D-Cubed Announces Releases of its 3D Component Software Solutions

By DE Editors

UGS Corp. and its D-Cubedsubsidiary (CAMBRIDGE, England) have announced new releases of four ofD-Cubed’s component software products. Version 35.0 of 3D DimensionalConstraint Manager (3D DCM), Assembly Engineering Manager (AEM),Collision Detection Manager (CDM), and Hidden Line Manager (HLM)contain new enhancements to improve function and performance.

3D DCM is a geometric constraint engine used to position parts inassemblies, sketch routes in three dimensions, modify the shapes of 3Dparts, and simulate kinematic motion in many leading CAD/CAM/CAE/PLMapplications. New enhancements specific to version 35.0 include theability to drag underdefined geometry within a model whilesimultaneously solving the applied dimensions and constraints topreserve the underlying design intent. Such operations enable users tointeractively reposition the parts in an assembly, investigate thefunction of a mechanism, and modify the configuration of a 3D part orsketch.

According to a press release, 3D DCM dragging allows combinations oftranslations and rotations to be applied to specific geometries orparts. For example, a part can be rotated around an axis or translatedacross a plane. However, previous versions of the 3D DCM could havedifficulties when the full transformation conflicted with the applieddimensions and constraints. This latest release of the 3D DCM resolvessuch conflicts, applying those elements of the transformation that areconsistent with the dimensions and constraints. The user benefits fromsignificantly more robust and intuitive dragging behavior.

Symmetry is a common element in many designs and is supported in the 3DDCM using symmetry constraints. These powerful constraints are fullyconsistent with the variational nature of the 3D DCM in that there isno sequence to the application or solving of the symmetry condition.Dimensions can be applied to either side, or across, a symmetry plane.The solving of models that contain symmetry constraints has beenimproved in this latest version. For example, the 3D DCM will morereliably ensure that an underconstrained model moves in the same wayregardless of which of a pair of symmetrically constrained geometriesis having its location modified by the user.

Collision Detection Manager (CDM) is a leading component for collisiondetection and clearance computations. The CDM is compatible with anyapplication as it is independent of any particular model format. Newenhancements include the ability to identify touching faces in additionto those that are colliding. In this release, the algorithms fordetecting touching faces have been enhanced to improve the performancewhere the application needs to distinguish between colliding faces andthose faces that are touching. There are also incremental computationsfor moving parts, specific algorithms for analytic, parametric, andfaceted geometries, and a range of sophisticated boxing testoptimisations.

The previous version of the CDM included new functionality that cancalculate the first collision along a given path without having tosample in small steps. As a result, entire linear movements of partscan be checked for collisions in a fraction of the time. Reliability isalso improved in such situations since the CDM can guarantee such apath to be collision free, which can’t be achieved with a step-wisecalculation. This release has seen enhancements to the robustness ofthese sophisticated new algorithms. Applications include fasteroff-line Coordinate Measuring Machine simulation.

D-Cubed’s AEM component is a motion simulation technology that providesdesign engineers with a more realistic and productive assemblyenvironment integrated at the core of their chosen CAD system. Newenhancements include support for massless construction entities insimulation environments.

One of the strengths of the AEM is that it enables sophisticated motionsimulations to be performed directly on the CAD parts with little or nopreparation. However, not all entities in a simulation are solid parts,one example being construction geometry. Previous releases of the AEMhave required all entities in a simulation to have non-zero massproperties even if such elements represented non-solid constructiongeometries. This requirement has been removed in the latest release,enabling more flexible use of construction geometries in assemblies andmotion simulation. The latest release of Solid Edge, Version 19, usesthis new AEM capability to support enhancements to its full motionsimulation environment.

This release allows for a more flexible integration with the CollisionDetection Manager so the CDM can identify unintentional collisions inmechanisms and assemblies with moving parts. It permits parts and facesto be added to the CDM, but not the AEM. This enhancement enables theAEM to simulate the full range of contact based motion withoutinterruption by collisions that are not directly relevant to suchmotion while using the CDM to check for the unwanted collisions.Previously, all parts and faces in the CDM also had to be in the AEM.

Finally, the Hidden Line Manager—also compatible with any applicationbecause it is independent of any particular model format—is a widelydeployed component for hidden line computation. The new releaseprovides improved support for tolerant models.

Many modelers produce accurate models, but not all. Even when they do,processes such as translation from one format to another can lead to aloss of model accuracy. In a market with an ever-increasing demand forinteroperability between PLM systems, such imperfect geometric data ismore and more common. In order to support these models, the HLM employsa range of sophisticated algorithms designed to give reliable resultson inaccurate geometry.

The process of developing such tolerant algorithms is continuous, asthe software design issues are complex. The latest release of the HLMincludes enhancements to those algorithms that handle models whereedges only loosely lie on faces and vertices only loosely lie on edges.This has improved the robustness of hidden line computations on suchmodels.

Detailed descriptions of the enhancements are available by clicking here.

Sources: Press materials received from the company. Additional information gleaned from the company’s website.