Pro/e does not use ACIS (although, it does have ACIS import/export), it uses the same kernal it always has (granite, just got that name a few years ago).
Why do other tools, like SW, not take advantage of other parasolid features, I would think that is a limitation of the developer or the choices they make in utilizing those features, customer demands, market direction and of course cost. Since SW indirectly owns ACIS via it's parent company, Dassault Systemes, I can guess that the decisions to utilize and promote parasolid functionality maybe a contradiction to their future interest or a partial reason or unwillingness for SW Corp to move faster with implementing more surface tools from parasolid, for SW? And this may also be a waiting game for SW Corp to see if they can break away from parasolid, or shifting to ACIS, while maintaining the speed and functionality the SW users are use too? IMHO, I still think parasolid kicks ass but I'm sure the line between of speed and functionality is becoming a blur so... who knows...when the timing is right, and if ACIS saves SW Corp money and it does not have a adverse effect on it's users as well as give them what they need...?
It all comes back to their user base and most SW users do not need or will ever need surfacing... so what is the incentive for SW Corp?? Money and competition are the major driving influences and also new users requesting more surfacing tools are the only hope for users who have been requesting more surfacing tools.
Over the years, I just do not see SW Corp as a front runner to innovation. Yeah, they are better than AutoDe$k, but becoming similar over the years.. also they're a company they have been true to it's intention, to be a mainstream design tool and just a bit more at times. (mainstream = typical = average = general = conservative = the average levi wearing 9-5 joe...) Unfortunately, SW has been trying to be everything to everybody and in some ways loosing touch with the mainstream, which is still a huge market and that is where tools like Inventor (surfacing is limited but they are trying) have focused and another reason why (read, no competition) SW has not pushed enough with surfacing. Now, with Pro/e adding more ISDX surfacing to it's foundation package and SolidEdge pushing it BlueDot functionality.. as well as other inexpensive tools adding parametric and relational surfacing,.. the hope for adding more parametric curve and surfacing tools into SW will most likely be shifting towards the needs of SW users in need of those tools.
So, finally, there are other mainstream, inexpensive and evolved modeling tools which are again being innovative leaders and pushing relational or parametric driven curves and surfacing with more ease of use, control and manipulation functionality... so there is hope in the forseable future...
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TheTick wrote: