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On top of Beat's question with GeForce vs Quadro video cards, what about the best processor? Does an Corei7 have any advantages or disadvantages over a Xenon processor? Is IronCad written to take advantage of dual processors? Multithreading? Is it better to have more cores in a single processor or the same number of cores with 2 processors? Given the same number of cores, would there be a noticeable difference between a processor with a clock speed of 2.9 vs 3.3, working with an IC file of 50mg? How much RAM would be overkill for a 50mg IC file; for a 12mg file; for a 100mg file? Answers to the above questions along with the video card answer would lead to a spec for a new computer within a given budget.

Will scene files created in XG2009 32bit open in XG2009 64bit and visa versa? Can the files go freely between the 2 once they are open or created in either one?

The one on the right is better because of the reflected light helping ro define the parts. Realistic rendering is the most time consuming aspect of completing a design project. Just selecting and setting the basic lights to get decent surface definition and shadows consumes a lot of wait time, even with mid range graphic cards and multiple gigs of ram. When the products are diverse composed of different sizes, shapes and proposed materials, there is little chance of using and saving the same global settings. For everyone's edification, how long did someone spend to render that part after the modeling was complete? What was the computer setup? Would it be possible to see what all the rendering settings are? Is there a preferred sequence of rendering settings that makes the process faster to the end result?

How do you create a custom emboss shape in sheet metal? Is there a tool like the custom profile punch?

Tom, Thanks for the idea. It made sense, but didn't work. I was trying to make a shadow as if the part just slightly above a flat surface. Only using smooth shading - totally sufficient for end result. The default shadow spacing is visually about the height of the part away from the bottom. I tried your idea and put a block under the product and made it taller than the part - the shadow stayed in its original place. I moved the part up and down relative to the datum plane and that had no effect. Shadow is not at all critical for the presentation on Monday, so I can live without it and try some other time.

Is there a way to alter the distance of the shadow plane to the part? It seems to be set a given distance.

Tom, Other than the artwork for the decal are you using any other software besides IronCad for these images? They are really good.

Does anyone know why IronCad, and other programs, do not clear from memory after they are closed? This is a relatively new condition on this XP system. When the computer seems to get sluggish, I check the task manager and see the programs still listed, sometimes even 2 versions of the same program. Once I "end process", the system goes back to running smoothly. I do reguarly run disk cleanup and delete temp files as well as shut off the machine.

Does anyone know of a hot key to get the cursor to the center of the screen or some other predetermined position? (Every program, not specific to IC) My optical mouse often just jumps someplace and it is bothersome to locate the cursor. When both monitors are on it can really get lost. Running XP Pro sp2

Is there a trick to making configurations? I can't seem to get them consistently defined and I loose or change the ones that I have. Do you make the configuration you want in the scene and then name and create it or is it the other way around. Is it necessary to start in default mode and work from there? Which are the best options to check in the dialog box for making various exploded views of an assembly?

Has anyone tried the rendering software, "Bunkspeed Hypershot" (www.bunkspeed.com) as written up in the October issue of Desktop Engineering?

When applying a decal on a surface, it only shows up when I switch to realistic rendering. It used to be visible in smooth shading when the same settings were used in V8. Is this a new way of working?

After finally convincing myself that I should replace my 19" CRT, I bought a 24" wide screen from Dell. It is just fantastic. Fast enough, bright enough and a lot crisper than the old CRT. I also save about $200 dollars buying it through their outlet website. If only in IronCad we could undock the scene browser and catalogs.

Does IronCad have the ability to utilize different aspect ratio monitors? That would mean putting the scene browser and possibly catalog files to the side of a wide screen monitor creating a larger work space without stretching the working image. A circle needs to look like a circle. How about 2 monitors side by side?

Not an IronCad solution to your situation, but the SLA -STL service companies that I use work with you when you tell them what you are looking for. Also, with the new stl resins and higher resolution equipment, the shrinkage involved is less than realistic tolerance for this method. I recently had a clear lens made with the same material as the rest of the parts. What they did was to use the highest resolution when the part was made, hand sanded down to a fine grit (I think 400) and then sprayed it clear! And it ended up being clear. These were fairly large sweeping surfaces and it may not be feasible with your parts, but the process does work.