Rockwell Automation has released version 14.0 of its Arena simulation software. This latest edition includes a number of functional improvements that allows new processes and technologies to be analyzed virtually using simulation models. In addition, the new release introduces a Visual Designer tool, which enables users to build realistic 3-D animation and customized graphic dashboards in a drag-and-drop environment.
Realistic 3-D animations can be built within the application itself, or content can be imported from other modeling programs such as Google SketchUp, AutoDesk, or Blender for animated meshes. Tools run on the Microsoft .NET framework to provide common functionality with Windows applications, as well as access to Microsoft charts and graphics. The software can be purchased as a standalone application of varying capability, a custom turnkey solution, or as a package of software, training and consulting.