© ITEDO Software 2001 From 3D CAD to Web catalogs Dieter Weidenbrück.

© ITEDO Software 2001

From 3D CAD to Web catalogsDieter Weidenbrück


Content• Generating illustrations from 3D CAD• Creation of callouts• Parts lists• Processing the data• Viewing environment


Generating illustrations from 3D CAD


Requirements for illustrations

• Graphic quality• Structural quality• File sizes


Conversion to 2D

• Using the 2D output of CAD systems• Requires additional work on the CAD side• Requires work in an illustration package after

conversion• Sample 1: Low quality, IGES not better than H

PGL• Sample 2: IGES with HLR, still substantial wor

k required

• Using the 3D output of CAD systems• Less work on the engineering side• Requires illustration package that can

manage the conversion• Sample: 3D IGES Surface model



• Combination of 3D CAD system and 2D illustration package

• Using 2D output of CAD:• Additional workload on engineers• "Explode" functionality may be used• Leads to 2D file that needs to be improved

and finalized• Finishing and hotspotting in 2D illustration

system• Limited quality



• Using 3D output of CAD:• Publishing department is more independent

from engineering• Additional views can be generated as

required• Higher graphical and structural quality• Smaller file sizes


Creation of Callouts

• Will be added in the illustration package• Hotspots are created on callouts or the

object geometry• Sample: Hotspot variations


Parts Lists• Extracted from databases• XML

<?xml version="1.0"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="ipc.xsl"?><IPCLIST IPC_THIS="assembly1.xml" IPC_FIGTITLE="Assembly"

IPC_CGMFILE="assembly1.cgm">

<IPCPART><IPC_ITEM>1</IPC_ITEM><IPC_PN>9921137</IPC_PN><IPC_DEN>Arm Assembly, cpl</IPC_DEN><IPC_REF>arm</IPC_REF><IPC_QTT>1</IPC_QTT></IPCPART>

</IPCLIST>


Parts Lists

• XSLT used to create parts list table• WebCGM links are created during

transformation


Processing the data• Automated process reads the data and

prepares the catalog• Read parts lists• Examine illustrations• Find matching pairs of callout numbers• Create graphic objects on illustration

• ID set by illustration system• Callout number becomes the "name" attribute• linkURI is built automatically from filename and object

name• Hotspot region is created

• Consistency checks• Write XML and CGM files


Viewing environment

• Frame set• Lower frame loads XML page containing

first parts list• Parts list loads CGM file into viewer

frame• No scripting except for initial loading of

CGM• XML is transformed into HTML using an

XSLT


Demo

• Data Conversion 3D to 2D• Callout handling• Files of catalog• Functionality


Conclusion

• Today's standards allow for usage of 3D CAD data in electronic parts catalogs

• COTS tools are available to handle most of the process

• Some glue is needed to automate the process

• WebCGM offers functionality for a simple web-based catalog

• Additional functionality requires scripting – and more work

© ITEDO Software 2001 From 3D CAD to Web catalogs Dieter Weidenbrück.

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Transcript of © ITEDO Software 2001 From 3D CAD to Web catalogs Dieter Weidenbrück.