San Rafael, Calif., and New York - Autodesk Inc. and ThomasNet have entered into a strategic partnership whereby Autodesk will extend its Autodesk Design Review software to include on-demand access to ThomasNet’s in-depth product and service information. The partnership introduces to the design process a more efficient approach to collaboration, connecting specification and procurement decisions to core design processes.
Autodesk will integrate contextual search capabilities into upcoming versions of its Autodesk Design Review software, the company’s DWF-based review and collaboration tool for extended product design and project teams.
Autodesk Design Review users can search ThomasNet’s content directly from the design using Autodesk Design Review. The software can access metadata present in the published design model, as well as any part characteristics contained in the design, to connect the user with relevant content in ThomasNet’s catalog of industrial products and services. For example, designers using Autodesk Inventor can publish 3D models as DWF information with extensive detail about parts’ characteristics; share that information securely throughout the supply chain; and permit extended team members to access critical design information.