Ashlar-Vellum

Associativity & History Tree

A feature of Xenon and Cobalt, associativity increases productivity of design iterations by automatically updating all related objects when changes are made to the defining geometry. It also updates the 2D sheet views, preserving any annotations made on the sheets.

A key element of associativity is the history tree which lists features and associations of a model in the order they were created. It facilitates changes to a model because features can be selected and edited instead of portions deleted and rebuilt, as is required with programs that do not contain history. Changes are rippled through the entire model and the 2D drawing sheets using associativity.

History

Founding

Dr. Martin Newell—the creator of the “Utah teapot” in 1975—founded Ashlar, Incorporated in 1988 with Dan Fitzpatrick in Sunnyvale, California. At Xerox PARC during the 1980s, Dr. Newell researched the interaction between a computer terminal and the computer user contributing to the development of such important tools as the graphical user interface and the computer mouse. After leaving Xerox PARC, Dr. Newell realized his vision of a "heads up" CAD interface, where the user was free to focus on designing without distractions from the application. He developed the Inference Engine and patented this intuitive technology as the Drafting Assistant. The Drafting Assistant is the cornerstone of Ashlar-Vellum's unique user interface.

In 2008, Ashlar, Incorporated was acquired by Vellum Investment Partners, LLC.

Vellum

First released in 1988, Ashlar's Vellum software offered precision drafting with ease of use. In 2001 the Vellum product was rebranded as Graphite.

Vellum Solids

Originating in 1998, Vellum Solids was Ashlar's initial 3D solid and surface modeling, utilizing their unique user interface. In 2001 Vellum Solids was rebranded as Cobalt.

The Ashlar-Vellum product family features the Designer Elements including Graphite, Cobalt, Xenon and Argon.

Graphite

Graphite offers 2D and 3D wireframe drafting.

Graphite is the modern successor to Ashlar's earlier Vellum program, originally released in 1989. Introduced in 2001, Graphite competes with AutoCAD LT and VectorWorks.

Cobalt

Cobalt is Ashlar-Vellum's top-level product for 3D modeling and CAD on Mac and Windows. It integrates parametric wireframe, freeform surfacing, feature-based solid modeling and photo-realistic rendering all using the Vellum interface. Everything in Cobalt is history-driven with associativity and 2D equation-driven parametrics and constraints. It offers surfacing tools, mold design tools, detailing, and engineering features. Cobalt also includes a library of 149,000 mechanical parts.