ProSTEP iViP and Siemens PLM Software to Establish JT Data Format as ISO Standard

By DE Editors

Siemens PLM Software and ProSTEP iViP, a global consortium that advances open standards, have announced they have initiated the formal process to establish the JT data format as an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard for lightweight 3D data.

“The publication of the JT File Format Reference document as a Publicly Available Specification (ISO PAS 14306) in October 2009 was the first step towards becoming an International Standard. ProSTEP iViP and Siemens PLM Software are working hand in hand to complete the process of gaining International Standard status for JT,” said Dr. Steven Vettermann of the ProSTEP iViP Association while speaking at the recent 2010 JT Open International Conference in Orlando.

Lightweight 3D data represents a subset of the more complete product data definition typically created by computer aided design (CAD)  software applications. When the lightweight format is open and widely adopted,  it can extend the reach of information to applications such as digital mockup (DMU), simulation, design in context and simplified drawings.

“JT as an open visualization standard will expand the usage of 3D data into several process areas outside engineering design, and will open a window of significant opportunities for independent software vendors to provide advanced IT solutions based on JT,” says Alfred Katzenbach, director engineering IT at Daimler and head of the VDA working group PLM. “As a result, more applications will be available to work seamlessly within open environments,  freeing the user community to be independent from the closed systems of a single vendor. This is a significant reason why the international automotive OEMs are fully committed to JT ISO standardization.”

ISO requires that new International Standards begin with the definition of a balloted New Work Item Proposal. The JT ballot was issued on Aug. 24, 2010, and, after review, has been accepted as a new item that will be added to the program of work of the committee. To support the new work effort Siemens PLM Software has published an updated JT file format specification. The JT File Format Specification version 9.5 will be brought forward through the ISO process as the new standard.

For more information, visit the ProSTEP iViP Association and Siemens PLM Software.

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