Delcam enhances ArtCam Pro CADCAM creative capabilities

Free Relief Modelling allows previously-created reliefs to be selected and then moved, rotated, rescaled and copied, either individually or as part of a group. Any part of the design can be isolated, edited and then recombined into a group for duplication or further editing within the group. At any stage in the process, either individual items or a group of items can be saved within ArtCAM Pro's clipart library for use in future projects. The overall result is much more natural than simply duplicating a single shape across the design, while also being much quicker than modelling each item individually. Examples where the technique could be used include creating the feathers in a model of a bird or designing a forest of similar trees without them all appearing identical. A related development allows the interaction between different layers to be viewed in real time. This will make it much faster to choose the optimum combination of the different layers as the effects of changing the overlap can be seen instantly. Sketching in ArtCAM Pro has been made easier by giving the designer the freedom to alternate between straight and curved vectors when drawing. Once created, vectors can now be added to or closed, and any nodes within them can be edited or deleted, at any time, either in the 2D or 3D view. The ability to add textures to designs has always been an important feature of the software. This ability has been extended with a patent-pending Texture Flow tool to create more natural organic textures, such as hair, fur and scales. More natural effects can also be obtained with an addition to the sculpting tools. Sculpting effects can now be scattered randomly across the design as well as placed systematically. More control is available over all the sculpting options as these can now be limited to a specific area or to a set height. The 'undo" option is still available if the results aren't as expected. Designed for skilled artisans rather than engineers, ArtCam Pro requires little knowledge of engineering or computing, enabling users to combine their craft skills and creativity with the power and precision of computer-aided manufacturing. The additional ArtCAM Pro capabilities can be displayed with even more realistic renders of designs as the software now comes with POV-Ray ray-tracing technology, allowing high quality images to be generated for customer approval or marketing materials.