IntelliCAD is a CAD editor and development platform with an Application Programming Interface API published by the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium ("ITC") through shared development. IntelliCAD emulates the basic interface and functions of AutoCAD, however, it is particularly able to incorporate and interchange freely between a wide variety of file types (i.e., .dwg, BIM, TIFF, etc.).[1]
ITC IntelliCAD is not sold directly to end users but is licensed to consortium members,[2] who support the shared development by paying annual fees, similar to a co-op arrangement, in exchange for permission to distribute IntelliCAD-based solutions worldwide with their own end-user license agreements.[3]
IntelliCAD Technology Consortium
Founded in 1999,[4] the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium ("ITC") is the international, non-profit organizational body that develops the IntelliCAD engine and development platform for its members. The ITC also develops integrations with third-party technologies, such as the "ODA Platform" from the Open Design Alliance[5][6] which it uses for working with “.dwg”, Building information modeling (BIM), and DGN data formats.[citation needed]
The ITC supports interoperability and is a founding member of the Open Design Alliance.[7] The ITC is registered in the state of Washington in the US, and its corporate headquarters are based in Portland, Oregon, USA.[4]
Familiar command line and user interface for creating and editing CAD drawings.
Complex linetypes, multiline text, lightweight polylines, audit and recover, and blocks.
File support for customizations (.CUI), menus (.MNU), scripts (.SCR) (AutoLISP macro language), hatches, fonts including TrueType fonts, raster images, digital signatures.
Development APIs, such as LISP, COM, Visual Basic, and SDS/ADS; and also IRX which is IntelliCAD's C++ Programming API similar to ARX that allows developers to create custom entities.
IntelliCAD began as an independent AM/FM/GIS (Automated Mapping/Facilities Management/Geographic Information System) software firm in La Mesa, California in the United States. One of its products, AutoCAD Data Extension, allowed multiple users to access the same AutoCAD drawing, or have a single drawing point to entities stored in other drawings.[11]
In 1994, Softdesk, the then-largest third-party product developer for Autodesk, acquired IntelliCADD, and used the know-how to secretly develop an AutoCAD clone.[12][13] Autodesk had recently entered into direct competition with Cyco Software (another third-party Autodesk partner), and Softdesk was concerned that the same could happen to them. The AutoCAD-clone project was kept semi-secret under the project name "Phoenix".[citation needed]
In December 1996 Autodesk announced that it would acquire Softdesk outright for $90 million in common stock. A complaint regarding the inclusive sale of IntelliCADD was filed with the US Federal Trade Commission ("FTC"). According to FTC Docket No. C-3756:[14]
In approximately June 1996, Softdesk determined that it no longer had the financial ability to support continued development and marketing of the IntelliCADD product. The head of the team that had developed the product proposed to purchase the technology and formed Boomerang Technology, Inc. ("Boomerang") for the purpose of acquiring the product, completing its development, and bringing the product to market. Boomerang negotiated with Softdesk for the purchase of the IntelliCADD product and exchanged draft purchase agreements with Softdesk. Softdesk, however, terminated those negotiations at around the time that Autodesk agreed to acquire Softdesk. Softdesk representatives previously told Boomerang that Softdesk would sell the IntelliCADD product to Boomerang if Softdesk were purchased by someone other than Autodesk, but would not sell it to Boomerang if Softdesk were purchased by Autodesk...[14]
After being advised by Commission staff that Autodesk's acquisition of Softdesk raised competitive concerns in the market for personal computer-based CAD engines, Softdesk resumed negotiations with Boomerang and divested and sold all of its rights in the IntelliCADD product to Boomerang pursuant to a Technology Transfer Agreement dated February 21, 1997. On that same date, Boomerang assigned and sold all of its rights to the IntelliCADD product to Visio Corporation.[14]
By late 1996 a formal search for new venture capital was underway. Marketing director Robert Drummer was referred to John Forbes at Visio Corporation[15] and "gave him the pitch". Further according to his own first-hand account,[16][bettersourceneeded] "He (John Forbes) called back a few hours later and said that he along with Jeremy Jaech and Ted Johnson would be chartering a plane that day and would be down to take a look at a demo. They arrived in San Diego that evening." A core team of nine Softdesk/IntelliCADD developers soon moved to become employees of Visio. In March 1997 the FTC forbade "Autodesk or Softdesk from re-acquiring the IntelliCADD product or any entity that owns or controls it, without prior notice to the Commission for a 10 year period".[17][18] The FTC granted Visio leave to acquire Boomerang completely for $6.7 million in the same ruling that prevented Autodesk from doing so (above).[19]
IntelliCAD's original architect, Mike Bailey, turned and left Visio before the first release. Nevertheless, after several years of background development, "Visio IntelliCAD" (one 'D' for the product, two for name of the original company) was finally released for the first time to the public in 1998[20] with a very low price compared to AutoCAD. Twelve thousand licenses of IntelliCAD were sold in the first three months before new concerns over software stability emerged.[citation needed]
Visio's IntelliCAD 98 sold about 30,000 copies—far less than some expected. IntelliCAD development seemed to need more resources than Visio could grant it.[21] At this point, Visio "granted a royalty-free, perpetual license for the IntelliCAD[22] (2000 version) source code to The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium".[23][24]
1999-2010
On September 15, 1999 Microsoft announced that it would acquire Visio Corporation (completed in January 2000)—a deal that evidently included Visio's IntelliCAD 98.[25] A new IntelliCAD 2000 source code branch, however, continued independent development under the new ITC.[26]
IntelliCAD 3 (IntelliCAD 2001) introduced complex linetypes, XREF clipping and IntelliCAD's first display and printing of ACIS 3D solids on May 22, 2001.[27] IntelliCAD 4 released with full ACIS 3D solid modelling in 2003. IntelliCAD 5 added workspaces with tabs and DWF file support in October 2004. Also in 2004, ITC announced a new partnership with SolidWorks,[28] which added tabbed workspaces and DWF support.[29]
In November 2005, IntelliCAD 6 added True Color color support (16 million colors), ADeko Raster raster image support tool, previewing thumbnails while viewing drawing files, drawing and viewing elements, and attaching WAV files as audio notes.[30]
During the 2008 ITC meeting in Athens, Greece, the first test release of IntelliCAD 7 was announced with a complete replacement of the old ITC internal database and the old "SDS" API with newer DWGdirect and DRX APIs from the ODA.[31] In 2009, about 50 ITC members globally shared in IntelliCAD development.[32] Work continued on IntelliCAD 7 while simultaneously releasing IntelliCAD 6.1 through 6.6 over the next several years.[citation needed]
2011-2015
The complete replacement of the old ITC internal database was released as IntelliCAD 7 in June 2011.[33]
IntelliCAD 8 was released on June 13, 2014, for 64-bit and 32-bit versions and allowed opening, saving and creating *.dwg files of the 2014 file format. New features included layer states, search layer filters, layer transparency and window freezing, custom menu *.cui files, quick selection, 3D orbits, additional mesh capabilities, Collada (.dae) file import, MrSID MG4 compressed raster image support and more. IntelliCAD 8.0 included Teigha® Open Design Alliance (ODA) version 3.9.1 and VBA 7.1 support. The source code for advanced rendering and image processing components was made available to all ITC members.[34]
2017-2021
At the 2017 conference in Auckland, New Zealand, IntelliCAD as a native .dgn file editor was announced.[35] IntelliCAD 8.4 was released in July 2017 and included the ability to attach IFC files as underlays.[36]
Released in June 2018, IntelliCAD 9 included native support for opening, editing and saving *.dwg 2018 file versions, incremental saving to increase performance, Mechanical entity support, tool palettes, and issues related to running IntelliCAD on Fall Creators 2017 Microsoft® Windows® 10 were also fixed. IntelliCAD 9 also included the ability to work with data from .rvt/.rfa files (Autodesk Revit files) and import IFC files as architectural entities.[37]
Released in July 2020, IntelliCAD 10 included import of Wavefront Technologies Object (.obj) files, import and export of Stereolithography (.stl) files, dynamic input, migrate user interface customizations, and clickable keywords.[38]
Released in August 2021, IntelliCAD 10.1 included significant speed enhancements, significant performance improvements, insert and work with geographic maps, restore default program settings from the operating system Start menu, create and edit tables and table styles, create and edit sheet sets, insert dynamic blocks, import .pdf files with more advanced options, import point data from .csv and .txt files, and import map files (.shp, .sdf, .sqlite files). Also included is integration with 3Dconnexion input devices for streamlining the CAD drawing experience.[39]
2022-2023
Released in August 2022, IntelliCAD 11.0 emphasized viewing and vizualization tools such as a view cube, section planes, view and visual style controls, 3D walk and fly, and a 3D on-screen positioner. Other new commands and features were released, including specific additions to working with BIM and DGN files. Members received a pre-release of IntelliCAD IcAPI, which is highly compatible with AutoCAD Object ARX and allows ITC members to build applications with a single code base that runs on both platforms.[40] Also released in 2022 was IntelliCAD 11.1, which focussed on adding new commands and abilities across several areas, including but not limited to dimensions, blocks, tables, custom paper sizes for .pc3 files, and export to IFC.[41]
Released in October 2023, IntelliCAD 12.0 emphasized reporting (data extraction), super hatches, Quick Properties pane, project geometry, section plane settings, PDF presets, legacy image tile menus, and many more new commands. IntelliCAD versions that work with BIM files focussed on levels, AEC styles, and plane symbols for creating roofs and ceilings. IntelliCAD versions that natively work with DGN files focussed on Explorer elements such as layers, linetypes, dimension styles, blocks, and layouts.[42]
Released in December 2023, IntelliCAD 12.1 emphasized creating and editing advanced blocks using parameters, actions, and visibility states; an enhanced attribute editor; drag and drop .dwg files as blocks to tool palettes, use print stamp setting (.pss) files, and more. IntelliCAD versions that work with BIM files added choosing the IFC4 or IFC4x3 schema when exporting to .ifc files, and display properties for AEC styles. IntelliCAD versions that natively work with DGN files added attaching cell library (.cel) files, using the Explorer command to work with layouts and text styles, and snapping to geometric centers.[43]
Released in July 2024, IntelliCAD 13.0 emphasized a new Options dialog, Quick Calculator, new surface commands, lookup tables for advanced blocks, ARX application loading, an all-new LISP API, and more. IntelliCAD versions that work with BIM files included IFC validation, RVT to IFC conversion, AEC dimensions, .ifc layers, and new AEC styles. IntelliCAD versions that natively work with DGN files included BMP Out, Undelete, and Copy Nested Entities commands; parallel entity snapping; and the Explorer for views, external references, blocks, and layer filters.[44]
Software based on IntelliCAD
IntelliCAD serves as the backbone for several CAD applications, including:[45]
AutoCAD is a 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software application developed by Autodesk. It was first released in December 1982 for the CP/M and IBM PC platforms as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. Initially a DOS application, subsequent versions were later released for other platforms including Classic Mac OS (1992), Microsoft Windows (1993) and macOS (2010), iOS (2010), and Android (2011).
Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communications through documentation, and to create a database for manufacturing. Designs made through CAD software help protect products and inventions when used in patent applications. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, machining, or other manufacturing operations. The terms computer-aided drafting (CAD) and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) are also used.
Autodesk, Inc. is an American multinational software corporation that provides software products and services for the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media, education, and entertainment industries. Autodesk is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and has offices worldwide. Its U.S. offices are located in the states of California, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Michigan, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Its Canada offices are located in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.
MicroStation is a CAD software platform for two- and three-dimensional design and drafting, developed and sold by Bentley Systems and used in the architectural and engineering industries. It generates 2D/3D vector graphics objects and elements and includes building information modeling (BIM) features. The current version is MicroStation CONNECT Edition.
DWG is a proprietary binary file format used for storing two- and three- dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several CAD packages including DraftSight, AutoCAD, ZWCAD, IntelliCAD, Caddie and Open Design Alliance compliant applications. In addition, DWG is supported non-natively by many other CAD applications. The .bak, .dws, .dwt and .sv$ files are also DWG files.
DGN (design) is the name used for CAD file formats supported by Bentley Systems, MicroStation and Intergraph's Interactive Graphics Design System (IGDS) CAD programs. The DGN format is used in construction projects, including buildings, highways, bridges, process plants, shipbuilding. DGN is a competing format to Autodesk's DWG.
CAD standards are a set of guidelines for the appearance of computer-aided design (CAD) drawings should appear, to improve productivity and interchange of CAD documents between different offices and CAD programs, especially in architecture and engineering.
Rhinoceros is a commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) application software that was developed by TLM, Inc, dba Robert McNeel & Associates, an American, privately held, and employee-owned company that was founded in 1978. Rhinoceros geometry is based on the NURBS mathematical model, which focuses on producing mathematically precise representation of curves and freeform surfaces in computer graphics.
SketchUp is 3D modeling software that is used to create and manipulate 3D models. It is used in architecture and interior design.
Navisworks is a 3D design review package for Microsoft Windows.
Open Design Alliance is a nonprofit organization creating software development kits (SDKs) for engineering applications. ODA offers interoperability tools for CAD, BIM, and Mechanical industries including .dwg, .dxf, .dgn, Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Navisworks, and .ifc files and additional tools for visualization, web development, 3D PDF publishing and modeling.
ProjectWise is a suite of engineering project collaboration software from Bentley Systems designed for the architecture, engineering, construction, and owners/operator (AECO) industries. It helps project teams design, manage, review, share, and distribute engineering project content all within a single connected data environment (CDE). ProjectWise is a file and vendor agnostic solution capable of managing any type of CAD, BIM, geospatial and project data. As well, direct CAD integration is available for Bentley applications and other vendors and software titles including Autodesk & Microsoft Office.
Tekla is a software product family that consists of programs for analysis and design, detailing and project communication. Tekla software is produced by Trimble, the publicly listed US-based technology company.
BricsCAD® is a software application for computer-aided design (CAD), developed by Bricsys nv. The company was founded in 2002 by Erik de Keyser, a longtime CAD entrepreneur. In 2011 Bricsys acquired the intellectual property rights from Ledas for constraints-based parametric design tools, permitting the development of applications in the areas of direct modeling and assembly design. Bricsys is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, and has additional development centers in Nizhny Novgorod and Novosibirsk, Russia; Bucharest, Romania and Singapore. Bricsys is a founding member of the Open Design Alliance, and joined the BuildingSMART International consortium in December 2016.
FreeCAD is a general-purpose parametric 3D computer-aided design (CAD) modeler and a building information modeling (BIM) software application with finite element method (FEM) support. It is intended for mechanical engineering product design but also expands to a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or electrical engineering. FreeCAD is free and open-source, under the LGPL-2.0-or-later license, and available for Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. Users can extend the functionality of the software using the Python programming language.
SprutCAM X is a high-level Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software that provides off-line features for programming of various CNC machines used for cutting, wire electrical discharge (EDM), 2, 3, and multi axial machining.
buildingSMART, formerly the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), is an international organisation which aims to improve the exchange of information between software applications used in the construction industry. It has developed Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) as a neutral and open specification for Building Information Models (BIM) as well as Information Delivery Specification (IDS).
FINE MEP is a BIM CAD software tool for building services engineering design, built on top of IntelliCAD. It provides full IFC support, according to the 2x3 IFC Standard. FINE BIM structure, enables a smart model shaping and high design accuracy, directly applied to the real 3D-building model and its building services. Not only the building elements, but also the components of the mechanical/electrical installations themselves are all intelligent objects carrying their own attributes and interacting among each other. MEP design is supported by specific CAD commands and further facilitated through sophisticated recognition and validation algorithms, providing a user-friendly modeling environment.
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AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application by Autodesk. The first release of the software started with version 1.0 in December 1982. The software has been continuously updated since its initial release.
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