IBM UK is so pleased with the new IBM CAD (CI Nos 1,291, 1,294), the computer aided design product with computer-integrated manufacturing implementation, that a meeting was called on Friday to show it off. It was designed and developed solely by IBM to run on PS/2 and MS-DOS based systems for use with or without reprogramming. It is totally window-based with all drawing commands available at a given time displayed on the screen, this allows for easy learning. Twelve lessons are supplied on disK, ranging from beginner to advanced, these can be used at the the user’s own pace. There is a help facility accessable at the touch of a button from anywhere within the system, including both text and graphics – and IBM’s UK industrial manager believes it is the finest help facility available. Supporting entry level and departmental manufacturing applications it is touted as a cost-effective, easy-to-learn and user friendly design and drafting product with facility for data exchange with other CIM applications, which can be extended by user programming or third party applications. A modified version, Release 2, will be launched in April and will have additional features including enhancements to the drafting and three-dimensional functions, access to the IBM CAD database, file locking and support for the new 6185 plotters. Optional components, which are standard in CAD/Plus, include an Applications Programming Interface which provides system links to external applications. IBM CAD/Plus includes the CADforth program generator which enables the user to develop system extensions to the product, this version also contains a raster to vector converter, EMI and GDF data exchanges and allows multitasking. It is recommended for local area network server and host connected applications. The costs of IBM CAD and CAD/Plus are UKP761 and UKP1,297 respectively.
