WinPlace is a free 32-bit application that lets you create and place objects into an area and view the results in 3D using VRML 2.0. It gives you a rich set of tools for designing 3D object arrays that can be examined in any VRML-enabled Web browser. The objects can be nearly anything (such as office furniture, electronic components, or buildings) and can be manually created or selected from user-created libraries. Simply layer sprites on the work surface in real time using standard drawing tools: ellipse, rectangle, line, polygon, text, and freehand tools are provided, and there are several design templates you can customize. The program creates VRML code on the fly, and a built-in viewer/manipulator displays your construction progress instantly. WinPlace can also import and export design information using several formats, including the CAD-standard .dxf format, Excel spreadsheet, .bmp, .wmf, and .stl. Plus, if you're designing electronic assemblies, you'll appreciate the free capabilities to perform conduction thermal analysis and routing analysis. Reviewed on Aug 10 1998.
