What's New? In CAD
Carlson Software specializes in programs for surveyors and related fields, and want to remind us all that their tech support is still free — since 1983. More at https://carlsonsw.com/news/carlson-tech-support-still-free-and-great-after-all-these-years.
Snaptrude now runs a spreadsheet inside of itself, called "Program Mode." It links cells with objects in drawings, controlling their properties. A wizard updates values based on natural language input. Currently in beta at https://www.snaptrude.com.
Vectorworks brings back its virtual Open House, with keynote speeches, the upcoming roadmap, and forums for users to ask Qs. Takes place March 24 at 4pm-10pm Pacific, and March 25 at 10am- 1pm Eastern. Register at https://events.zoom.us/eo/AnZ-E6d4Rj9ez56DILHATaHf2lxWXAZy0BDFLIsBVjsHSUlnzW9H~AggLXsr32QYFjq8BlYLZ5I06Dg
Dassault Systemes’ renamed digital twin “3D Univ+rses” is a XaaS (experience as a service) made up of
PLM is renamed IPLM (intellectual property lifecycle management). More at https://www.3ds.com/newsroom/press-releases/dassault-systemes-reveals-3d-universes-and-related-ai-based-services
“Microsoft has published research showing an erosion of critical-thinking skills among workers using generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT” at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/uploads/prod/2025/01/lee_2025_ai_critical_thinking_survey.pdf
-Unusual Whales
Design Engineering offers a three-part Webinar series on AI for engineers ($49). Topics:
David Rosenthal describes the differences between archiving and backing up data, and the types of archival media to use/not use at https://blog.dshr.org/2025/03/archival-storage.html. Fun fact: Microsoft’s DNA storage system from 2019 cost $10,000 to store five bytes of data; it took 21 hours to write then read the 5 bytes.
Formas.ai turns sketches into AI-rendered images. Waiting list only, for now, at https://formas.ai/. None of the links in the Web site worked for me, but it appears to be a toolkit that lets you (a) sketch in 2D or place 3D volumes and then (b) specify what the sketched items are.
Stability AI releases Virtual Camera that converts 2D images into videos with depth and perspective. Works with up to 22 images. Details at https://stability.ai/news/introducing-stable-virtual-camera-multi-view-video-generation-with-3d-camera-control.
Siemens is cutting 6,000+ jobs (2%) worldwide (aka "strengthening competitiveness") due to
Official words at https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-strengthen-competitiveness-automation-business-and-electric-vehicle-charging.