1. DCI-Direct CAD Interfaces
Introducing PCDmis CAD++
DCI-Direct CAD Interfaces
Introducing Direct CAD Interfaces
Direct CAD Interfaces connect directly to your CAD system from PC-DMIS. This uses the native CAD data from various CAD systems within PC-DMIS.
DCT-Direct CAD Translators
Direct CAD Translators import CAD system models by translating the native CAD system files into PC-DMIS’ internal CAD format. he Direct CAD Translators differ from the Direct CAD Interfaces in that an installation or license of the CAD system is not required to access the data. Once the data is translated into PC-DMIS, the original file is no longer needed.
Revealed and explained.

2. Why Direct CAD Interfaces?
Quickly and accurately measuring your part programs requires the best tools.
PC-DMIS™ Version 3.0 gave you better tools than you ever had before.
Now, PC-DMIS Version 3.7 or higher offers an even more powerful enhancement unmatched by other geometric measurement packages.
Enjoy the flexibility of using PC-DMIS in conjunction with CAD systems (these include Unigraphics, CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, I-DEAS and ACIS.
Avoid the possibility of errors and limitations associated with translation of data from CAD systems into PC-DMIS' internal CAD format.
Work with PC-DMIS using CAD data native to various CAD systems.
Calculate information inside PC-DMIS using mathematical routines native to other CAD systems.
Display, and interact with a CAD system's native geometry, all the while never leaving PC-DMIS.
Wilcox Associates, Inc. (WAI) introduces Direct CAD™ Interfaces.

3. Why are Direct CAD Interfaces Important?
While directly interfacing with a CAD system requires a CAD system's license, it offers numerous benefits. These include:
An interface within PC-DMIS linked directly to the CAD.
Accurate CAD data, free from translation errors and limitations.
Reduced programming time and improved program quality.
Thanks to Direct CAD Interfaces, you can now easily and accurately use data from various CAD systems directly in PC-DMIS, saving both time and accuracy

4. What do I need for a DCI?
It depends on which CAD system you want to interface to.
DCI’s are only available on PC-DMIS V3.2 +
There are three different scenarios that will now be explained.
ACIS – DCI
UG, Ideas, Pro/E – DCI
CATIA - DCI
See supporting documentation for more technical details such as: Version support, interface files, PC specification etc.

5. ACIS - DCI Standard PC-DMIS set-up, normally XP Pro.
No extra hardware or CAD license required.
Ensure ACIS – DCI is enabled on PC-DMIS portlock.
Simply import ACIS file into PC-DMIS via a floppy disk, hard drive, CD or network drive.

6. PC-DMIS on XP PC with ACIS DCI enabled on the Portlock.
No CAD system or license required.
ACIS File on Network PC
D.C.I
PC-DMIS on XP PC with ACIS DCI enabled on the Portlock.
ACIS File on Floppy disk or CD

7. UG, Ideas, Pro/E - DCI
Requires the CAD system to be running on a Windows XP PC.
PC-DMIS must be installed on the same PC.
Ensure relevant DCI is enabled on PC-DMIS portlock.
Requires a valid CAD license to be available from the PC.
As a general rule the license must have the same modules as the license that was used to create the CAD model.
Standalone CAD licenses (dongles) may be used or floating network modules may be used.
CAD Files can be accessed from floppy drive, hard drive, CD or network drive.

8. UG, Ideas, Pro/E - DCI IGES CAD File on Network PC
Floating License on A Network PC
PC-DMIS and CAD system on XP PC with correct DCI enabled on the Portlock
IGES
Or a standalone CAD license (dongle).
IGES

9. CATIA - DCI
Requires the CAD system to be running on a UNIX system. (SGI, IBM or HP).
The CAD system requires a valid standalone or floating license.
Ensure CATIA – DCI is enabled on PC-DMIS portlock.
Requires PC-DMIS to be running on a separate Windows (NT) PC.
Requires a network connection capable of FTP commands between the two computers.
Requires two files to be copied to the CATIA system
CAD files can be accessed from any location that the CATIA system can access. (Floppy, hard drive, CD or network drive).

10. Cad System Native File PC-DMIS V3.2+
Third Party Software for translation of native file
Traditional Method
IGES, DMIS, DXF, VDAFS, STEP, XYZ.
New Method – Direct CAD interface
PC-DMIS Export
DMIS, IGES, STEP, VDAFS, DES
PC-DMIS V3.2+

11. Introducing Direct CAD Translators
The benefits of the Direct CAD Translators compared to the Direct CAD Interfaces are the following:
The benefits of the Direct CAD Translators compared to the Direct CAD Interfaces are the following:
Installation or license of CAD system not needed.
Importing the CAD file is often faster.
Once imported, the original CAD file is not needed.
Working with the model in PC-DMIS is often faster.
The disadvantages of the Direct CAD Translators compared to the Direct CAD Interfaces are the following:
Possibility of errors and limitations associated with translation of data from CAD systems into PC-DMIS’ internal CAD format.
Geometry calculations performed using PC-DMIS mathematical routines, which may not be ideally suited to original CAD system representation.

12. Supported CAD Systems for DCT
This information applies to PC-DMIS version 3.5+ and up, except where noted. The CAD systems that are currently support through a Direct CAD Translator are the following:
CATIA 4: The CATIA 4 DCT supports CATIA model and export files from version to
CATIA 5
The CATIA 5 DCT supports CATIA 5 part files (CATPart) and assembly files (CATProduct) from release 6 through release 12.
The CATIA 5 DCT is not available in PC-DMIS 3.5.
Pro/ENGINEER
The Pro/ENGINEER DCT supports Pro/ENGINEER part and assembly files from version 18 to Wildfire 2.
PC-DMIS 3.5 only supports Pro/ENGINEER part and assembly files from version 18 to version 2001.
Unigraphics
The Unigraphics DCT supports Unigraphics part and assembly files from version 15 to NX2.  Compressed files are supported.
PC-DMIS 3.5 only supports Unigraphics part and assembly files from version 15 to 18. PC-DMIS 3.5 does not support compressed Unigraphics files.
Parasolid
The Parasolid DCT supports Parasolid part and assembly files from version 11 to 16.
PC-DMIS 3.5 only supports Parasolid part and assembly files from version 11 to 14.

13. Neutral CAD Import Options
CAD Links
PC-DMIS provides several methods for transmitting CAD geometry, part programs and measurement data from and/or to CAD systems. Working with CAD data is one of PC-DMIS's strengths.
CAD geometry can be imported into, and measurement results exported from, PC-DMIS
IGES 5.3
STEP AP203 & AP214
VDAFS
DES (2/78)
XYZIJK format
PC-DMIS allows you to import the following for use in generating part programs and as a guide in program execution:
Two-dimensional wire frame
Two and one-half dimensional wire frame
Three-dimensional wire frame
B-spline curves and surface CAD models

14. The Neutral Format data transfer environment.
One of the objectives of the manufacturers, is the improvement of their productivity by the optimisation of the design-manufacturing process, namely with the numerisation of the data. The diversity of the equipment and the heterogeneity of the CADCAM software weigh heavy on the communication between systems. This difficulty may exist, not only in a company having more than one system, but also in a company with several industrial partners. The native format demanded by the principal clients leads the companies to adopt several different systems. The acquisition, maintenance and training costs contribute in a large part to the financial weight of the expenses. The availability of neutral interfaces provides an interesting way of saving money and plays a substantial economic role. One third of the data transfers in neutral format involves manual corrections of the files by the user.

15. The Neutral Format data transfer environment.
Despite the CADCAM vendors efforts to produce interfaces of good quality to neutral formats, several problems still remain when these interfaces are used in an industrial environment and namely :
Media difficulties.
Poor semantic understanding & poor standard conformity.
Operating difficulties.
Unaddressed areas of some interfaces.
Bad quality of interfaces.
Lack of overlapping areas between the interfaces of the two communicating systems.
Lack of control of the source codes

16. Third Party CAD/CAM file Translators (Low Cost Solutions)
DATAKIT founded 1994 provides a broad set of CAD/CAM Product Data Exchange.
Positioned as one of the leading developers of CAD/CAM translation softwares, DATAKIT offers Direct converters between the majority of mechanical design systems.
Datakit© also allows engineering software developers to easily integrate reading or writing capabilities of advanced 3D or 2D data into any software application that visualizes or utilizes 3D or 2D information.
Datakit© supports conversion of any type of geometry and topology, as exact solids, mock-up solids,surface models, wireframe, Component and assembly structure, features and Csg, drawings, annotation, any entity attribute, and feature dimensioning and tolerancing data.
Datakit© provides translators or libraries for the following neutral formats or Cad systems native formats:
Neutral formats : IGES, STEP,DXF/DWG, SET, VDA/FS, VRML, STL, UNISURF
Cad systems native formats: CATIA V5, CATIA V4,CADDS, UG,PRO/Engineer, SolidWorks, SolidEdge,MEDUSA, ROBCAD, PARASOLID (XMT), ACIS(SAT), Inventor, ThinkDesign, Rhinoceros.
Datakit© offers translation services and complete database migrations.