CAD Translation Suite Upgraded

TransMagic Inc., a developer of CAD data translation, geometry repair and model validation applications, recently announced Release 12 of its 3D CAD translation and productivity solutions. A key feature of this release is an easy way to handle complex annotations in any 3D format for model based definition (MBD) and product manufacturing information (PMI), which, says the company, can save time and prevent errors in manufacturing and quality checking.

TransMagic R12 also sees updated CAD version support, new lightweight formats that can simplify design communication and updated support for hybrid CATIA files. Other new capabilities include enhanced technical document publishing in 3D PDF, new rendering modes and new language support.

TransMagic Release 12 gives users access to PMI sections for improved management of detailed features. Image courtesy of Dimensional Control Systems and TransMagic Inc.

The TransMagic 3D multi-CAD interoperability solution suite includes applications that automate and better CAD file translation, geometry repair, viewing, and comparison. Functionalities include CAD-to-CAD conversions, reporting and communication and batch translation. The company reports that R12’s improvements “were achieved through collaboration with major aerospace and automotive customers; this was done to streamline a broad range of detailed manual processes that rely on access to design annotations and instructions to increase productivity.”

TransMagic R12 expands MBD and PMI capabilities to support annotated section views. All annotated views are indexed for rapid access in the new PMI View Browser. Users can save PMI views to 3D PDF or Microsoft Excel formats with a single click then share these files with operations that rely on precise tolerances and work instructions, such as quality control and shop floor operations.

TransMagic says that R12’s new Tech Docs functionality is designed to facilitate the creation of 3D PDF technical documents and reports containing 3D models. With it, users can embed documents, spreadsheets and multiple CAD files in a 3D PDF file to create a complete technical data package for purposes such as quality inspection reports, archival documentation, tool usage instructions and electronic work orders.

Beginning with TransMagic Release 12, materials embedded in the native CAD file are now supported in all related material properties. Additionally, users can edit these properties. Image courtesy of TransMagic Inc.

TransMagic R12 file format support has been updated for the latest versions of major CAD solutions, including Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, Siemens NX, PTC Creo, Solid Edge and SOLIDWORKS as well as the JT and Parasolid formats. Support has been added for 3DXML and WebGL formats. With R12, users can now open hybrid CATIA files that combine true CAD geometry plus polygonal (CGR) geometry. As well, TransMagic R12 supports Xref (external referenced) files in the STEP file format.

A new Polygon Reduction Tool debuts in R12. TransMagic explains that this tool provides a quick and intuitive way to reduce the number of facets in complex CAD or polygonal models such as STL and OBJ, while retaining a high-quality polygonal mesh.

TransMagic Release 12 introduces a Polygon Reduction tool that, says the company, makes it fast and intuitive to reduce polygons for jobs where file size restrictions are common such as rapid prototyping and robotics automation. Image courtesy of TransMagic Inc.

Other enhancements in R12 include Assembly Restructuring for adding components to any assembly or subassembly, the ability to break instanced geometry into discrete parts, several new rendering modes for acquiring images to use in documentation and new support for materials embedded in native CAD files. Also beginning with R12, TransMagic will boot up in the local language set on the user’s workstation. R12 adds new Chinese and Korean language support, bringing to eight the total number of supported languages.

For more information on the TransMagic Release 12, click here.

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Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.