Autodesk Inventor running in a web browser on the Frame cloud platform
At DEVELOP3D LIVE last week, Mainframe2 changed its name to Frame and unveiled the public BETA of its new end-user product that allows engineers and designers to put their CAD applications in the cloud and access them through a web browser on any device.
Frame says its cloud platform is fully compatible with any existing Windows software and can connect to any PDM or cloud storage. Even the most demanding graphics tasks run smoothly from the cloud super-computer powered by NVIDIA GRID graphics, it claims.
“Seeing SOLIDWORKS running in a browser was unbelievable,” said Jared Conway from SOLIDWORKS reseller Hawk Ridge Systems. “The cursor response was crisp and assemblies rotated smoothly even with RealView enabled. Overall, the SOLIDWORKS experience on Frame was top notch.”
Frame places a huge emphasis on ease of use and says users can install their apps in just a few clicks – something that was verified in DEVELOP3D’s hands on review last year.
The move to open up its cloud platform to end users marks a broadening of focus for the California-based company. Until now, Frame has been primarily focused on getting CAD software vendors to use its platform to deliver their apps. Siemens PLM, for example, went live a couple of weeks ago with a Solid Edge trial powered by Frame. Dr. Nikola Bozinovic, Founder and CEO of Frame, says more vendor announcements can be expected soon.
At DEVELOP3D LIVE, Bozinovic gave a great presentation on “Why CAD is the cloud is closer than you think.” He also participated in a panel discussion on the future of CAD with Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO of SolidWorks, Jon Hirschtick, founder of Onshape, Mike Payne, CEO of Kenesto and Kevin Schneider, Director Fusion 360, Autodesk.
Both videos will be posted on DEVELOP3DLIVE.com in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, if you want to try out Frame for yourself, a limited number of Frame BETA accounts are being made available to the CAD community. People interested in participating can sign up at www.fra.me
