ACIS and Parasolid Modules Now Available from Open CASCADE Allow Development of Interoperable Applications

Thanks to read and write capabilities for data in the ACIS SAT format and read capabilities for data in the Parasolid XT format, developers can build Open CASCADE-based applications that interoperate with applications created using either of these development environments

Paris, February 5, 2002 - Open CASCADE announces the availability of two stand-alone modules that will enable developers to use data from ACIS Version 7 (SAT format) and from all the 63 Parasolid schemes (XT format) within the Open CASCADE development environment. Data imported from ACIS can be re-exported to the ACIS environment after enrichment with Open CASCADE. Other BRep or XDE data from Open CASCADE can also be exported to ACIS. Both the ACIS and Parasolid modules are true interfaces, which means they work independently of other external software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks.

The great advantage of these new modules is that developers will be able to build applications based on the modeling kernel of their choice, depending on their development strategy and application requirements. Applications thus developed will exchange data readily. Developers can use features from ACIS or Parasolid and Open CASCADE together in the same application. They can pick and choose from either proprietary or open-source features according to their application development needs. They will also be able to migrate an application built on ACIS or Parasolid to the Open CASCADE environment. The overall user benefit will be greater flexibility and enhanced openness.

This type of functionality is particularly interesting for software editors looking to provide broader access to their applications, as well as for industrial developers and researchers working in an environment that requires interoperability between different types of software.

Data import meets high-quality standards

Both the ACIS and Parasolid modules provide high-quality data import and use Open CASCADE's shape healing functions to ensure correct recovery of information on geometry and topology. For ACIS, read and write capabilities work at two levels:

- BRep (the boundary representation standard for 3D modeling)

- XDE (the Advanced Data Exchange module from Open CASCADE).

At the BRep level, the module treats groups of geometrical and topological data as compounds, allowing smooth import of the basic information. At the XDE level, the module treats the data groups as assemblies to enable importing additional information such as names, colors or layers. End results after import and export meet the same demanding standards of the Open CASCADE modules used for files in STEP or IGES formats.

The module of data exchange with Parasolid-XT reads XT files for all currently known versions (schemas) of XT for:

- Geometric and topological data imported in the BRep format

- With the help of the Open CASCADE XDE module, colors and names associated to the model.

ACIS and Parasolid modules can be purchased on-line for a modest investment at the Open CASCADE component store. The ACIS module is available for 3600 euros, and the Parasolid module costs 1800 euros.

About Open CASCADE Services

Open CASCADE is the leading open-source tool for 3D modeling worldwide and is used for the development of trade-specific technical and scientific applications ranging from mechanical CAD/CAM/CAE to AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) and GIS (Geographical Information Systems).

The Open CASCADE business model is based on providing specific developments for industrial customers and services to software editors and on commercializing a broad range of services around the certified Open CASCADE version. These value-added services, such as technical assistance, training and project expertise, aim to bring about the optimal implementation of the customer's development project. Open CASCADE customers include leading industrial companies, software editors and research organisms, such as Alcatel Space, BMW, Bureau V�ritas, CEA, EADS, Mitutoyo, RINA and Usinor.

The Open CASCADE Company is an independent subsidiary of EADS Matra Datavision. Open CASCADE is a registered trademark of the Open CASCADE company. 

www.opencascade.com.

About Open CASCADE Certified Version 4.0

Certified Version 4.0 of Open CASCADE includes C++ components for the modeling data structure, modeling algorithms, visualization, data exchange, an application framework, and foundation classes, as well as the automatically configured WOK development environment. WOK can also be used with non-Open CASCADE based applications. Open CASCADE now features advanced data exchange functions that broaden the definition of data supported by IGES and STEP and includes shape healing and improved surface sewing components that enhance user productivity through the automatic correction of imperfect data. Version 4.0 incorporates improvements in modeling algorithms, as well as new visualization services that allow the display and selection of two-dimensional graphic objects and provide texture mapping for views and shapes. Open CASCADE version 4.0 runs on Linux Intel 2.4, Windows NT/9x and 2000 and Sun Solaris 2.6.

 

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