think3 Engineers in India Conduct First in a Series of Collaborative free2Design Training Courses at Premiere Chinese University

think3 Engineers in India Conduct First in a Series of Collaborative free2Design Training Courses at Premiere Chinese University

February 01, 2007

150 Engineering Students and Teachers at Zhejiang
University Learn about Free 2D Software Capabilities
 

    CINCINNATI, Feb. 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- think3
Inc.(R), a leading supplier of product development
solutions and industrial design, recently completed its
first in a series of collaborative training sessions with
Zhejiang University in China as part of the company's
initiative to introduce free and legal use of 2D software
into emerging markets.  More than 150 engineering students
and their teachers were trained by think3 engineers based
in its Indian operations during a week-long course at
Zhejiang.  Since its introduction last October,
free2Design(TM) at http://www.free2Design.org has had more
than 20,000 downloads of its free 2D software. The
initiative also includes a rich community user site where
people can exchange ideas about product development. 

    "Our design and engineering students are learning
the fundamental techniques for product design with a tool
that they can continue to use after graduation at no cost,
which is something they haven't had access to before now.
Our teachers who manage the CAD laboratory are also
involved in the training so we are creating a multiplying
effect in terms of how many students can learn about
free2Design in the coming years," said Professor Lu
Guodong, who teaches at the School of Mechanical and Energy
Engineering at Zhejiang University. "Our plan is to
offer a new 2D training course as part of the regular
curriculum starting this spring." 

    "We are excited about how quickly our partnerships
have progressed and how eager Chinese students are to get
access to a complete 2D solution," said Eugenio Vacca,
senior product manager for free2Design at think3. "In
particular, being able to connect our experts in India with
the instructors at the university in China illustrates one
of many synergies we can build using the professional
skills available in the two fastest growing Asian
countries."
 
    About free2Design

    think3's free2Design mechanical CAD software provides
users a production-proven set of capabilities for creating
2D documentation based on think3's 2D products and services
used by thousands of small to mid sized manufacturers around
the world for the past 15 years. It is a full-featured 2D
solution with more functions than industry standards like
AutoCAD(R).  In addition, it also has import and export
DXF/DWG format capabilities that make it compatible with
AutoCAD. 

    free2Design is available in English and Chinese at
http://www.free2Design.org . Additional languages will be
added in the coming months. The software is available for
free download practically everywhere in the world. As
free2Design users become more proficient, think3 also
offers an easy and integrated upgrade to 3D, industrial
design capabilities and full PDM/PLM capabilities to
support the Product Lifecycle as a whole.

    The http://www.free2Design.org community site provides
an immediate source of information and interaction for
registered users that include:

    -- Free and immediate access to all API development
examples,
       libraries of symbols and drawing examples -- free
for
       registered users to upload or download content
    -- A variety of community-driven documents that include
getting
       started, documentation, tips and tricks, help and
frequently
       asked questions
    -- Online training that includes downloadable
self-training
       material and Web seminars 
    -- Forums that support general product and industry
discussions
    -- Industry or CAD-related news that users can
contribute to as
       well 
    -- User Opinion Surveys

    About Zhejiang University

    Under the direct administration of China's Ministry of
Education, the new Zhejiang University is a comprehensive
university with fields of study covering eleven branches of
learning, including: philosophy, literature, history,
education, science, economics, law, management,
engineering, agriculture and medicine. The university has
115 specialties for undergraduate studies, and it is
entitled to confer master's degrees in 312 programs and
doctoral degrees in 237 programs.

    About think3 Inc.

    think3 is a leading supplier of product development
solutions to mid-sized manufacturers worldwide and provides
innovative, next generation industrial design solutions for
the industrial design industry. Customers include Honda,
Mazda, Buell Motorcycles, BMW, and Alessi. Overall, the
company enables more than 5,000 manufacturers to achieve
dramatic gains in competitiveness and profitability by
optimizing their product development process. think3's
best-of-class products, services and unique business
delivery model lower manufacturers' risks and remove
barriers to successful implementation. With headquarters in
Cincinnati and offices throughout Europe, Asia and North
America, the privately held company has been leading
innovation for more than 20 years. For more information,
visit http://www.think3.com .


    For more information, please contact:

     Ann Willey
     think3 Communications
     Email:  [e-mail] 


SOURCE  think3 Inc.