Delcam Adds New Surfacing Option to CopyCAD Reverse Engineering Software

Birmingham, UK May 6 2003 -- Delcam is to release a new version of its CopyCAD reverse engineering software that offers a unique additional surfacing method and so gives the user a more flexible and more powerful system for the conversion of digitised data into CAD models. This greater flexibility will be of particular benefit for designers in the automotive and consumer product industries where increasingly complex designs are now being used.

The key advantage of the new approach is the ability to create trimmed surfaces with any number of sides. Most other reverse engineering systems are only able to generate four-sided surfaces. The removal of this restriction means that a given area can often be represented by many fewer surfaces. This gives faster and easier creation of CAD models, with no loss of accuracy when compared to the underlying data. The use of trimmed surfaces also makes it easier to create geometry around existing features and to ensure smooth transitions between different areas of the model.

The latest version of CopyCAD will also offer new triangle model repair methods, alongside the existing options for model editing by adding or removing material, or by surface smoothing. The new curvature-based approach is able to patch over areas in the model where insufficient data has been collected and so can minimise any need to rescan the component.

Other enhancements to CopyCAD�s existing broad range of functionality include higher quality image wrapping to minimise distortion of the image and the ability to define colour regions within the model that can be used to create coloured STL files.

CopyCAD can either be used as a stand-alone reverse engineering tool or to provide a complete product development solution in combination with Delcam�s PowerSHAPE hybrid modelling software and PowerMILL machining system. The program plays a key role in Delcam�s unique Total Modelling approach to design by allowing reverse engineered features to be incorporated directly into solid or surface models as triangles, without any need to convert the triangles into surfaces.

These design elements can be modified within CopyCAD with a wide range of editing options, including morphing, with automatic blending between the modified section and the unchanged areas, offsetting to produce internal detail, and the ability to smooth, sculpt and carve triangle models interactively. The modified feature can then be re-combined with the surface or solid model of the complete part in PowerSHAPE. Even when a fully-surfaced CAD model is required after the design has been finalised, the surfacing work will only need to be done once, rather than having to be completed after every change to the model.

"By offering alternative surfacing techniques, CopyCAD gives the user the freedom to choose the most appropriate method for creating each surface, depending on the type of geometry and the quality of the digitised data," explained CopyCAD Product Manager Chris Lawrie. "This extra flexibility, together with the improved ability to repair poor quality data, is another important move forward in Delcam�s drive to provide reverse engineering systems for the real world."

www.delcam.co.uk

 

Sponsored Links

AnyDWG Offers DWG to PDF, DWG to DXF, PDF to DWG, DWG to JPG, PDF to DXF Converters

AutoDWG offers DWF to DWG, DWG to PDF , PDF to DWG, DWG to Flash Converters, DWG Viewer.

eCampus.com Get your stuff for College... Cheap! Textbooks, Greek Gear, DVD's, University Clothing, Computers and MORE!

Access Your PC from Anywhere Free Trial plus 10% Off!