CoCreate Software

CoCreate Software was a notable enterprise in the field of computer-aided design (CAD) and product lifecycle management (PLM). Founded in 1985, the company developed a range of software tools primarily for mechanical design and engineering, most famously their 3D CAD software known as CoCreate OneSpace Modeling. Their products were aimed at enabling product development teams to facilitate more flexible and collaborative workflows, enhancing the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes.

The core philosophy behind CoCreate's products was flexibility and real-time collaboration, which set them apart from many other CAD software options available at the time. This flexibility was especially beneficial for companies that demanded rapid design iterations and changes.

Key aspects of their software included:

1. Direct Modeling: Unlike traditional parametric modeling, CoCreate's direct modeling approach allowed users to directly interact with the geometry of models, making modifications easier without having to manage a complex history of previous design steps.

2. Collaborative Design: Tools designed for real-time collaboration enabled multiple team members to work on the same project synchronously, promoting more seamless and integrated design workflows.

3. Integration with PLM: CoCreate provided capabilities to integrate their design tools with broader PLM systems, ensuring that design data could flow smoothly through the entire product lifecycle.

In 2007, the company was acquired by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC). After its acquisition, CoCreate’s technology and solutions were incorporated into PTC’s broader suite of product development software, particularly their Creo suite of CAD tools which combined both parametric and direct modeling.

Although the CoCreate brand itself has been largely phased out under the PTC umbrella, its technological contributions, particularly in the realm of direct modeling and collaborative design, continue to influence modern CAD and PLM tools.