SpaceClaim explained

SpaceClaim
Developer:	SpaceClaim Corporation
Latest Release Version:	2020.R2
Operating System:	Windows
Genre:	CAD
License:	Proprietary

SpaceClaim is a solid modeling CAD (computer-aided design) software that runs on Microsoft Windows and developed by SpaceClaim Corporation. The company is headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts.

SpaceClaim Corporation was founded in 2005 to develop 3D solid modeling software for mechanical engineering. Its first CAD application was launched in 2007 and used an approach to solid modeling where design concepts are created by pulling, moving, filling, combining, and reusing 3D shapes.^[1]

It was acquired by Ansys in May 2014, Inc, and was integrated in subsequent versions of Ansys Simulation packages as a built-in 3D modeler.^[2]

SpaceClaim Corporation markets SpaceClaim Engineer directly to end-user and indirectly by other channels. SpaceClaim also licenses its software for OEMs, such as ANSYS,^[3] Flow International Corporation,^[4] CatalCAD.

Modeling technology

SpaceClaim's 3D direct modeling technology is primarily expressed through its user interface in four tools: pull, move, fill, and combine:

• Pull contains most creation features found in traditional CAD systems, determining its behavior through users’ selection and though the use of secondary tool guides. For example, using the Pull tool on a face by default offsets the face, but using the Pull tool on an edge rounds the edge.
• Move repositions components and geometry, and can also be used to create patterns (often called arrays).
• Fill primarily removes geometry from a part by extending geometry to fill in the surrounding area. Popular uses include deleting rounds and holes from a model. SpaceClaim Engineer also includes more specialized tools for model preparation.
• Combine performs boolean and splitting operations, such as merging parts and subtracting parts from each other.

These functions were developed in the modelling kernel ACIS^[5] licensed to SpaceClaim by Dassault Systemes.

History

In September 2005, Mike Payne, Danny Dean, David Taylor, and Blake Courter founded SpaceClaim Corporation. Mike Payne was previously a founder of PTC and SolidWorks. On April 1, 2007, SpaceClaim released SpaceClaim 2007 Professional, its first commercial release.

On September 30, 2008, Chris Randles become CEO and Mike Payne become chairman of the board.^[6]

On July 21, 2009, SpaceClaim announced support for multi-touch hardware.^{[7] [8]}

On April 29, 2014, technical software company ANSYS (NASDAQ: ANSS) acquired SpaceClaim for $85 million in cash, plus considerations. http://gfxspeak.com/2014/05/01/acquires-spaceclaim-million/. ANSYS is specialized in developing software for product development simulation and analysis, and has sold a version of SpaceClaim (named ANSYS SpaceClaim Direct Modeler) as an option for its CAE software since 2009.

Release history

Name/Version	Release Date
SpaceClaim 2007 Professional	April 1, 2007
SpaceClaim 2007+ Professional	November 15, 2007
SpaceClaim 2008 Professional	April 4, 2008
SpaceClaim Engineer 2009	February 13, 2009
SpaceClaim Engineer 2009+	November 18, 2009
SpaceClaim Engineer 2010	August 6, 2010
SpaceClaim Engineer 2011	January 18, 2011
SpaceClaim Engineer 2012	March 20, 2012
SpaceClaim Engineer 2012+	October 10, 2012
SpaceClaim Engineer 2014	December 10, 2013
ANSYS SpaceClaim 2015	November 19, 2014
ANSYS SpaceClaim 2016	December 20, 2016
ANSYS SpaceClaim 2017	March 18, 2017
ANSYS SpaceClaim 19.0	February 8, 2018RR

See also

• Comparison of CAD software
• Comparison of CAD editors for CAE

External links

• Official Web Site
• CatalCAD SpaceClaim product

Notes and References

1. Wade Roush, SpaceClaim Captures $5 Million Series D Funding to “Democratize” 3D Modeling, Xconomy Boston, May 13, 2010, sourced on January 9, 2011
2. ANSYS Acquires SpaceClaim Corporation, A Leading Provider Of 3-D Modeling Software http://otp.investis.com/clients/us/ansys/usn/usnews-story.aspx?cid=806&newsid=16276
3. David Mantey, ANSYS & SpaceClaim Streamline Engineering Design & Simulation Product Development, Product Design & Development, September 09, 2009, "ANSYS and SpaceClaim entered a licensing and distribution agreement this morning to offer SpaceClaim 3D Direct Modeling as an option within the ANSYS Simulation Driven Product," sourced on January 11, 2011
4. Larry Boulden, Manageable Modeling for Waterjet Machining, Design World Online, October 07, 2009, "FlowMaster now includes SpaceClaim Engineer and Style software packages," sourced on January 11, 2011
5. Web site: SpaceClaim Frequently Asked Questions. SpaceClaim Corporation. 17 May 2013.
6. Web site: DEVELOP3D . 2011-04-13 . The Chris Randles interview . 2023-06-21 . DEVELOP3D . en-GB.
7. Edward C. Baig, Windows 7 Could Hasten Touch-Screen Computers, USA Today, November 12, 2009, "SpaceClaim is about to bring out sophisticated 3D modeling software for engineers that exploits multitouch," sourced on January 13, 2011.
8. Stephen H. Wildstrom, Multitouch Moves to the Big Screen: PCs, Business Week, October 28, 2009, "SpaceClaim Engineer, a high-end design program, will allow 3D rotation of a model by touching one finger to the point you want to use as a pivot and rotating the drawing with a second finger," sourced on January 13, 2011