Data Exchange Formats



Data Exchange Formats

Several data exchange formats are available for SolidDesigner. The formats enable the 3D software to be integrated into product development environments, and allow the exchange of product model data between SolidDesigner and other applications. Once data is loaded into SolidDesigner, modeling tools allow the use of imported wireframe and surface data as references for the creation and modification of solid models. Imported surface data from a solid modeling system can be automatically converted to a solid model. Because SolidDesigner makes no distinction between imported and native models, all SolidDesigner modeling and flexible modification functions may be used on the data once it's converted. This is especially important for an efficient design process and concurrent engineering environment.

Data exchange formats supported by SolidDesigner include:

IGES 3D. Based on the IGES 5.1 specification, IGES 3D allows the import and export of wireframe or surface data to and from SolidDesigner. Using a flexible tuning mechanism, output data can be customized for specific target systems.

STEP. Besides the traditional exchange of geometry data, STEP permits the exchange of additional product description data such as topology, name, version and status in order to keep design information in the model. Based on the ISO standard specification, SolidDesigner STEP lets users import and export surface or solid model data and product description data to and from the SolidDesigner system.

Stereolithography (STL). The STL translator transfers SolidDesigner 3D model data to stereolithography applications. The transfer is based on the Stereolithography Interface Specification (SIS(tm)) from 3D Systems Inc., and the format used is supported by a majority of rapid prototyping applications and processes. The output conforms to the SIS format and can be either ASCII or binary.

ACIS SAT. ACIS SAT allows the transfer of 3D solid model data from SolidDesigner to complementary applications. The SolidDesigner ACIS SAT format, also referred to as the ACIS Geometry Bus, is a direct mapping of the internal data structures of the ACIS kernel. Therefore, solid model data transfer based on the ACIS SAT format enables direct data exchange between ACIS-based applications and SolidDesigner, eliminating the need for any dataconversion.

STEP, IGES and STL are available in an extra module. ACIS SAT is included in the SolidDesigner software.

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