N-sided Surfacing

FreeDesign unveils its new n-sided surface technology, which goes beyond NURBS and Bezier surfaces that use quadrilateral patches.The idea is to sketch some curves, and then have that converted to 3D models. Take a look at freedesign-inc.com.

This may be exciting technology for some in the CAD industry, but I worry about failed brilliance. I recall in the 1980s a graphics program that worked strictly with ellipses, because ellipses can model circles, lines, etc. Or a new CAD technology in the 1990s that manipulated every aspect of 3D models using just 6 commands. More recently, I recall a display technology that seems useful to CAD, but no CAD vendor was interested.

Part of the problem is that CAD programs today contain a lot of licensed parts -- 3D modeling, rendering, export formats, VBA, etc. Every copy sold results in multiple royalty cheques to companies like D-cubed, Spatial, and Microsoft, which means less profit for the CAD vendor.

I'd argue CAD vendors are lothe to license more new external technology. FreeDesign's best hope is to be bought-out. Which CAD vendor is looking for simplified surfacing?