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HVAC& Piping Industry News

EastCoast CAD/CAM Launches EC CAD 2007 AutoCAD Compatible 3D Visualization Software for Collision Checking and Coordination

EastCoast’s 3D Mechanical Drawing Software NOW 100% Compatible with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Building Systems (AutoCAD MEP) and Navis Works

Marlborough, MA (August 22, 2006) -  EastCoast CAD/CAM announces the release of  EC CAD 2007. This major release from EastCoast delivers performance, AutoCAD Compatible 3D Visualization for collision checking and coordination, new equipment catalogs and remains the only third party plug-in fully integrated in to AutoCAD MEP (AutoCAD MEP). The most visible feature enhancement in EC CAD 2007 is a new Windows 32-based customizable GUI.  To increase performance and user flexibility, the file structure and primary database for managing its piping and equipment catalogs of EC CAD have been upgraded to Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Access formats respectively.  One major benefit to this change is allowing users to share drawings, equipment and catalogs across their network, ensuring that everyone on the team is using the same data.

One of the most requested new features in EC CAD is the new 3D surface functionality that delivers comprehensive support for 3rd party collision checking, rendering, and walkthroughs. Specifically, support has been added for Navis Works, the worlds leading design review and 3D Visualization software. The new functionality in EC CAD 2007 provides users with the ability to export data to three dimensional (3D) AutoCAD surfaces. According to Dave Derocher, president and chief technical officer of EastCoast CAD/CAM, “With our new  AutoCAD 3D surfaces export our users’ EC CAD models will be readable by all industry standard programs that support AutoCAD including industry standard, Navis Works. EC CAD’s 3D objects, which are 50% less in file size than comparable solid models, are fully compatible with any program requiring AutoCAD 3D surfaces and provide noticeably improved rotational performance.  

According to, Derrick Venzor, President of Mechanical Detailing Inc., one of California’s leading design and engineering third party detailing firms, “There is nothing in the market today that matches the speed of EC CAD 2007.” “My business requires me to use many of the leading mechanical drawing packages but there is no question in any of our minds that EC CAD 2007 remains the fastest mechanical drawing program in the market, by at least 30% and it’s the easiest to use.”

Derocher states, “With EC CAD 2007, EastCoast continues with its commitment to users by offering the fastest mechanical drawing program for sheet metal fabrication and mechanical piping shops in the industry.”   EastCoast’s new user interface, utilizing the number one UI component in the Microsoft Windows component industry, called CodeJockSoftware has ensured that EC CAD 2007 remains the easiest to learn and use.  And as a result of the new networking server support users within an organization will stay current with all custom piping and equipment catalogs no matter how often they change. An additional benefit of the networking support is that custom catalogs per fitting type are now fully accessible as part of the master catalog.

With additional support added in EC CAD 2007 for AutoCAD MEP, EastCoast CAD/CAM remains the only company offering complete estimation and fabrication directly from the design platform.  According to Dave Derocher, “No other program on the market today utilizes the power and flexibility of the AutoCAD MEP drawing engine.  Some AutoCAD add-ons have been ported to AutoCAD MEP but none of them utilize the AutoCAD MEP engine.”  EC CAD 2007 for AutoCAD MEP plugs directly into AutoCAD MEP and delivers a simple, powerful, and cost effective solution for HVAC Mechanical Contractors that wish to combine the drawing power of AutoCAD MEP with the fabrication power of EC CAD.  EC CAD 2007 is now shipping.

To download EC CAD 2007, the EC CAD 2007 release notes, and other product and documentation downloads click here.

To request a hard copy or to send questions and comments click here.

About EastCoast CAD/CAM:  EastCoast CAD/CAM is the leading HVAC software vendor in the industry offering the most comprehensive set of software and hardware products for sheet metal and piping design and fabrication. EastCoast was founded over twenty-five years ago with a mission to provide its customers with the software tools needed to efficiently design and fabricate HVAC sheet metal and plumbing products. The company has thousands of users throughout North America. The company also markets and sells one of the most durable and dependable plasma cutting machines in the industry. With an ever-increasing customer base, EastCoast now has established regional sales, service and support relationships with well-respected resellers across North America. EastCoast CAD/CAM's main office is located in Marlborough, Massachusetts. For more information on EastCoast CAD/CAM, go to http://www.eccadcam.com.