Archway Systems, Inc. (Huntington Beach, CA) announced VersaCAD 2008, developer and marketer of design software solutions including VersaCAD, described as a versatile, computer-aided design and drafting (CAD) tool that is based on XML. XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is an industry standard for application file formats. The idea is to give the owners of the data control of the data, rather than the software publisher having the user locked in. Notice that all the new Microsoft Office applications have a new file format with an “x” added. Similarly, VersaCAD’s new file format extension is .2dx rather than the older .2d VersaCAD 2008 can read and write any older file format. VersaCAD 2008 is tuned to run with Windows Vista while maintaining compatibility with Windows XP, and Windows 2000. VersaCAD 2008 still has a tiny footprint compared to contemporaries and so can run on computers with smaller memory. VersaCAD capacity has been increased to the point that it is now only limited by the size of the computer. Drawings have been processed with more than a half million objects. The translator has been improved not only by incorporating the latest from Open Design, which now includes AutoCAD 2007, 2008, and 2009, but, also by now including many later AutoCAD entities that previously were ignored. New features inside VersaCAD include recent-files on file menu, bill of material added to file menu, nested symbols, improved grid, built-in 100 fonts, new organization of symbol libraries by discipline, and more. VersaCAD’s single keystroke command entry, which yields the shortest learning curve and maximum CAD productivity for any discipline. VersaCAD 2008 ($795 per license; $195 academic). For details, contact Archway Systems, Inc. Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.
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