Working in CATIA V5.
- Interactive Design solution for CATIA V5 users who need to work with I-DEAS Parts or Assemblies.
- Maintains associativity between the native I-DEAS files and CATIA V5
- Enables automatic update of CATIA V5 representation when I-DEAS changes are undertaken.
- Uses standard CATIA V5 "Insert Existing Component" commands to open IDEAS data into the active CATIA V5 session.
The Challenge
The traditional approach to working with I-DEAS data is to translate the I-DEAS data to CATIA V5, using either a standard such as STEP AP203 or a direct database translator. In doing so the original I-DEAS data is converted to a CATIA V5 representation. This task is either carried out by members of the design team or alternatively undertaken by dedicated translation specialists.
One downside to this approach is recognising when a design change takes place in I-DEAS and managing the process of updating the CATIA V5 representation to take into account the changes once the initial translation process is completed. The other issue is that the designer has no control over when the data is translated if it is carried out as a separate process.
The Solution
Theorem Solutions has developed an interactive CATIA V5 solution for I-DEAS data based upon the Dassault Systemes strategic XCAD technology. This enables the CATIA V5 user to interactively work with native I-DEAS parts and assemblies in an active CATIA V5 session. This is achieved by simply selecting the I-DEAS part or assembly to be inserted into CATIA V5 allowing the user to work with the I-DEAS data to perform Design Modification, Design-in-Context and Manufacturing activities.
Using the Theorem Solutions CATIA V5 Multi-CAD plug-in eliminates the gap caused by traditional data translation tools, when the source I-DEAS part is changed Multi-CAD automatically updates CATIA V5 by retaining an associative link between CATIA V5 and the original I-DEAS data.
Additional Features
- Bi-directional versions available
- Optional CGR or BRep output
- Use of CGR for DMU Applications
- Optional 3DXML output for use in 3DLive and 3DVia
Click here for more CATIA V5 'Multi-CAD' IDEAS information
