More CAD/PLM magazines on the horizon?

By Rachael Dalton-Taggart

It was with great satisfaction that we saw the launch of InnovateForum in the last few weeks, headed by Lester Craft and Amy Rowell. It was with even greater satisfaction that the focus of this online publication is firmly on product innovation, PLM, CAD, design software and this issues around these areas.

The last few years have been pretty desperate for the CAD and engineering design magazines. Computer Aided Engineering magazine went 'Pouf' a few years back. CADENCE was acquired by Cadalyst. CADCAMNet and the Connectpress publications went online-only. CADD Magazine in Canada slipped silently away. All of a sudden half of our established members of the press were job hunting and the rest who remained employed were hunkered down focusing on editorial that made money. During all of this, many of us speculated on the effects on the industry, what it meant for CAD editors and journalists. Where it would end up.

After some 5-plus years of disintegration in the CAD publishing industry, it looks like there may be a new glow on the horizon. Starting with Innovate Forum, it seems that people have realized that there are some empty spaces in the market. The ever-trusty grapevine informs me that another PLM and another CAD publication may be just round the corner in the US. This is good and we hope that these new publications breathe some much-needed fresh air into the market (and hopefully some new revenue streams.)

Now I wonder when we will see a replacement for trade shows?

Do go take a look at Innovate Forum. It shows great promise and a new perspective to the industry. (www.innovateforum.com)