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CAD Exchanger Changelog

What's new in CAD Exchanger 3.22.0 Build 17910

Sep 26, 2023
  • Docker images with C++, C#, Java, and Python environments;
  • Autodesk Inventor 2022 import;
  • Support of mechanical, product, and custom properties from CATIA.
  • 3D PDF: fixed a bug with the incorrect activation of some CAD Exchanger Batch licenses;
  • DXF: fixed an issue with incorrect import of IndexedTriangleSet's data on some models;
  • DWG: fixed a problem with missed elements in some closed 2D curves and an issue in the import of the drawing's dimensions;
  • glTF: added support of Draco compression for import and export and export graphical PMI as polylines;
  • NX: added support for missing external references recording and fixed crash for some models, for which LODs had not been loaded;
  • SOLIDWORKS: fixed a crash during transfer caused by incorrect import of properties, a crash during import of some models 2020 version and above, and fixed a regression in import of some models with configurations;
  • STEP: improved export of models with duplicated bodies.

New in CAD Exchanger 3.20.0 Build 17379 (Jun 28, 2023)

  • BIM viewer mode in Lab;
  • Updated persistence format lineup for our data models;
  • 2D drawings visualization in Web Toolkit;
  • Support for arm64 architecture on macOS;
  • BIM formats improvements;
  • Improved rendering performance (feature from 3.19.0).

New in CAD Exchanger 3.19.0 Build 17176 (May 22, 2023)

  • This May, right on schedule, we introduce the new CAD Exchanger release with a number of major updates:
  • New Autodesk Revit format
  • BIM-specific data model
  • CAD Exchanger native format CDXBIM
  • New supported format Autodesk Revit (versions 2021, 2022):
  • For developers of BIM software, we already supported IFC (versions 2x3 and 4), DWG, DXF, and now extend our portfolio with Autodesk Revit file format. Revit is one of the most popular BIM formats, and we are glad to present its support in CAD Exchanger SDK.
  • An RVT file is a proprietary Autodesk Revit format with the .rvt file extension used in the Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) segment. The stored data can include all the architectural details associated with a building design project: basic elements for a construction, building components, families, and special elements such as openings.
  • At this stage, we cover a few versions of the mainstream file format released in the last couple of years (2021, 2022). Currently, the import of RVT files is available only in SDK, but support in Lab will appear in a future version.
  • BIM-specific data model:
  • Since 3.19.0, software developers can use our BIM-specific data model to get different properties and saved structure, edit the model or create it from scratch. It is a more extended version of a common data model tailored specifically for BIM workflows. Being inspired by the IFC data structure, it can effectively store and translate materials, colors, patterns, and other non-geometrical properties.
  • Each element of the BIM model has a fixed class field, which carries the associativity with the Revit families. This allows storing, reusing, and iterating upon families with the help of CAD Exchanger SDK. For maximum performance, only used elements of the families are being translated, leaving unused family elements unsaved.
  • Switching from the BIM data model to the traditional CAD data model is possible but will end up in losing BIM-specific information.
  • CAD Exchanger native format CDXBIM:
  • The CAD Exchanger team developed this format for the persistent storage of BIM models. Now you can save them and then restore the information without resorting to conversion from IFC. Read the IFC or Autodesk Revit file, get the BIM model, make changes if necessary, and work with our format inside the CAD Exchanger SDK or use the CDXBIM format for faster loading.
  • There are also some minor changes in Web Toolkit, CAD Exchanger Lab and our supported formats: DWG, FBX, glTF, Rhino, and SOLIDWORKS. Please check out a full list of new features and bug fixes in the CHANGES.txt file.

New in CAD Exchanger 3.167.0 Build 16504 (Feb 28, 2023)

  • SOLIDWORKS v2022 and PMI:
  • In CAD Exchanger 3.16 we added support of the latest SOLIDWORKS 2022. Thus, covering all versions of mainstream file format released in the last 18 years (2004 to 2021).
  • We also enabled graphical PMI in SOLIDWORKS (v2015-2022), which means that now users can view feature control frames with dimensions, tolerances, and datums. The information is stored and presented in the form of outlines, text, or triangulation.
  • Use CAD Exchanger Lab to quickly view PMI stored in SOLIDWORKS files.
  • Added PMI support to NX and enhanced its performance:
  • The latest improvements will allow you to load large assemblies faster. The boost has been achieved due to the rework of the parser NX. This increased the speed and stability of import operations.
  • CAD Exchanger 3.16 brings graphical PMI support to NX, enabling users to view dimensions, tolerances, and datums.
  • Integration with C3D Toolkit:
  • The end of the year is rich in significant partnerships. With 3.16, we roll out a connection with C3D Toolkit.
  • C3D Toolkit is a product suite that powers CAD/CAM/CAE applications. CAD developers can benefit from modeling and visualization products, while CAE developers will note its C3D Solver. Visit C3D Labs to find out more about the whole product offering.
  • The current scope of the integration includes the conversion of geometry, product structure, and colors into the C3D's representation, enriching the latter with the 30+ CAD formats supported by CAD Exchanger SDK.
  • Added CDXFB Converter Tool:
  • We decided to focus on simplifying the work with Web Toolkit. Previously you needed to set up the backend and compile the project to convert supported formats to CDXFB, which could be time-consuming. To save your time and effort, we’ve developed a converter tool. It eliminates the use of SDK, so you can immediately start assessing Web Toolkit.
  • From now on, along with SDK, you will receive a command-line application to help you prepare files for WTK. There are 3 steps to start working: run the tool, show a path to the file you want to import (multiple allowed) and choose an output folder where the .cdxfb model should be exported. After that, your 3D models will be ready for Web Toolkit.Added CDXFB Converter Tool
  • The tool is currently available in version 3.16.0 for Windows (.exe file) and Linux (binary file). We have plans for the evolution of the product, and the following releases will expand the list of supported operating systems.
  • Web Toolkit model display time and PMI associations:
  • We continue to improve the performance of our web visualization and, in this release, were able to reduce the display time by 3x.
  • The ability to load files quickly in a browser is essential to satisfy use cases enabled by web applications. Typically, the end-users of 3D web apps are limited in hardware capabilities. They are either assessing data from office laptops or mobile devices. Therefore, it's important to make sure that the data is as compressed as possible, and loaded and displayed quickly in conditions of poor internet connection.
  • Also, the latest WebToolkit supports PMI annotation-shape associations, which means that developers now can retrieve the PMI elements by B-rep entity and vice versa. The 'pmiviewer' example now represents it: when the PMI element is selected, associated B-Rep sub-shapes are highlighted.
  • Improvements in CAD Exchanger Lab:
  • Massive files in Lab are now displayed smoother. We fixed short freezing, that sometimes occurred on the first import of huge 3D files. This also eliminated lag during the "Show only" operation, called from 3D view or product structure.
  • We also added a progress bar for loading a new representation. While being almost instant on smaller models, it's helpful to show the ongoing loading of heavy-weight representations.
  • Finally, anti-aliasing is now enabled and viewcube is disabled by default in the export to PNG. This will create a more appealing image without deceleration of the general UI.
  • Overall, we are executing our mission to significantly improve the user experience while working with huge models.

New in CAD Exchanger 3.12.0 Build 15857 (Oct 4, 2022)

  • IFC4 import with CAD Exchanger
  • Improved import of CAD models properties
  • Video tutorials and sample models in CAD Exchanger viewer and converter
  • Enhanced scope and algorithm of CAD Exchanger SDK
  • Unity plugin improvements

New in CAD Exchanger 3.11.0 Build 15546 (Jul 6, 2022)

  • New user interface — for visual and functional consistency
  • Customer Corner — for one-stop access to user’s licenses
  • 2D drawing export to DXF — for fuller 2D geometry support with CAD Exchanger SDK

New in CAD Exchanger 3.10.2 Build 15265 (Dec 30, 2021)

  • Here are the highlights of CAD Exchanger 3.10.2:
  • U3D export
  • 3D PDF export
  • Improved revolutionary surfaces support in Parasolid
  • For software vendors and developers
  • Python API
  • Microsoft Visual Studio support
  • 2D drawings support
  • 3D PDF is a PDF file with an embedded 3D model, while the two standards for integrating 3D geometry into the PDF are U3D and PRC. All three formats became readable for CAD Exchanger users in 2020.Now CAD Exchanger enables export to U3D and 3D PDF, including polygonal representation, product structure, colors, and names. This feature allows sharing comprehensive geometrical representations instead of 2D views and collaborating on them without having a CAD package installed.
  • CATIA format has been supported by CAD Exchanger since version 3.9.0, but until now, the scope of the reader was limited to B-Rep geometry. CAD Exchanger 3.10.2 adds the import of polygonal representations of .catpart and .catproduct files, which can be further used either for visualization or computation.
  • What’s more, colors import was improved to keep the graphical representation of the model identical to its original version in the CATIA package.
  • With every new CAD Exchanger release, we systematically improve entities mapping after the import. It is particularly relevant considering varying requirements for surfaces definition within different CAD formats.
  • Having enhanced the healing of IGES and Parasolid spherical faces in the latest version, CAD Exchanger has now refined the definition of surfaces of revolution for Parasolid, JT, NX, and SOLIDWORKS formats. This type of surface is created by rotating a curve around a rotation axis.
  • CAD Exchanger SDK enhancements:
  • Python API release:
  • Python is widely used by data analysts and full-stack developers for both small and large projects. Its CAD-oriented application areas include FEA, 3D modeling, and animation.
  • CAD Exchanger SDK is written in C++ and uses public APIs to support other languages, which were, until recently, C# and Java. However, we also received requests for Python and, from version 3.10.2 onwards, CAD Exchanger provides bindings to it. Comprehensive documentation and examples will help to streamline the integration into Python apps.
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 support:
  • CAD Exchanger SDK is available on Windows, Linux, and macOS, supporting several configurations, containing the most recent versions of a compiler, toolchain, third-party library, etc. In version 3.10.2, the support of the Microsoft Visual C++ compiler was expanded by adding Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 (vc14.2) to the scope.
  • A 3D model is now a comprehensive data storage media. But there are still situations within the product lifecycle when one needs only some critical information. In this case, a concise 2D drawing is better than anything. Collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers requires fast access to the key dimensions and tolerances, electrical engineers can’t do without 2D schematic circuit diagrams, for the assembly shop staff, the 2D drawing is the clearest source of information on important inspection points.
  • That’s why CAD Exchanger starts to introduce 2D drawing support. The first step has been to provide the import of 2D design data from DWG files. And thanks to a new API, software vendors can let their applications read 2D drawings and extract their content.
  • Miscellaneous:
  • CAD Exchanger 3.10.2 enables broader CAD formats versions coverage adding DWG 2007 and Autodesk Inventor 2022 to its scope.
  • Since mechanical CAD and 3D design systems differ in the up-axis choice, CAD Exchanger allows users to configure whether Y or Z is up when exporting to Collada, FBX, GLTF, OBJ. With the 3.10.2 version, USD format was added to this list enabling control of the view orientation.
  • Other CAD Exchanger improvements include better responsiveness for large models when displaying the model, canceling the operations, and applying the structure filter.

New in CAD Exchanger 3.10.0 Build 14619 (Sep 20, 2021)

  • 3D XML (CATIA V6) import
  • Solid Edge import
  • Mesh colors import in SOLIDWORKS
  • Broader versions coverage for CATIA, JT, Parasolid, SOLIDWORKS
  • Y-axis upward orientation in Collada, FBX, GLTF, OBJ
  • Read and write PMI options for STEP and JT

New in CAD Exchanger 3.9.2 Build 14270 (Apr 29, 2021)

  • glTF import
  • PLY import
  • Mesh stitching during STL import
  • Unity LOD generation
  • CAD Exchanger GUI. Floating license
  • CAD Exchanger SDK enhancements
  • STEP tessellated geometry