3D visualization: experience the virtual product

At Open World 2017, CONTACT presented new modules for its 3D Connect multi-CAD visualization solution. One of the highlights took the form of use cases centered around the 3D PDF standard.

3D geometry is now firmly established as a medium for product information in development and production. It is the industry standard for illustrating designs (CAD) and the results of calculations (CAE). When used together with 2D drawings, it transports information on manufacture, assembly or quality assurance and acts as a source of information for technical documentation and service operations. 3D geometry allows users to explore the virtual product and immerse themselves visually (VR) in the engineering designs.

3D Connect: an overview

With 3D Connect, CONTACT provides an app that standardizes modules for a vast range of visualization and analytical tasks relating to the use of 3D models in the PLM process. In the basic version, 3D Connect converts CAD geometry from native or neutral formats and makes it available for preview functions, a range of specialist applications, and for the 3D visualization cockpit in the web browser. In this way, 3D Connect makes 3D geometry widely available and supports companies in their desire to enhance their processes with appropriate 3D geometry data.

In addition to all this, 3D Connect Extended also covers special requirements in the analytics field. The starting point is always the CONTACT Elements platform: uniform model formats in PLM specialist applications, visual reporting via the 3D Connect Cockpit and 3D PDF for collaborative applications, including outside of CIM Database PLM.
Image: The 3D Connect modules

3D Connect: an overview

With 3D Connect, CONTACT provides an app that standardizes modules for a vast range of visualization and analytical tasks relating to the use of 3D models in the PLM process. In the basic version, 3D Connect converts CAD geometry from native or neutral formats and makes it available for preview functions, a range of specialist applications, and for the 3D visualization cockpit in the web browser. In this way, 3D Connect makes 3D geometry widely available and supports companies in their desire to enhance their processes with appropriate 3D geometry data.

In addition to all this, 3D Connect Extended also covers special requirements in the analytics field. The starting point is always the CONTACT Elements platform: uniform model formats in PLM specialist applications, visual reporting via the 3D Connect Cockpit and 3D PDF for collaborative applications, including outside of CIM Database PLM.
Image: The 3D Connect modules

In this and the forthcoming editions of our newsletter, we will present the new 3D Connect modules in more detail. Today's topic is the use of 3D PDFs, for example as interactive “3D drawings” in quality assurance and production.

Conventional 3D PDF

In CAD systems, there is often a link between 3D models and drawings. In the downstream processes, the geometric model and the derived drawings tend to act as independent information media for different use cases. While 3D models, for example, support digital mock-ups (DMU), drawings and the associated BOMs are released for use in production. 3D PDFs, on the other hand, make it possible to associate 3D models with the capabilities of Office documents by fully embedding the geometry data in a PDF document.

This integration is standardized and not entirely new. A normal Acrobat PDF Reader is sufficient to display the documents, and the interaction with the geometry is presented in the context in which the document is being used. For users, the handling of the geometry is similar to their usual work with text and images. This greatly simplifies access to geometry data even without a CAD license and the corresponding operating experience.

Interactive drawings

The “3D drawing”, inspired by the 3D master, goes a step further. The 3D master integrates dimension and tolerance specifications (product manufacturing information, PMI) directly in the 3D model. 3D PDFs are also able to display this information together with the model views defined in the CAD system. Combined with the option of using document templates and form elements, it is possible to create an interactive “3D drawing” in the form of a 3D PDF, which resembles a conventional drawing by integrating the 3D model in a typical 2D drawing frame.

Even thought the concept still appears unusual for many users working in design engineering environments, this type of solution is growing in popularity. Companies are recognizing that integration with PLM processes, interfacing with CAD model management and new convenience functions offer an attractive cost-benefit relationship. To make sure that engineers and users from other areas can take full advantage of the potential optimizations, we have greatly extended the 3D PDF standard application and embedded it seamlessly in the PLM processes:

  • Automatic conversion of CAD model data using PLM services
  • Version management, including for automatically generated 3D PDFs
  • Document creation with manual interaction for specific document uses
  • Template management including the use of standardized drawing frames
  • Bidirectional interface for entering and extracting field information in the 3D PDF
  • Simple use of the templates by means of series printing functions as well as search and navigation assistance for handling PMI, geometry data and views
Potential benefits

The use of 3D PDFs with system-based generation by CIM Database PLM simplifies and speeds up collaboration both within the company and with partners. Examples of this are:

 

3D drawing with PMI
3D drawings help users in production and quality assurance because they can also track the 3D model structure, views, cross-sections, etc. associated with the PMI. To do this, they do not need a CAD system and, if necessary, can work independently of the PLM system. This also makes it possible to perform partner integration tasks and set up standard procedures based on the use of 3D PDFs. 3D Connect provides functions which, for example, make it possible to select PMI items sorted according to CAD views, thus simplifying measurement tasks during quality assurance. The PDF itself contains a drawing frame with metadata from the PLM system. The document is generated automatically if there is a change of status as well as when the component moves on from design maturity level. Serial printing makes it possible to generate additional pages in the PDF, which are then made available for production in the same way as conventional 2D drawings.
Image: 3D PDF with PMI in the drawing frame

3D drawing with PMI
3D drawings help users in production and quality assurance because they can also track the 3D model structure, views, cross-sections, etc. associated with the PMI. To do this, they do not need a CAD system and, if necessary, can work independently of the PLM system. This also makes it possible to perform partner integration tasks and set up standard procedures based on the use of 3D PDFs. 3D Connect provides functions which, for example, make it possible to select PMI items sorted according to CAD views, thus simplifying measurement tasks during quality assurance. The PDF itself contains a drawing frame with metadata from the PLM system. The document is generated automatically if there is a change of status as well as when the component moves on from design maturity level. Serial printing makes it possible to generate additional pages in the PDF, which are then made available for production in the same way as conventional 2D drawings.
Image: 3D PDF with PMI in the drawing frame

3D PDF with BOM

For technical documentation purposes, 3D PDFs are available with a printed but nevertheless interactive BOM. The BOM in the PDF and the geometric model it contains are associative, so that when a component is selected in the geometry, the corresponding item is highlighted in the BOM and vice versa. Like the geometric model itself, the data in the BOM is taken from CIM Database PLM. As a result, the data is generated automatically and consistently and the up-to-date status can be derived at all times.
Image: 3D PDF with BOM in the drawing frame

Forms with interactive functions

Thanks to the possibility of embedding form and control elements, it is possible to generate interactive forms for document-based collaborative processes. Using this function, it is possible to support, for example, collaborative change processes, interactive change notifications, error reports, fault notifications or service processes. Depending on the use case, it is also possible to enter data in the document and read this out later at the PLM system.

Validity control

When it comes to verification, release, digital signatures and archiving, 3D PDFs can again be used with the familiar methods from CONTACT Elements.

3D PDF with BOM

For technical documentation purposes, 3D PDFs are available with a printed but nevertheless interactive BOM. The BOM in the PDF and the geometric model it contains are associative, so that when a component is selected in the geometry, the corresponding item is highlighted in the BOM and vice versa. Like the geometric model itself, the data in the BOM is taken from CIM Database PLM. As a result, the data is generated automatically and consistently and the up-to-date status can be derived at all times.
Image: 3D PDF with BOM in the drawing frame

Forms with interactive functions

Thanks to the possibility of embedding form and control elements, it is possible to generate interactive forms for document-based collaborative processes. Using this function, it is possible to support, for example, collaborative change processes, interactive change notifications, error reports, fault notifications or service processes. Depending on the use case, it is also possible to enter data in the document and read this out later at the PLM system.

Validity control

When it comes to verification, release, digital signatures and archiving, 3D PDFs can again be used with the familiar methods from CONTACT Elements.

Summary

With our 3D PDF solution in 3D Connect, we support model-based engineering (MBE). This approach offers multi-CAD capability and helps companies establish standardized workflows with a high level of information quality. Automatic generation by CIM Database PLM reduces the effort involved in a wide range of potential applications. And, finally, it is much easier for product developers to hand over the models they have designed to Manufacturing, to another engineer for evaluation, or to Marketing. 

Your contact person at CONTACT: Dr. Patrick Müller, PLM Product Manager

Next topics
DMU with 3D Connect
3D Connect ViewStation Desktop

 

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