It will spread like Wildfire -Review2003 by Bart Brejcha

Not just a name-
This is the name given to the newest revision to the worlds leading CAD package. Naming conventions in the past have used a numeric scheme to specify the Pro/ENGINEER version identity. A previous (1998) release was designated Pro/ENGINEER V20. This convention began to transmogrify with everything else at the turn of the Century when PTC dubbed their millennial software Pro/ENGINEER 2000i, then Pro/ENGINEER 2000i^2 (squared). PTC had to distance themselves from the Autodesk and likely come up with millennial commemorative naming of their software first and apparently had the same exponential naming convention.

There is strong presumption that PTC has the most progressive hi-end product design and communication software in the world. Even SolidWorks agrees. However, SolidWorks’ internal mission has always been to make their CAD software easy to use as that targets the 90% or the Bell Curve of the design and engineering population. As a mechanism to maximize profitability while reaching large audiences with differing needs, each each competitor in the MCAD market sells software in bundles or modules. Each maintains FEA, CNC and some kind of photo rendering modules. PTC has since its entry, maintained the highest percentage of the Hi-End Market. With the Wildfire, PTC has tried to both maintain the upper percentage of users that SolidWorks does not target while at the same time keeping in mind their hi-end users.

PTC has always welcomed constructive criticism of their software. Like any enlightened leader or wise organization they have strived to change based on past criticism.

Although I personally have been asking for the software to be able to turn a cut into a protrusion since 1995 it did take SolidWorks to get PTC to evoke that change. In Wildfire a user evokes an Extrude command then decides later on in the effort if that extrude should be a cut or a protrusion. Competition is good and helps the industry.

PTC revolutionized CAD when Pro/ENGINEER was introduced in the late 80’s. It seems that PTC took an early stance at re-architecturing CAD first in the late 80’s then again in the mid 90’s. Today CAD is no longer just 'computer aided design'. It is rather more about communicating design intent, form and tooling data hence the term ‘database’. In the 80’s designers and engineers would create 2 dimensional drawings and FedEx them to China for tooling. Almost every drawing had notes that stated to blend from ‘here’ to ‘here’. That popular concept lives on in the uninformed, who still refer to a CAD model database as “a CAD drawing”. It is likely that some designers fall prey to that flawed construct when they shop for their design automation tools. With dynamic 3d Models, multi-axis CNS machining and burning electrodes, any in specificity of communication is gone. Non-English speaking tooling vendors don’t have to ask as many questions. Non-English speaking tooling vendors that never asked questions in the past, no longer have an excuse for poor deliverables! If design intent or form has not been compromised, everything a tooling vendor needs to know is in the database.

Drawing in the sand was standard in prehistoric times (and in prehistoric presidencies) was a way to communicate strategy. I can easily imagine a cave dweller drawing a big circle with a scraggly, perhaps toothless grin as she first documented their invention of the wheel! Unlike the cave man or woman, we communicate form, design, engineering data, detail drawings and tooling information to our managers, tooling vendors and others using CAD developed data. The next and only logical step in our shrinking world is to integrate web access into the heart of our CAD software, and to bring communication between designers, engineers, tooling and all who toil on these increasingly and bewilderingly complex mechanical problems closer to the tube. See Communication and Collaboration' below-

What is in a Name -
What does the name Wildfire imply? My guess is that PTC management wanted to move away from the "plain vanilla" term ‘ENGINEER’ in the name of their flagship software. Beyond mechanical, chemical or electrical engineers, few others can identify with the term ‘engineer’ and even engineers need to have a little excitement. Industrial designers have always prefer Alias Wavefront products because the iconography and iconoclasm appeals to them. I think that the name Wildfire is simply an attempt by PTC management to move away from the term engineer and appeal to a wider target audience, perhaps a demographically divergent market as well. Not just industrial designers but the occasional doctor who might only use Pro/E 2 hrs per month. It is my understanding that doctors, industrial designers and mechanics who use Wildfire only a few hours per week do so smoothly. So for software that is intended for a broader range of users besides engineering centric types, getting away from the title “engineer” makes perfect sense.

Details -
I did not want to make this article overly specific about tools or individual commands; that is not the focus. We certainty don’t want to count menu picks either. It should suffice for me to mention that there were three main consideration leading to the re-architecturing of the product into Wildfire.

1) Redesigned interface
2) New features
3) Communication and Collaboration

1) Redesigned Interface -
That there is a new set of iconography available is duly noted. The architecture of the user interface has been greatly enhanced and made to operate as even a novice Windows application user might expect. Commands have been moved around, which might make it difficult for experienced power users to relocate a chosen function, but this was a necessary task for the architects. Items have been moved because during the design process, to ‘re-architect the interface’ meant to break down the existing product down into individual parts. The designers grouped everything on paper, and found details such as where items go be more intuitive. I will honestly say that the ‘menu mapper’ will be your friend. For example, ‘Redefine’ has changed into ‘edit definition’, except during fail mode. Then it is redefine again.

For the big picture, PTC enlisted the help of the internationally known Bentley College, who helped PTC validate the GUI redesign process. Bentley College is renowned in circles for Software GUI and Ergonomic (man-machine) studies; that is where things go and how naturally they feel when used.

Specifically, the ‘middle’ button now functions as a ‘Done’ click. This will indubitably mess up long-term heavy users for the first few hours but the pain diminishes as productivity soars. Personally, I only find this feature frustrating for the short term because I spend equal time working with Pro/ENGINEER 2001 and Wildfire. If I could be done with 2001, my pain would truly be gone. Once a user gets used to the function they will find the middle button click a time saver.

2) New features -
User group technical committees, direct customer input and PTC internal assessment primarily drive these new features. Jim Heppelmann, executive VP at PTC drives the 'Customer First' vision. Jim has a degree in engineering and specialized early-on in CAD. He worked at Control Data Corporation when they were resellers of PTC products and a maker of high-end surfacing software. He realized early on that the internet would ultimately be a platform for product development and he was the motive force in starting Windchill technologies, which was later purchased by PTC.

He was and is the visionary behind integrating communication and Internet technology into Wildfire. Pure productivity is important, but it is not always ‘the long pole in the tent’, as Jim often puts it. Connecting CAD to the rest of the world with access to part libraries, data management vaults and online collaboration to other users is essential. These are the things that other CAD vendors are not doing.

3) Communication and Collaboration-
Wildfire is not just a new software release or CAD tool, it is what all CAD packages must ultimately strive to be: a communication tool. (See Connectivity just below.) Firstly: with the ability to directly connect the CAD engine to parts suppliers, (since the browser is integrated into the model window) users can drag parts directly from venders' sites on the web right into an assembly. Amazingly, the component will even drop right into position automatically with a little up front setup effort. Second, because of the new peer to peer conferencing ability (Not included in the base price of Wildfire $1500 extra), teams working in multiple locations can send Pro/E commands back and forth. Users can grab hold of another’s part from some distant location. Imagine the experienced Pro/E user state side offering help to their Chinese counterparts in Hong Kong. Another example of the newly licensed Groove Networks technology is for tech support with your internal or external tech support office. We use this functionality with our clients every day. This depth of communication is essential for the success of our clients in today's head-spinning global market.

Specific Details -
USER INTERFACE - The new interface is largely enhanced, the iconography has changed and mouse buttons work differently. There are some inconsistencies, however, like what happens during failure mode when the interface jumps back a version.

ISDX - My personal favorite. The module has been enhanced to include surface trims inside the style feature. Also, the dynamic updates are awesome. A designer can manipulate a freeform curve and see the surface update in real time. This is a relatively new function for Alias Studio as well. There was a problem with scale functions as related to ‘Style’ features, but that problem was quickly addressed by PTC. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire just does it better.

Images created using Wildfire, Pro/SURFACE and IDSX. Images courtesy of DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION of Chicago http://www.proetools.com

RESTYLE - Allows a firm set of robust tools for reverse engineering. It is primarily a user interface project for PTC with a GEOMAGIC engine. This tool is a must have for Pro/ENGINEER users who conduct revere se engineering.

CONNECTIVITY - By adding web browsing abilities inside a Pro/E window allows a users to connect to part suppers with the ability to drag store bought components into an assembly (and the bill of material) among other things. It is a wicked attempt to integrate CAD into a full on communication tool.

Secondly, peer to peer design conferencing which lets design teams work together more efficiently was added to Wildfire. If you have not tried this your in for a big surprise. (Like ‘net meeting’ or ‘meet now’) What actually happens is a Pro/E session is sending commands back and forth so the data transfer is light. Each user has the same database so there is a part that gets transferred first. Then once a session is set up the software allows users to share control of each others Pro/E sessions. The link uses light weight commands (basically trail file info) and uses ‘Groove Networks’ secure encryption. (Licensed Groove networks 192 Bit encrypted) This is all included in foundation of Wildfire. Set up was not difficult and takes only a few minutes. I have been told at Wildfire demos in the past that 'Peer to Peer Design Conferencing' was included in the price of foundation. It is in fact an extra $1500.00 add-on to Foundation in Wildfire.


Example of the browser inside the Pro/E window

WARP - This tool came from CDRS and I have never seen this warp tool function on another CAD package. Alias can’t even do this ‘warp’ function. PTC integrated it into its solid modeler with amazing results. You can twist, bend and taper any Solid model. The user can adjust the zone where the warping will occur. Although an amazing tool for proving form and an amazing feat of programming, it is easy to create a part that is not capable of being manufactured.

MANUFACTURING and CAM - The user interface of PTC NC packages are still in flux between 2001 and wildfire. The Wildfire demo I saw for Pro/NC and Pro/Mold design show yet again the on going effort of PTC to integrate ever aspect of the ART to PART design philosopher in their software. One thing I do find amazing is after taking a closer look at three other cam software's (GIBBS, Cam works a Solidworks partner and CIMITRON. (These other packages can't even do mill turning). While these packages are dedicated to CAM they lack capabilities that PTC provides. While it is true that these deficiencies are on the high end such as 5 axis and Mill Turning I find it discouraging to say the least that a package that is built around supplying their customers with the best possible CAM solution they fail to do so on at the high of the process. The real strength of Pro/ENGINEER is that everything is associative. Take, for example, a complex part that has 50 equally spaced features. If you have a design change that adds a 51st feature. In these other packages you have to add this feature in to the appropriate NC process and reprogram you're tool path. Pro/NC lets you simply hit regenerate and you're done. Pro/ENGINEER just updates the model. Even I the price brake down PTC has the competitors beat.

SKELETON - With Pro/ENGINEER 2001 foundation, a user in the past could not do a data share. With Wildfire foundation you can. You just can’t redefine (or in Wildfire speak - Edit Definition) a data share with foundation.


Above images were developed using shared data with the foundation version of Wildfire. Images courtesy of DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION of Chicago http://www.proetools.com

PHOTORENDERING - PTC re licensed LightWorks.
After developing interface for it and integrating it with Pro/ENGINEER it is an exceptional product. With the current release of Wildfire, you can get Photolux witch allows for more realistic materials, lights and reflections. The neatest thing about the Wildfire release is real-time rendering. Wildfire renders the view in real-time allowing a user to adjust lights and reflections in and spin and rotate in all on the screen. Photolux does not yet compare to Alias Studio or MAYA rendering abilities. I think the trade off to remain fully associative inside Pro/ENGINEER is a huge payoff.


Images developed using Photolux and Wildfire and a little photoshop. Under one hour time investment for each rendering not including modeling. Images courtesy of DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION of Chicago http://www.proetools.com

Pro/CONCEPT
Request a demo copy of Pro/CONCEPT simply so you can get a glimpse of where PTC is taking it’s rendering capabilities. The LightWorks engine allows parametric shad-ers. Take leather for example. With LightWorks there is a fractal frequency of creases to make up the leather wrinkles. With the new engine users can adjust parametrically the frequency of those creases which gives one unlimited variance on the patterns. Look for this added functionality in Wildfire in the next release.

 

Image created using the new polygonal modeling software Wildfire release
called Pro/CONCEPT for industrial designers to prove form.
Images courtesy of DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION of Chicago
http://www.proetools.com

Look for a review of Pro/CONCEPT later this month on Design-engine.com .

Speed to learn -
A large majority of the designers and engineers we teach are in the product design industry. Although long term heavy users of Pro/ENGINEER users will struggle slightly learning the newest arsenal to the Pro/ENGINEER product line, new users will pick up Wildfire more easily than in the past. The menu is much different, as the commands have been moved around and icons have been added. Like first learning the intent manager of version 20, the hi-end users will soon agree that WILDFIRE is much better for maintaining productivity. It is my suggestion to book wildfire update training even if you are able to learn fast on your own. You can save weeks and headaches.

Learning specific to Industrial Designers -
Although it is easy to learn for beginning users and industrial designers alike, learning Wildfire for the hi-end users will (once over an initial 70 hour learning curve) increase speed and productivity, giving companies a decisive edge over industry competitors.

Wildfire industrial designers specifically (who in the past were intimidated) will be eager to sit down and try their hand at complex form. ‘DESIGN ENGINE|EDUCATION‘ - web site - has developed a 56 hour, seven day workshop tailored to industrial designers with varying sill levels, from high level of surfacing skills to less sophisticated surfacing products such as Alias or Rhino called Level One ID. The class designed for product designers will cover the basics of constraint-based solid modeling and assembly modeling in the first three days, then moves straight into surface modeling. Since they already understand surface modeling basics, these industrial designers simply do it simpler and more efficiently in Wildfire.

Within my teachings, I have noticed it is easier to teach industrial designers Wildfire than past releases of Pro/ENGINEER. Most industrial designers are intimidated first by the name of the software, ‘Pro/ENGINEER’. They are also intimidated by the clutter of text-saturated pull down menus (‘text’ only menu structure of Pro/ENGINEER past releases). Ultimately, industrial designers felt the software was not for them. Only the open minded and brave overcame their prejudices, then tackled the intimidating learning curve.

Learning specific to Mechanical engineers -
Engineers by nature like to figure things out. The good ones do it with out complaint. They tend to learn fast, readily and naturally using problem solving skills. They help manufacturers make more money by doing it faster, cheaper and better. However, even the most progressive engineers tend to resist change (as well as the rest of the human race). Just plain simple, for new users Wildfire is just plain easy to learn.

Positive -
Every decade for the past 100 years has had a designer that defines the period. In the 1920’s, there was Modernism, the 60’s were known as the Space Age. The 70’s was known for hi inflation or the gas crunch. The 80’s was known as the computer revolution. The 90’s was the information age (or dot bomb - depending on which end of the decade you analyze) Wildfire is a radical change for the CAD industry. It is a product development system. A system where one can manage data… not just a tooling engineer. The first decade in this century will be known as the communication age. Wildfire is not just a CAD tool, it is a communication tool. When people sat down to look at drawings in sand, that was a communication tool.

Negative -
Humans in General don’t like change. It just means more work to learn new things. In my classes I teach that the root of happiness is just that: Learning. I try to face every challenge with a good attitude. Again, higher end users may find it difficult not to complain when learning a new software. The most experienced users had the most trouble learning the intent manager. But absolutely everyone swears by it now. This is not to imply that people who complain are narrow minded, but I find that people in general that complain about new things are weak at heart, a bit narrow minded, or are trying to look smart to their peers. It is simply too easy to complain.

I did see shootout of CAD software in CADence 'April 2003' magazine which compared Wildfire to other lower end tools. Although it received a positive review, some of the negative points brought up seemed narrow minded. For example, the author liked the fact that SolidWorks can incorporate draft in an extruded protrusion. --- Another example where the author counted menu clicks. I understand that CADence is an AutoDesk publication. But there is so much in SolidWorks and Inventor that is simply missing and impossible I find it refreshing that counting menu clicks are the only negative they found. For high end users I think articles like this are misleading and great for us Pro/E users in the long run. Companies (and consultants) that buy into the low end tools will not compete in new marketplaces. Pro/ENGINEER is incomparable as the Wildfire redesign is only a first step in this war on product development. I am excited to see what is next. I wonder how many seats Wildfire SolidWorks and Autodesk have in their development office as they play catch up? All I can say is good job PTC.

CAD Shootout-
Battle of the bands as it has been deemed by the Chicago IDSA.

The Chicago area IDSA -'Industrial Designers Society of America' has planned a four hour shootout. July 9TH, 6PM Contact Marianne Grisdale" <mgrisdale@hlb.com> for more information. IDSA is has planned to have product designers from the Chicago area all in a big room running SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER, Rhino, Alias, and maybe Ashlar Vellums 'cobalt' and Think3. It is set to take place at SRAM Corp ‘the same people who put out Grip Shift and recently bought ‘Rockshocks’. The goal will be to model something in a few hours, then change it to prove form or make some major design modification. Although the user will have more to say with regards to skills and ultimately who wins this heated debate of which software is better, I am sure there will be plenty of beer, popcorn and verbal abuse flying around the audience to make it a lot of fun. I will be driving Wildfire and I will win.

Migrate to Wildfire -
It is not a question of if, it is a question of when. Throughout the short history of Computer Aided Design, only the true leaders migrate to the newest releases right away. Major manufacturers tend to let the true leaders work out the kinks.

The smaller, leaner companies are simply able to move faster. Many of the product design firms have to move slow because their clients (major manufactures) move slow.

It’s always the case when you get a certain segment that is willing to move forward before the others. In 1993 for example, when using Pro/ENGINEER v11as PTC added the ability for ‘form’ features function across bends, a select few who designed battery contacts at major manufacturers put in the request to CAD administrators to migrate to Pro/ENGINEER v12.

Some of the books on Hi-tech marketing talk about the phenomena of ‘early adaptors’, or people who move quickly for a new idea. They talk about the early majority or the late majority. I personally have always been a part of the early majority and I am not about to move slow with this newest release of Pro/ENGINEER called Wildfire.

http://www.ptc.com/go/wildfire/get/index.htm < download wildfire here. If you are not on active maintenance and want to still download the menu mapper you can do so here as well.

Check out info on the Student Edition of Pro/E Wildfire here: you will need a login and password. Sales of it are exclusively through a 3rd party academic distributor - Journey publishing, not PTC

It costs ~$200 (it contains a lot a capabilities, including simulation) for students. There is a professional ‘Student edition for $300 (don't need to be a student).

Conclusion -
If you are an independent contractor you should wrap your brain around Wildfire to make yourself more marketable. If you are a CAD administrator realize that by migrating sooner than later you set your company or manufacture up to be the more progressive. CAD administrators can assist the learning pain by bringing in experienced training companies such as ‘DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION - web site - in Chicago. Another good idea for CAD administrators is by hiring good attitude contractors with Wildfire experience. Good attitudes might just spread like Wildfire.

My honest assessment is that Wildfire is not just taking us to the next level, but taking a couple steps past. Companies using SolidWorks will not miss what they don't have. i.e. added functionality of connectivity and this new software pushes new ground for the high end users too.

About the Author -
Bart Brejcha is the editor of Design-engine.com - web site - and runs several companies each with offices in Chicago and Munich.

DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION - web site and http://www.deepinteractive.com

With 15 years of product design experience, he has been using Pro/ENGINEER since v7 and Alias Studio since version 8.0. He is often guest speaker to industrial design and engineering schools on product design Stateside and Europe.

Special thanks to Walter Raczynski for his help.