providing simple access to drawing data:

 

<Space>

         <ObjectId>28</ObjectId>

         <Name>*ModelSpace</Name>

<Contents>

                   <Circle>

                  <ObjectId>39</ObjectId>

                  <LayerId>27</LayerId>

                            <Center>3, -1, 0</Center>

                            <Normal>0, 0, 1</Normal>

                            <Radius>0.5</Radius>

            </Circle>

</Contents>

</Space>

 

No more hiding in complex and changing data formats. You can read and understand your own data.

Virtual corporations …

Many successful software companies rely on third party developers to make their products popular. When IBM launched OS/2, developers where charged about $2000 (in Sweden) for SDK and tools. The Windows NT 3.1 developer prelaunch program was priced at $69 for betas up to and including release 3.1. For some reason, software development on OS/2 was scarce.

… and CAD

My impression is that AutoCAD’s success doesn’t depend on the CAD features as much as on its developer tools. Autodesk claims that 70-80% of AutoCAD users use an application as well. When I was introduced to ObjectARX in 1996, Autodesk touted their “virtual corporation” mantra. By then, they had discovered that if third party developers lagged in releasing their products, end users would postpone upgrades.

 

Autodesks solution has been to move end users to inhouse “vertical applications”. As a result, third party development has crumbled. This will not improve; looking at swedish pricing, the gap between AutoCAD and AutoCAD+”vertical application” is decreasing, leaving even less room for third party products. Effectively, Autodesk has left its own “virtual corporation”.

 

This is crippling AutoCAD’s most important feature – API’s are little worth if usage stops.

Customer OEM projects

A client of mine got tired of updating their AutoCAD clients. Their users we’re running a mix of AutoCAD 2000i, 2002, 2004 and AutoCAD LT to run their application (written in ObjectARX, LT application support by hvUnlight). They wanted quick access to snap settings and fewer icons on screen. Today, they can ship udates in one small (2MB) installation file via email.

 

 

There seems to be a strong need for OEM solutions. For many, a dream sales tool would be a lowcost CAD program that allows their customers to assemble and configure parts. While Autodesk does provide an OEM platform, the initial fee combined with per license costs make it very expensive. Downloading OEM copies of AutoCAD from a website would strain any webserver.

 

Being lightweight in price, size and application development time, Streamspace Design provides an attractive alternative. OEM inquires are welcome at oem@thecadproject.com.

Present Functionality

So how much functionality can there be in a 2MB installation file? This must be a joke? No, it’s not. You’ll be amazed by how much can be accomplished by code reuse in a modern programming environment. Getting things ‘right’ often means program complexity crumbling. Here’s a feature list:

 

-         Basic elements (arc, line, polyline, text)

-         Layer management

-         Snap points

-         Grip editing

-         Complete undo/redo

-         Object undo/redo (restore a single object to a previous state)

-         Copy, move, trim, extend, array, scale

-         Object properties in custom dialogs.

-         Multiple space editing and block insertion

-         Realtime reactors allow connected objects to stay connected during editing

-         Support for C++ programming, including custom objects.

 

Partially working:

 

-         Offset

-         Regions

-         Splines

-         Quads

 

Regions are logically complete (including boolean operations) but needs better read and write capabilities (the goal is AutoCAD compatibility). Getting offset right is a tricky business. This implementation is based on voronoi diagrams and is close to complete. It will provide correct results.

The Future

Development will accelerate as revenue is increased in 2005. The first target is AutoCAD LT: providing equal functionality coupled with stable API’s at a competetive price.

 

Being written in standard C++, everything but the user interface is easily ported to other platforms. Expect a Macintosh release sometime during second half of 2005.

 

Streamspace Solids will be ported from AutoCAD. The problem is finding a 3D modeller.

 

There’s more information in for Developers and Links.

 

Henrik Vallgren,

Streamspace

 

AutoCAD and ObjectARX are trademarks of Autodesk Inc.