CAD Interoperability – Understanding Toolkits & Implementation Methods

Why CAD interoperability?

CAD Interoperability is still a problem, but it is getting better all the time. It’s possible that we don’t have any CAD interoperability concerns. If we use a single brand and version of CAD software, and don’t get CAD files from people using other systems, and don’t use the files we create in any other applications. However, CAD users receive CAD files of various types and versions from others, and use the CAD files they create for a variety of downstream processes.

CAD interoperability Industry

Perhaps because of disinterest by large CAD vendors, a rather healthy CAD interoperability industry has matured over the last few years. There are some well-known companies like Tech Soft 3D, Datakit, Spatial, and Core Technologie, that provide software toolkits to directly read and write the major CAD file formats.

CAD file formats

CAD system stores information internally in a format that is best suited for that system. When the user is done, this information is written to files on the hard drive. These proprietary formats (also known as native file format) can only be read by the specific CAD system (and version of software), and are virtually useless to other systems. 

There are also standard file formats i.e. IGES, STEP, VDA-FS, ACIS and Parasolid which are the best suitable for storing CAD geometries (and other information). 

A detailed comparison of the interoperability toolkits will be shared as a downloadable brochure.

This can be a PDF download of the presentation.

Method of CAD interoperability

There are basically two methods of transferring data from one CAD system to another. First one is direct translation and second one is using standard file format. When standard file formats are used, data should be easily transported between systems. See below comparison matrix of different toolkits with respect to standard and native file formats.

Standard formatCAD Interoperability ToolkitsHoops ExchangeSpatial 3DCT – 3D EvolutionDatakitACISRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteParasolidRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteSTEPRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteIGESRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteVDAReadRead and WriteRead and WriteRead and WriteJTRead and Write Read and WriteRead and WriteSTLRead and Write Read and WriteWriteObj   Read and WritePRCRead and Write   U3DRead and Write   3DPDF WriteWriteWriteVRMLRead and Write Read and WriteWrite

CAD native formatsCAD Interoperability ToolkitsHoops ExchangeSpatial 3DCT – 3D EvolutionDatakitAutodesk InventorReadReadRead. Write if CT-Plugin and Inventor on same machineReadAutodesk (DWG/DXF)  Read (Up to 2010 version)Read DWG/DXF 3D

Write DXFCatia V4/V5/V6Read – V4 & V5Read all versions

Write – V4 & V5Read all versions

Write – V4 & V5Read – 2D and 3D of V4,V5,V6

Write – 3D of V4 &V5SolidWorksReadReadRead. Write if CT-Plugin and SW on same machineRead – 2D & 3D

Write – 2DSolidEdgeReadRead ReadProE/CreoReadReadRead. Write if CT-Plugin and ProE on same machineReadSiemens NXReadReadRead. Write if CT-Plugin and NX on same machineRead- 2D and 3D

Write – 3DRhinoRead  ReadIdeasRead Read. Write if CT-Plugin and Ideas on same machineRead

List of customers/partners with respect to CAD Interoperability toolkits

Industry typeTech Soft SpacialDatakitCAD IMSI, Kubotek, IronCAD and SpaceClaim, Toyota Caelum, Intel Corporation and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.Rasterex, VB2S, Actify, Seemage, Onesia, OPTIS, Alibre, McNeel, Open Cascade, MaterialiseManufacturingSolidWorks, PTC, ANSYS, 3D Systems, Delcam, Mitutoyo, FARO, Yaskawa, ARAS, Lagoa and GrabCAD.OMAX, Flow, Trumpf,Pathtrace, Cimatron, CNC Software Inc and MisslerAuton, GIB, Gibbs, SescoiConstructionAutodesk, Trimble, Intergraph, Bentley, Synchro, Causeway, Carlson, Hexagon and Topcon  EDA Mentor Graphics, Zuken, Agilent, Altair, Synopsys and JRI Solutions.Agilent, Ansoft, Mentor Graphics, Zuken and Physware Mining and GeosciencesGeovia, Mintec, MineRP, Halliburton and Trimble  Metrology Zeiss, Innovmetric, and Faro TechnologiesMDTVISION, Wilcox , LMBARobotics ABB Shipbuilding SAMIN CAE CEDRAT, Vector Fields and Exa Corporation FlomericsESI, ANSYS, SharcAEC ChangSOFT, Bentley Systems and Gehry Technologies 

References

  1. HOOPS Exchange by Techsoft (http://www.techsoft3d.com/products/hoops-toolkits/hoops-exchange/)
  2. Spatial 3D InterOp by Dassault Systems (http://www.spatial.com/products/3d-interoperability)
  3. 3D Evolution by CoreTechnologie (http://www.coretechnologie.com/Conversion_Engine_3D_Evolution_PRODUCTS)
  4. CrossManager by Datakit (http://www.datakit.com/en/cross_manager.php)