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Alibre Design Version 28: A Streamlined Update for Smarter Design

alibre design version 28

Released on June 1, 2024, the plethora of fantastic updates in Alibre Design Version 28 focus on improving everyday workflows, boosting reliability, and refining the user experience. While not a complete overhaul, this new version introduces targeted enhancements across part modelling, assemblies, drawings, and import capabilities that collectively make a big difference in daily design tasks.

Smarter Part Modelling Tools

Version 28 introduces Auto-Scaling Sketches, a powerful new feature that automatically resizes your sketch based on the first dimension you add—eliminating the need for manual scaling later on. For symmetrical parts, the new Mirror Whole Part tool allows users to reflect the entire model geometry across a plane with just one command, saving significant time.

In sketch mode, slot tools (both linear and arc) have been added for faster creation of standard slot shapes. Navigation also improves with a new View Cube in sketch mode, making 3D orientation more intuitive. The Material Favourites list has expanded from four to ten items, giving quicker access to commonly used materials.


Behind the scenes, patterning with features like chamfers and fillets has been made more reliable, especially when applied to complex geometry. Alibre has also resolved several stability issues, including bugs in draft angles, 3D dimensioning, spline editing, and more.

Assembly Workflow Enhancements

Assemblies also get attention in Version 28. Users can now customize hotkeys for common actions, like toggling reference geometry, giving more control over their workflows. A persistent issue where the “Regenerate Assembly” button became unresponsive has been resolved, along with display issues caused by special characters in part names.

Other technical fixes address obscure reference-loading errors and a crash related to unsupported appearance data during assembly transitions—making the software more stable and dependable.

Usability Refinements That Matter

Alibre has added wait cursors during long operations (like regenerations and part moves), offering better user feedback. You’ll now get prompted to save imported parts before creating drawings—avoiding accidental data loss.


The Explorer interface has been improved: right-clicking on features now takes you directly to them in long lists, and it auto-scrolls to the active element when editing. Also, explorers across design, assembly, and drawing modes now match your chosen light or dark UI theme.

Drawing Enhancements for Efficiency

Creating and managing technical drawings is now easier with the ability to duplicate entire sheets, keeping dimensions, views, and configurations intact. You can now copy and paste drawing views—including annotations—with improved undo/redo reliability.


Other drawing fixes include better handling of centrelines, hole callouts, shaded view alignment, and dimension behavioir, all of which help reduce manual rework.

Expanded File Format Support

Version 28 keeps pace with industry standards by adding import support for current versions of major CAD platforms, including:

  • SolidWorks 2024

  • Inventor 2025

  • CATIA V5-6R2024

  • Creo 10

  • NX 2306 & 2312

  • Solid Edge 2024


Additionally, core components such as the ACIS modeling kernel, DCM constraint manager, and HOOPS Exchange/Visualize have been upgraded, ensuring faster performance and better compatibility with third-party models.

Final Thoughts

Alibre Design Version 28 provides a wide range of thoughtful refinements that make the software easier, faster, and more enjoyable to use. Whether you're modelling, assembling, or creating production drawings, this update delivers meaningful improvements that support more productive and reliable design work.

 

 
 
 

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