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(continued...) The Express version that lacks only Parasolid transmit file compatibility, photo-realistic rendering, VBA and Pro/Interlink capabilities is available as a free 31Mb download or for $15 on CD from the PTC website.
This is remarkable as in all other respects Express is a fully functional parametric features based part and assembly modeller including drafting, 2D and 3D kinematics, configurations and animation.
In fact it is an update of DesignWave that previously cost $3495.
The only cost for activation is to register for each installation machine and to reregister each six months, ostensibly to keep up to date with the latest version but also no doubt to maintain the validity of PTC's user database.
Little surprise then that Express users only have access to on-line support, including tips and techniques, troubleshooting, and answers to frequently asked questions rather than direct telephone support.
According to PTC the low cost strategy has resulted from a market perception that most modellers are now capable of generating the majority of parts and that the bigger issue is compatibility and data access.
Traditional AutoCAD users are viewed as being cost conscious and Desktop allows such 2D to 3D migrators to both experiment with a capable modeller at low cost and to join the Pro/Engineer supply chain.
This is only part of the story however as at many significant Pro/E user sites many departments outside the principle design facility have not traditionally been able to justify the cost of additional licenses and yet need access to the data for design of associated jigs and tools for instance.
Such users have helped boost the current Pro/Desktop user base to around 25,000 although this may also include a significant numbers of users of other modellers using it to convert Pro/E files to a neutral format such as STEP.
Pro/Collaborate is a Web based service hosted by PTC allowing data sharing both within organisations and across firewalls with external suppliers, manufacturing partners and customers.