| Revision as of 21:00, 11 March 2010 editWjemather (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers51,239 edits tagged for multiple issues per talk page← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 04:09, 3 January 2025 edit undoJerryobject (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users15,443 edits →External links: WP:NAVBOX add. | ||
| (195 intermediate revisions by 47 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Short description|3D computer graphics software}} | |||
| {{issues|date=March 2010}} | |||
| {{primary sources|date=June 2010}} | |||
| {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}} | |||
| {{Use American English|date=May 2012}} | |||
| {{Infobox software | |||
| | name = Cobalt | |||
| | logo = | |||
| | screenshot = ] | |||
| | caption = Cobalt's integral ray-tracing capabilities afford the designer detailed control of a wide variety of surface properties, including the amount of dimpling in the polished sandstone table. Shown here is a high-end espresso tamper with an integrated bubble level | |||
| | collapsible = | |||
| | author = | |||
| | developer = ] | |||
| | released = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} --> | |||
| | discontinued = | |||
| | latest release version = 11 | |||
| | latest release date = {{Start date and age|2019|02|04|df=yes/no}} | |||
| | latest preview version = 12 | |||
| | latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} --> | |||
| | programming language = | |||
| | operating system = ], ] | |||
| | platform = | |||
| | size = | |||
| | language = | |||
| | status = | |||
| | genre = ] | |||
| | license = Proprietary | |||
| | website = {{URL|http://www.ashlar.com/3d-modeling/3d-modeling-cobalt.html}} | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Cobalt''' is a ]-based ] (CAD) and ] program that runs on both ] and ] operating systems. The program combines the direct-modeling way to create and edit objects (exemplified by programs such as ]) and the highly structured, history-driven parametric way exemplified by programs like ]. A product of ], Cobalt is ]-based and history-driven with associativity and 2D equation-driven parametrics and constraints. It offers surfacing tools, ] tools, detailing, and engineering features. Cobalt includes a library of 149,000 mechanical parts.<ref name="Features">{{cite web |title=Cobalt™ 3D Modeling Feature List |url=http://www.ashlar.com/3d-modeling/3d-modeling-cobalt-features.html |publisher=ashlar.com |accessdate=May 11, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| '''Cobalt''' is a ]-based ] (CAD) and ] program that runs on both ] and ] operating systems. The program’s user interface bridges the direct-modeling way of creating objects (exemplified by programs like ]) and the highly structured, history-driven parametric way exemplified by programs like ]. It integrates ], freeform surfacing, feature-based solid modeling, photo-realistic rendering (see ]), and animation. It is a product of ], a ] of Vellum Investment Partners. Cobalt is history-driven with associativity and 2{{nbhyph}}D equation-driven parametrics and constraints. It offers surfacing tools, ] tools, detailing, and engineering features. Cobalt includes a library of 149,000 mechanical parts.<ref>Ashlar-Vellum: </ref> | |||
| Cobalt's interface, which the company named the "Vellum interface" after its eponymous flagship product, was designed in 1988 by Dr. ] (who created the ] in 1975 and went on to work at ], where the ] paradigm for ]s was invented) and Dan Fitzpatrick. The central feature of the Vellum interface is its "Drafting Assistant," which facilitates the creation and alignment of the new geometry. | |||
| Cobalt has received praise for its free-form surfaces on solid modeled objects.<ref name="CADinfo review">{{cite web |url=http://ciaux.dbm.com.au/reviews/cobalt.htm |title=Ashlar-Vellum 'Designer Elements' COBALT v4.2 - Review |author=Geoff Harrod |publisher=CADinfo.net (via ciaux.dbm.com.au) |accessdate=May 12, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | |||
| ==Overview== | |||
| The distinguishing characteristics of Cobalt are its ease of use and the quick learning curve for new users.<ref name="Heiligenstein">''MCADVision:'' “Blend of 2{{nbhyph}}D and 3{{nbhyph}}D Solid Modeling Speeds Design of New Heart Rate Monitor Watch”, by Luc Heiligenstein of </ref> Cobalt inherited its 2{{nbhyph}}D and 3{{nbhyph}}D wireframe features from the developer’s flagship “Vellum” CAD program. With Cobalt however, wireframe geometry—which doesn’t have to be planar—can be subsequently revolved or extruded relative to any plane or along a curved path to create 3{{nbhyph}}D solids. Beyond this, Cobalt also allows 3{{nbhyph}}D objects may be created directly using 3{{nbhyph}}D tools. Both modes—extruded 2{{nbhyph}}D wireframe and directly created 3{{nbhyph}}D solids—can be seamlessly mixed in the same drawing. Whereas history-based parametric solid modelers often require the designer to rigorously follow a logical progression while creating models and tend to require that the designer think ahead about the planned order of transmutations of the solid model, Cobalt has a more freeform, less structured way of modeling solids that the developer refers to as “Organic Workflow”.<ref>Ashlar-Vellum’s overview: </ref> | |||
| == Design == | |||
| This less-structured modeling environment, coupled with an integral ray-tracing capability, makes Cobalt particularly suitable for brainstorming and product development.<ref name="Heiligenstein"/> Yet the program’s history-driven modeling and its equation-driven parametrics and constraints permits designers to later edit the dimensions and locations of key features in their models without the need to laboriously redesign everything; much like changing the value of a single cell in a complex ]. | |||
| The distinguishing characteristics of Cobalt are its ease of use and the quick learning curve for new users. Cobalt inherited its 2D and 3D wire frame features from "Vellum." However, with Cobalt, wire frame geometry—which does not have to be planar—can be subsequently revolved or extruded relative to any plane or along a curved path to create 3D solids. Cobalt also allows 3D objects to be created directly using 3D tools while still retaining the designer's ability to edit those objects via history-driven parametrics and later to add further constraints. Both types of solids—extruded 2D wire frame and directly created 3D solids—can be seamlessly mixed in the same drawing. Whereas most history-based parametric solid modelers require the designer to rigorously follow a logical progression while creating models and tend to require that the designer think ahead about the planned order of transmutations of the solid model, Cobalt has a more freeform, less structured way of solid modeling that the developer refers to as "Organic Workflow".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ashlar.com/products/organic-workflow.html |title=Organic Workflow™ for 3D Modeling |publisher=ashlar.com |accessdate=May 11, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ==Drafting Assistant== | |||
| ] | |||
| Ashlar-Vellum’s patented, {{age|1988|1|1}}-year-old “Drafting Assistant” is the central component of Ashlar’s “Vellum interface”.<ref>Patent No. 5,123,087 and 5,371,845 </ref> | |||
| Cobalt's less structured modeling environment coupled with an integral ray-tracing capability makes it suitable for brainstorming and product development. The program's history-driven modeling and equation-driven parametrics and constraints permit designers to edit the dimensions and locations of key features in models without the need for major redesign—much like changing the value of a single cell in a complex ]. | |||
| The Drafting Assistant tracks the position of the designer’s cursor and looks for nearby geometry. It then automatically displays information alongside the cursor regarding geometric features to which the designer can snap. The designer can create new features at those snap points, or create construction lines to serve as guides. The Drafting Assistant is sensitive to the following geometric attributes:<ref> Ashlar-Vellum’s overview: </ref> | |||
| == Drafting Assistant == | |||
| ] | |||
| Ashlar-Vellum's patented, {{age|1988|1|1}}-year-old "Drafting Assistant" is the central component of Ashlar's "Vellum interface".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=5,123,087.PN.&OS=PN/5,123,087&RS=PN/5,123,087 |title=United States Patent 5,123,087 |date=June 16, 1992 |work=USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database |publisher=patft.uspto.gov |accessdate=May 11, 2012 |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118193742/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=5,123,087.PN.&OS=PN/5,123,087&RS=PN/5,123,087 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
| The Drafting Assistant tracks the position of the designer's cursor and looks for nearby geometry. It then automatically displays information alongside the cursor regarding nearby geometric features to which the designer can snap. The designer can create new geometry at those snap points, or create construction lines to serve as guides. The Drafting Assistant is sensitive to the following geometric attributes:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ashlar.com/products/drafting-assistant.html |title=The Drafting Assistant™ for CAD & 3D Modeling |publisher=ashlar.com |accessdate=May 11, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| * Centers | * Centers | ||
| Line 21: | Line 51: | ||
| * Intersections | * Intersections | ||
| * Midpoints | * Midpoints | ||
| * Perpendicularity | |||
| * Perpendicularities | |||
| * Quadrants | * Quadrants | ||
| * Tangents | * Tangents | ||
| * Vertexes | * Vertexes | ||
| Drafting Assistant remembers the last snaps with a weighted algorithm to intuit the designer's intentions; thus, it is easy to snap to intersections in empty 3D space. | |||
| In the animation at right, the designer first snaps to the X, Y, and Z-axis coordinates at the midpoint of the top edge and then snaps to the same spot on the leading edge, which has different X and Z-axis coordinates. He |
In the animation at right, the designer first snaps to the X-, Y-, and Z-axis coordinates at the midpoint of the top edge and then snaps to the same spot on the leading edge, which has different X- and Z-axis coordinates. He moves his cursor to a point in 3D space where there are no geometric attributes to snap to. Although there may be 3D surfaces underneath the cursor, Drafting Assistant intuits the designer's intent and offers an intersection point comprising the Y- and Z-axis coordinates of the first edge and the X-axis coordinate of the nearest edge. At this location, the designer adds a circle freehand and then specifies a diameter of 200 millimeters by typing it into the box at bottom right. Last, the designer uses the "Remove profile from solid" tool to cut through the block. Here again, Drafting Assistant enables prompt definition of the depth of the cut by snapping to the back quadrant of the intersecting hole. | ||
| The Drafting Assistant also provides a "Message line" at the top. This displays instructions appropriate for the selected tool, prompts the designer with what he should do next with any given tool, and reminds the designer of optional modes for those tools. | |||
| Cobalt's parametrics and history tracking work permit the designer to edit later the diameter and location of either circle—both of which have dependencies (holes in the block)—and the model updates accordingly. | |||
| == |
== Tool sets == | ||
| ] | |||
| Cobalt is the high-end member of a four-member family of products. The other three Ashlar-Vellum offerings are “Graphite”, “Argon”, and “Xenon”. | |||
| ] | |||
| Cobalt features the following tool sets:<ref name="Features" /> | |||
| * Graphite essentially inherited the feature-set of Ashlar’s flagship product, Vellum. It offers 2{{nbhyph}}D and 3{{nbhyph}}D wireframe drafting and equation-driven parametrics. | |||
| ; Animation tools: Cobalt features several modes for making animation, notably "Static" (where the sun and shadows move in a stationary scene), "Walk-through," and "Fly-by". Cobalt is also capable of six different levels of photorealistic rendering, from "Raytrace Preview Render " through "Auto Full Render ". Choosing less realistic modes for trial animations allows very quick rendering—even those with several hundred frames—because Cobalt fully exploits ] during rendering. The click-to-play animation (upper right) shows two industrial pushbutton switches surrounded by a virtual "photo studio" in a Cobalt model. The mirrored hemisphere enables the reader to see the back wall, floor, and ceiling lights, which all contribute to the nature of the light reflecting off the switches. Face-on images of these switches were used in the development of a touchscreen-based ] (HMI) for use in industrial manufacturing settings. To create fly-by animations, Cobalt prompts the designer to specify a path (a line or curve) for the "camera eye" to follow as well as a point at which the camera should point, and then renders the animation. A designer can specify such attributes as the angle for the camera's field of view and can turn on settings such as perspective, which gives rendered images a ]. Whether the designer is rendering a single image or a multi-frame animation, Cobalt offers broad control of lighting, including the ability to illuminate images with sunlight wherein the date, time of day, latitude, and longitude are all user-adjustable to obtain accurate shadows. | |||
| * Argon is the most affordable, offering 3{{nbhyph}}D solid modeling (but not history-based), ray tracing, and animation. | |||
| ; Surfacing: Cobalt includes freeform Class-A ] surface modeling for creating complex, aesthetic, or technical shapes. The self-running animation (lower right) demonstrates two capabilities of Cobalt: 1) how a limited number of control points govern complex NURBS surface geometry, and 2) demonstrates a fly-by animation produced by Cobalt whereby the "camera eye path" was attached to a 360-degree circle. | |||
| ; 2D/3D Wireframe: | |||
| ; Drafting: | |||
| ; PDF Presentation: | |||
| ; CAM connections: Cobalt exports topologically correct ACIS, Parasolids, and STEP files for ] (FEA) meshing. | |||
| ; Photo-realistic rendering: Often used for concept development, ] can be done in both 2D or 3D as necessary. Shapes can be drawn precisely or pushed and pulled as the designer chooses. | |||
| ; Solid modelling: Cobalt exports topologically correct ], ]s, and ] files for tool-path and ] generation using external ] (CAM) software. Alternatively ] and ] files can be used to send surface or profile data to external CAM software. | |||
| == Product family == | |||
| * Xenon is a less capable cousin of Cobalt, offering all of the 2{{nbhyph}}D and 3{{nbhyph}}D solid modeling functions of Cobalt as well as ray-trace rendering and animation. However, Xenon lacks Cobalt’s geometric and equation-driven parametrics, “Associative Assembly Tools” and the mechanical parts library, nor does it support dimensioning using ] (GD&T).<ref>Ashlar-Vellum: (product-family comparison chart)</ref> | |||
| Cobalt is the high-end member of a four-member family of products. The other three Ashlar-Vellum offerings are "Graphite", "Argon", and "Xenon": | |||
| * Graphite essentially inherited the feature-set of Ashlar's flagship product, Vellum. It offers 2D and 3D wireframe drafting and equation-driven parametrics. | |||
| ==Animation tools== | |||
| * Argon is the most affordable, offering 3D solid modeling (but not history-based), ray tracing, and animation. | |||
| ] | |||
| * Xenon is a less capable cousin of Cobalt, offering all of the 2D and 3D solid modeling functions of Cobalt as well as ray-trace rendering and animation. However, Xenon lacks Cobalt's geometric and equation-driven parametrics, "Associative Assembly Tools" and the mechanical parts library, nor does it support dimensioning using ] (GD&T).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ashlar.com/sections/products/overview/overview.html |title=Product Overview and comparison chart |publisher=ashlar.com |accessdate=May 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121121855/http://www.ashlar.com/sections/products/overview/overview.html |archive-date=January 21, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| == See also == | |||
| Cobalt features several modes for making animation, notably “Static” (where the sun and shadows move in a stationary scene), “Walk-through,” and “Fly-by”. Cobalt is also capable of six different levels of photorealistic rendering, from “Raytrace Preview Render ” <!-- NOTE TO EDITORS: THE BRACKETS ARE NOT A WIKI MARKUP GOOF -->through “Auto Full Render ”. Choosing less realistic modes for trial animations allows very quick rendering—even those with several hundred frames—because Cobalt fully exploits ] during rendering. | |||
| * ] | |||
| The animation at right shows two industrial pushbutton switches surrounded by a virtual “photo studio” in a Cobalt model. The mirrored hemisphere enables the reader to see the back wall, floor, and ceiling lights, which all contribute to the nature of the light reflecting off the switches. Face-on images of these switches were used in the development of a touchscreen-based ] (HMI) for use in industrial manufacturing settings. | |||
| To create this animation, Cobalt prompted the designer to specify an arc for the camera to follow, a point at which the camera should point, and then it rendered the animation. A designer can specify such attributes as the angle for the camera’s field of view and can turn on settings such as perspective, which gives rendered images a ]. | |||
| Whether the designer is rendering a single image or a multi-frame animation, Cobalt offers broad control of lighting, including the ability to illuminate images with sunlight wherein the date, time of day, latitude, and longitude are all user-adjustable to obtain accurate shadows. | |||
| ==Gallery== | |||
| {{commonscat|Created with Cobalt}} | |||
| <gallery> | |||
| Image:CGKilogram.jpg|Platinum-iridium definition of the kilogram. Used in ] articles throughout the world. | |||
| Image:Close-packed_spheres.jpg|Face-centered cubic molecular crystal arrangement; one of two most-compact arrangements known. | |||
| Image:Cannonball_stack_with_FCC_unit_cell.jpg|Originally to show molecular crystal structure. The gold balls highlight the distinction to hexagonal. | |||
| Image:Hexagonal_close-packed_unit_cell.jpg|Another molecular arrangement known as “hexagonal”. Used on ]. | |||
| Image:Ray-traced steel balls.jpg|An example of ray tracing. Used on ]. | |||
| Image:CG Heart rate monitor (Preview ver).jpg|Wrist-worn heart rate monitor for Sports Instruments. | |||
| Image:CG Shower head (Preview ver).jpg|Shower head concept. | |||
| Image:CG Sport watch.jpg|Sport watch for Sports Instruments. | |||
| Image:CG measuring cup.jpg|Liquid measuring cup for COPCO. | |||
| Image:Jack-in-cube solid model.gif|Geometry in ] is fully described in 3{{nbhyph}}D space; objects can be viewed from any angle. | |||
| </gallery> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] (comparative list of other CAD programs) | |||
| * ] (with a list of other major CAD programs) | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| == Notes == | |||
| <references group="Note" /> | |||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{reflist |
{{reflist}} | ||
| == External links == | |||
| {{Commons category|Created with Cobalt}} | |||
| *{{Official website|www.ashlar.com/3d-modeling/3d-modeling-cobalt.html}} | |||
| {{CAD software}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| * Ashlar-Vellum: (product overview) | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 04:09, 3 January 2025
3D computer graphics software | This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Cobalt" CAD program – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 Cobalt's integral ray-tracing capabilities afford the designer detailed control of a wide variety of surface properties, including the amount of dimpling in the polished sandstone table. Shown here is a high-end espresso tamper with an integrated bubble level | |
| Developer(s) | Ashlar-Vellum |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 11 / 4 February 2019; 5 years ago (2019-02-04) |
| Preview release | 12 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, macOS |
| Type | Computer-aided design |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www |
Cobalt is a parametric-based computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D modeling program that runs on both Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems. The program combines the direct-modeling way to create and edit objects (exemplified by programs such as SpaceClaim) and the highly structured, history-driven parametric way exemplified by programs like Pro/ENGINEER. A product of Ashlar-Vellum, Cobalt is Wireframe-based and history-driven with associativity and 2D equation-driven parametrics and constraints. It offers surfacing tools, mold design tools, detailing, and engineering features. Cobalt includes a library of 149,000 mechanical parts.
Cobalt's interface, which the company named the "Vellum interface" after its eponymous flagship product, was designed in 1988 by Dr. Martin Newell (who created the Utah teapot in 1975 and went on to work at Xerox PARC, where the WIMP paradigm for graphical user interfaces was invented) and Dan Fitzpatrick. The central feature of the Vellum interface is its "Drafting Assistant," which facilitates the creation and alignment of the new geometry.
Cobalt has received praise for its free-form surfaces on solid modeled objects.
Design
The distinguishing characteristics of Cobalt are its ease of use and the quick learning curve for new users. Cobalt inherited its 2D and 3D wire frame features from "Vellum." However, with Cobalt, wire frame geometry—which does not have to be planar—can be subsequently revolved or extruded relative to any plane or along a curved path to create 3D solids. Cobalt also allows 3D objects to be created directly using 3D tools while still retaining the designer's ability to edit those objects via history-driven parametrics and later to add further constraints. Both types of solids—extruded 2D wire frame and directly created 3D solids—can be seamlessly mixed in the same drawing. Whereas most history-based parametric solid modelers require the designer to rigorously follow a logical progression while creating models and tend to require that the designer think ahead about the planned order of transmutations of the solid model, Cobalt has a more freeform, less structured way of solid modeling that the developer refers to as "Organic Workflow".
Cobalt's less structured modeling environment coupled with an integral ray-tracing capability makes it suitable for brainstorming and product development. The program's history-driven modeling and equation-driven parametrics and constraints permit designers to edit the dimensions and locations of key features in models without the need for major redesign—much like changing the value of a single cell in a complex spreadsheet.
Drafting Assistant
Ashlar-Vellum's patented, 37-year-old "Drafting Assistant" is the central component of Ashlar's "Vellum interface".
The Drafting Assistant tracks the position of the designer's cursor and looks for nearby geometry. It then automatically displays information alongside the cursor regarding nearby geometric features to which the designer can snap. The designer can create new geometry at those snap points, or create construction lines to serve as guides. The Drafting Assistant is sensitive to the following geometric attributes:
- Centers
- Endpoints
- Intersections
- Midpoints
- Perpendicularity
- Quadrants
- Tangents
- Vertexes
Drafting Assistant remembers the last snaps with a weighted algorithm to intuit the designer's intentions; thus, it is easy to snap to intersections in empty 3D space.
In the animation at right, the designer first snaps to the X-, Y-, and Z-axis coordinates at the midpoint of the top edge and then snaps to the same spot on the leading edge, which has different X- and Z-axis coordinates. He moves his cursor to a point in 3D space where there are no geometric attributes to snap to. Although there may be 3D surfaces underneath the cursor, Drafting Assistant intuits the designer's intent and offers an intersection point comprising the Y- and Z-axis coordinates of the first edge and the X-axis coordinate of the nearest edge. At this location, the designer adds a circle freehand and then specifies a diameter of 200 millimeters by typing it into the box at bottom right. Last, the designer uses the "Remove profile from solid" tool to cut through the block. Here again, Drafting Assistant enables prompt definition of the depth of the cut by snapping to the back quadrant of the intersecting hole.
The Drafting Assistant also provides a "Message line" at the top. This displays instructions appropriate for the selected tool, prompts the designer with what he should do next with any given tool, and reminds the designer of optional modes for those tools.
Cobalt's parametrics and history tracking work permit the designer to edit later the diameter and location of either circle—both of which have dependencies (holes in the block)—and the model updates accordingly.
Tool sets
Cobalt features the following tool sets:
- Animation tools
- Cobalt features several modes for making animation, notably "Static" (where the sun and shadows move in a stationary scene), "Walk-through," and "Fly-by". Cobalt is also capable of six different levels of photorealistic rendering, from "Raytrace Preview Render " through "Auto Full Render ". Choosing less realistic modes for trial animations allows very quick rendering—even those with several hundred frames—because Cobalt fully exploits multi-core microprocessors during rendering. The click-to-play animation (upper right) shows two industrial pushbutton switches surrounded by a virtual "photo studio" in a Cobalt model. The mirrored hemisphere enables the reader to see the back wall, floor, and ceiling lights, which all contribute to the nature of the light reflecting off the switches. Face-on images of these switches were used in the development of a touchscreen-based human–machine interface (HMI) for use in industrial manufacturing settings. To create fly-by animations, Cobalt prompts the designer to specify a path (a line or curve) for the "camera eye" to follow as well as a point at which the camera should point, and then renders the animation. A designer can specify such attributes as the angle for the camera's field of view and can turn on settings such as perspective, which gives rendered images a vanishing point. Whether the designer is rendering a single image or a multi-frame animation, Cobalt offers broad control of lighting, including the ability to illuminate images with sunlight wherein the date, time of day, latitude, and longitude are all user-adjustable to obtain accurate shadows.
- Surfacing
- Cobalt includes freeform Class-A NURBS surface modeling for creating complex, aesthetic, or technical shapes. The self-running animation (lower right) demonstrates two capabilities of Cobalt: 1) how a limited number of control points govern complex NURBS surface geometry, and 2) demonstrates a fly-by animation produced by Cobalt whereby the "camera eye path" was attached to a 360-degree circle.
- 2D/3D Wireframe
- Drafting
- PDF Presentation
- CAM connections
- Cobalt exports topologically correct ACIS, Parasolids, and STEP files for finite element analysis (FEA) meshing.
- Photo-realistic rendering
- Often used for concept development, wireframe models can be done in both 2D or 3D as necessary. Shapes can be drawn precisely or pushed and pulled as the designer chooses.
- Solid modelling
- Cobalt exports topologically correct ACIS, Parasolids, and STEP files for tool-path and G‑code generation using external computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. Alternatively IGES and DXF files can be used to send surface or profile data to external CAM software.
Product family
Cobalt is the high-end member of a four-member family of products. The other three Ashlar-Vellum offerings are "Graphite", "Argon", and "Xenon":
- Graphite essentially inherited the feature-set of Ashlar's flagship product, Vellum. It offers 2D and 3D wireframe drafting and equation-driven parametrics.
- Argon is the most affordable, offering 3D solid modeling (but not history-based), ray tracing, and animation.
- Xenon is a less capable cousin of Cobalt, offering all of the 2D and 3D solid modeling functions of Cobalt as well as ray-trace rendering and animation. However, Xenon lacks Cobalt's geometric and equation-driven parametrics, "Associative Assembly Tools" and the mechanical parts library, nor does it support dimensioning using geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
See also
- 3D computer graphics software
- 3D computer graphics
- 3D modeling
- Comparison of 3D computer graphics software
- Freeform surface modelling
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
- List of computer-aided design editors
- Comparison of CAD editors for CAE
References
- ^ "Cobalt™ 3D Modeling Feature List". ashlar.com. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- Geoff Harrod. "Ashlar-Vellum 'Designer Elements' COBALT v4.2 - Review". CADinfo.net (via ciaux.dbm.com.au). Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- "Organic Workflow™ for 3D Modeling". ashlar.com. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- "United States Patent 5,123,087". USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database. patft.uspto.gov. June 16, 1992. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- "The Drafting Assistant™ for CAD & 3D Modeling". ashlar.com. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- "Product Overview and comparison chart". ashlar.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2012.