2d 3d

Import 3D CAD Data Exchange and 3D CAD Data Repair

CAD data exchange remains a challenge for designers and engineers during the product development stage and in the data turnover to manufacturing. Among the many 3D CAD systems there is limited data transfer capabilities that retain native feature functionalities. Accordingly CAD data is routinely transferred between CAD platforms using IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) and STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) formats. While these exchange tools provide for generally good data transfer they do not transfer feature creation data and are thus inflexible for modification. While CAD publishers recognize this as a problem and have tried to address it; to date there has been poor result in translating anything but primitive geometric forms which are comprised of planar, cylindrical, revolved, and spherical surfaces. Parts that require splined curves and surfaces remain problematic to transfer from one CAD platform to another. The reason for this is that primitives are defined mathematical different from those of complex surfaces. While primitive geometries consisting of planar, cylindrical, ruled, spherical, and revolved surfaces and can be defined by unlimited discrete mathematical coordinates, those that are defined using spline surfaces require polynomial equations with interpolation to transition between defined curvature patches within the surface curvature network. The interpolation aspect of surface data translation is the basis of the popular commentary on IGES translation which is that IGES is an acronym for "I guess." http://www.cadmodels.biz/import_3d_cad_data_exchange_and_data_repair.html