Manchester, UK. 6 April, 2010. - Icona Solutions Ltd., the developer of the innovative perceived quality simulation and visualization software solution, aesthetica, has announced the availability of aesthetica Version 3.2.

Uniquely, aesthetica applies manufacturing tolerances and component location schemes directly to 3D CAD models and simulates assembly deformation so as to enable true-life perceived quality studies using realistic imagery, early in the product development process.

New with aesthetica 3.2 is the availability of a full, native 64-bit version, enhanced perceived quality scenario capture functions, an updated JT import module and improved 3D CAD model tessellation processes. It also sees the release of a trial version of a production prototype interface to RTT DeltaGen, an interactive realistic visualization solution.

Unlocking the potential of 64-bit computing
The introduction of a native 64-bit version of aesthetica, which takes full advantage of the latest 64-bit computing platforms, brings benefits in terms of the size and complexity of CAD models that can be handled by the software. Whereas the model size that the 32-bit version can handle is limited to less than 3 gigabytes regardless of how much memory is installed in the machine, the new 64-bit version can utilise all available memory, enabling it to work with very much larger and more detailed 3D CAD models.

In addition, Monte Carlo analysis and model deformation is performed up to 25% faster in the 64-bit version, depending on the model size and complexity, while more detailed polygon models can be produced for more accurate visualization results. The 64-bit version also enables larger material sets and textures to be created for use in the visualisation process.

Faster visualization production and recall
In response to the requests of those existing and potential customers who, in addition to using aesthetica also use other 3D rendering software solutions, aesthetica 3.2 introduces enhanced perceived quality scenario capture facilities.

These new scenario capture functions enable users to capture gap and flush target scenarios – i.e. what is desired from a perceived quality viewpoint – along with tolerance scenarios – i.e. what you will actually get – all combined within a single window. Users can automatically capture as many target/specification and/or simulated scenarios as required, together with viewing points, materials and textures and then instantly recall these scenarios during a perceived quality review meeting.

The captured scenarios can also be exported directly to selected third-party visualization solutions. This does away with the need to set up individual variation models within these third-party solutions, dramatically reducing the time needed to produce high-end visualizations for management and executive reviews or for customer clinics.

Other enhancements to improve productivity
Improved 3D CAD model tessellation processes introduced with aesthetica 3.2 produce seamless, crack-free polygon models by identifying shared edges between surfaces during tessellation and healing the surfaces to create a seamless polygon model. This results in higher quality visualization and smaller file sizes.

The existing JT import module for aesthetica has also been updated with Version 3.2 to take account of the latest version of the JT format, with support for NX v5 and NX v6 CAD/CAM software from Siemens PLM Software.

As well as benefiting from the additional features and functions introduced with aesthetica 3.2, users who choose the 32-bit version will also benefit from general software optimization, which delivers overall performance improvements around 20% - 50% compared with the current version, depending on the operation.

An optional, direct interface to the RTT DeltaGen high-end, realistic visualization software solution is introduced as a production prototype with aesthetica 3.2. This interface will be ready for full product release later in the summer this year.

Availability
The 32-bit and 64-bit versions of aesthetica 3.2 are available immediately - as a no-charge upgrade to existing customers on maintenance contract - through Icona Solutions’ recognised business partners across Europe, the USA and Asia.

About Icona Solutions Ltd.
Icona Solutions develops software that uniquely combines variation simulation and high-end visualization to provide immediate insight into the impact of manufacturing variation and deformation on perceived quality, improving the desirability of the finished product while saving time, avoiding costs and improving communication and collaboration. Icona Solutions is a member of both Dassault Systèmes’ CAA V5 Adopters and Siemens PLM Software’s JT Open programs and a development partner of Autodesk, enabling the company to develop software solutions as an integral part of the broader PLM software environment. Icona’s products are supplied and supported globally through a network of qualified resellers and engineering service providers. Find out more at: www.iconasolutions.com

ENDS

Editors: for further information and/or images, contact:

Tim Illingworth: +44 (0)161 498 8577, e-mail: Email Contact
Neil McLeod: +44 (0)1666 504293, e-mail: Email Contact