MSC.Software Corp., the leading global provider of virtual product development (VPD) products including simulation software and services today announced the release of SimDesigner 2004 r3 for CATIA V5R13. SimDesigner for CATIA V5 is a suite of CATIA V5-embedded simulation tools that allow CATIA users to streamline and automate the task of building and testing virtual prototypes by simulating stress, motion, heat transfer and other physical attributes of components and assemblies. "The SimDesigner product line is really gaining momentum in 2004 from both a sales and development perspective," said Frank Perna, chairman and chief executive officer of MSC.Software. "We have seen strong sales growth, with more than 100 customers now using SimDesigner as part of their development process. In addition, we have executed against an aggressive product development schedule that has resulted in SimDesigner being able to handle simulation of a wide array of engineering disciplines, now including composites, flexible bodies and fatigue simulation. We are looking forward to the continuing growth of SimDesigner and of the CAD-embedded VPD market at large." The SimDesigner product family allows components and systems to be simulated before they are built, saving a manufacturer's time and money during the design and physical testing process. The family is comprised of Generative products and Gateway products; * SimDesigner Generative products provide the capability to simulate structural behavior in a virtual product development environment. * SimDesigner Gateway products provide access to other corporate simulation resources including in-house developed and third party applications. SimDesigner 2004 r3 for CATIA V5R13 includes four new modules specifically designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of product development organizations. These new modules are: * SimDesigner Gateway for LS-DYNA (GWL): This new module enables models to be exported to the LS-DYNA input file format and import the subsequent execution results back into SimDesigner for visualization and verification * SimDesigner Composites (SCP): This module enables engineers to create models and perform simulation studies on laminate composite structures * SimDesigner Fatigue (SFA): This module allows engineers to perform fatigue simulation with an advanced fatigue solver * SimDesigner Flex (SDF): Based upon ADAMS/Flex, this module allows flexibility of parts to be simulated and evaluated within a system or mechanism by using SimDesigner Motion