PartMaker 8.5 is the latest version of the company’s CAD/CAM software for CNC mills, lathes, wire EDMs, turn-mill centers and Swiss-type lathes. The release marks the introduction of the PartMaker Documentation Wizard (PDW), an optional module that allows users to create, preview and print documents with multiple views. In addition, the software allows users to create dimensioned drawings easily and intuitively, the company says. Horizontal, vertical, linear, circular and angular dimensions can be created separately in every face window by picking geometric entities. “Flexible” Dimension combines horizontal, vertical and linear dimensions in one icon to save time. Free-floating notes and notes with leaders are also supported.

General system improvements include the ability to link CAD to CAM in order to automatically update programmed features when a geometry change is made. In addition, toolpath profiles can be modified after they are created, and recently used files can be automatically accessed from within the software. The new version also supports file imports from SolidWorks 2008 and Autodesk Inventor 2008.