PowerShape 2017 The newest version of the PowerShape modeling and reverse engineering software from Autodesk combines multiple design techniques in a single CAD program to help designers with complex designs for 3-D parts. It offers a combination of solid, surface and direct modeling and connects directly to most scanning hardware. It is available in three versions, standard, premium and ultimate. Quarterly licensing fees for the standard version start at $900, with annual and multiyear licenses also available.

What's new? Numerous upgrades. The new release includes accessibility shading to identify areas of a part that can't be machined with a three-axis machine alone; a rib capping tool that can automatically create hundreds of surfaces with a single command; improved hardware integration; and new reverse-engineering tools that offer improved fitting of surfaces into imported triangle meshes.

Benefits Ease of use, pricing flexibility and time savings.

Autodesk Inc., San Rafael, Calif., 415-507-5000, www.autodesk.com