Multi-Platform CAD System Now Runs on Mac OS X

By DE Editors

Graebert GmbH (Berlin, Germany) has announced that Edition 1.0 of its ARES Commander 2D/3D CAD software for the Apple Macintosh OS X platform. Edition 1.0 joins a product line-up that already includes versions of the system for Windows and Linux. The introduction of a Mac OS X version makes ARES the “first professional, multi-platform CAD solution for Mac, Windows, and Linux,” according to the company.

“The pent-up demand for a native Mac CAD solution has been overwhelming and we had thousands of users wanting to be part of our initial beta test process,” said Wilfried Graebert, CEO and founder of Graebert GmbH. “We are delighted to show everyone just how powerful CAD on the Mac can really be. ARES is the key to unlocking the CAD potential of all Macs.”

ARES for the Mac, as with the other versions of ARES, is said to be optimized for specific features and capabilities of its intended operating system, in this instance OS X. ARES for Mac reportedly takes full advantage of the ease-of-use of the Apple platform while also providing the professional-level precision, features, and performance of the CAD engine that also powers the new DraftSight software from Dassault Solidworks on the Windows platform.

ARES offers users a choice of experiencing a fully Mac-specific user interface or a more tailored user interface that matches the Windows version. Both interfaces are fully command compatible with AutoCAD. Mac-specific UI features include dockable toolbars, right-click shortcut menus,  command line input, palettes, and a ToolMatrix. ARES for the Mac supports application development through Lisp, C/C++, and the DRX API.

Compatibility with AutoCAD is broad, according to e-mail discussions between DE and Graebert representatives. Users can easily exchange files, drawings, and macros with AutoCAD, for example.

“ARES is a good alternative to AutoCAD,” says Rick Hessdorfer, Graebert’s sales manager for US and Canada. “It’s a new CAD product with a modern architecture and cross platform capabilities. It provides Macintosh users with a modern, capable CAD system, something that they haven’t had until now.”

Minimum system requirements for ARES Commander for Mac OS X are an Intel x86 processor and Mac OS X 10.5.8 or above. The company reports that Apple iPad support is under “active investigation.”

ARES Commander Edition 1.0 for Mac OS X is available immediately. The suggested price is $995. The company is offering the software at an introductory price of $495 through the end of September 2010.

For complete details on ARES Commander Edition 1.0 for Mac OS X, visit Graebert GmbH on the web.

Click for a comparison of ARES, ARES Commander Edition, and AutoCAD products.

Download a free 30-day trial of ARES Commander Edition for Mac OS X (download is immediate).

See why DE’s Editors selected ARES Commander for Mac OS X as their Pick of the Week.