What's new in WorkXplore 2017.2.1
Sep 9, 2017
- New capabilities in the 2017 R2 edition of WorkXplore, are maintaining the powerful high speed CAD viewer and analyser’s long tradition of updating format support and new enhancements.
- Icons and Graphics Refurbishing:
- This WorkXplore version presents a brand-new icon style common to all VERO products.
- In addition, the right-hand side toolbar has been replaced by a quick access menu (HUD) located in the upper-left corner of the 3D view.
- This menu contains all the functionalities that were available in the toolbar that, by default, has been removed.
- PCDMIS File Import/Export:
- WorkXplore is now able to read and write CAD files of PCDMIS. This will offer it as a collaboration tool between the VISI and PCDMIS packages.
- Edgecam Part File Import:
- The reading of Edgecam models includes the solids, fixtures, stock and machine graphics from an Edgecam part file. This possibility gives Edgecam customers the ability to annotate for machine setup sheets.
- Native File Preview:
- WorkXplore has now the possibility to preview the models before their import. This could be very useful when loading big size parts or just some components of an assembly.
- When an assembly node is clicked in the WorkXplore import window, whenever available, some information about it (preview image, file path, size) is displayed.
- Picture previews are almost always available with CATIA V5 and SolidWorks but also other formats such as NX can provide a picture preview.
- 3D SpaceMouse Integration:
- 3Dconnection’s family of SpaceMouse products provides a comfortable and natural way to interact with the digital content of WorkXplore making it easier to focus on your design.
- OpenGL Mode Analysis:
- WorkXplore uses two rendering modes of the OpenGL library which have a different behaviour in terms of performance when processing big data. Clearly, these performances also depend on the computer configuration, especially the graphic card.
- Object Visibility Pre-sets:
- It is now possible to create object visibility preset with the function available in the assembly panel.
- Dynamic Section:
- The dynamic section toolbar layout has been changed to make it clearer and more compact.
- A new behavior has been introduced concerning the section filling. When a picking is done while the section is active (for example a point creation), it is not possible to pick something hidden by the section if it is drawn opaquely. Nevertheless, if the section is drawn in transparent, it is possible to pick what is visible.
- Properties/Group Properties Multiselection:
- It is now possible to select several nodes in the assembly tree to display and save their properties.
- Creation of Line Perpendicular to a Surface:
- The function is accessible from the Create Lines menu.
- Creation of Line Tangent to Curve:
- This new function allows the user to select a point on a curve and then create a line oriented from the tangent of this curve. The function is accessible from the Create Lines menu
- Curve Tangency Measure:
- This feature allows to measure the tangency difference between two curves that join on the same point.
- Plane Hole Patch Enhancements:
- The function is still available from the Create Faces toolbar.
- There are now two ways to create patches: Edge selection and Face selection.
- Translators:
- This release continues WXP’s long tradition of bringing updated format support and continued enhancements and fixes to further improve the robustness and performance of interoperability.
New in WorkXplore 2016 R1 (Aug 3, 2016)
- Re-engineered Animation Engine:
- The animation engine has been completely reviewed to make animation sequences more realistic whilst making the animation creation process much simpler. In this new version, animation creation is time-based and no longer according to the number of positions. Several movements for a part or a group of parts can be defined. These can be simple individual movements or a set of combined movements. This new process means that all movements within an assembly can be validated and, for example, allow collisions to be detected or be used in conjunction with procedural documentation to ensure correct assembly.
- Batch Mode File Conversion:
- A new, independent tool for converting very large native or standard CAD files (or a large number of files) to the PartXplore format. In previous versions, the application could not be used during the file conversion process. From now on, file processing is fully automated and is totally transparent. Users can continue working normally with the application.
- Requests for conversion can be triggered by the user or the tool itself if it has been programed to process certain files at predetermined locations when they are modified or created.
- Entity Management Improvements:
- All entities - both model and wireframe - which are present in the CAD file are shown in the assembly tree structure.
- A tree assembly search function based on entity names is now available and wildcard characters (* and ?) are also supported.
- Entity management is now much easier; they can be searched, grouped together, classified...
- Surface « patching »:
- It may occur that certain part surfaces are missing after a file has been imported and this can be detrimental when analyzing a part. The new surface patch function allows this problem to be resolved. Users can now create surfaces by defining contour curves and if these are based on existing surface edges, patched surfaces can be made to be tangent to the existing surfaces. Internal curves can also be added to give a better definition to the form of the patched surfaces.
- Numerous features and improvements:
- The wide range of new features and improvements introduced in this new version offer greater flexibility to PartXplore throughout the whole production process, including steps such as purchasing, quotations, design and marketing.
- Generating bills of Materials,
- Line thickness selection of dynamic sectioning,
- Solidworks Import,
- Link curves,
- Importing Solidworks 2D...
New in WorkXplore 4.1.2 Build 6846 (Feb 13, 2015)
- New Measurement Functions:
- The Point, Distance, Radius and Angle measurement tools have been replaced by two new functions: Measure on One Entity and Measure between Two Entities. Users no longer have to explicitly indicate the type of measurement that he wants to make. He simply has to select the entities to obtain the result. Even though the automatic mode covers a large range of user requirements, there is still the possibility of forcing a specific mode such as point or plane selections in order to eliminate any restrictions with respect to the entities used for making measurements.
- Composite Curves:
- This new type of entity, integrated into Version 4, allows several curves to be combined and merged into one single entity whilst preserving the original individual entities. The creation process is simple yet powerful at the same time and in addition to curve entities, solid and mesh edges can be used. Composite curve analysis is a source of useful information such as curve length, whether it is planar or not, the area if it is closed and planar along with details of each element which composes the curve. Composite curves can also be used as guides for dynamic sectioning and animation purposes.
- Thickness Analysis:
- The thickness analysis function can be used to highlight critical zones on mechanical parts. Values are indicated on a colour scale which can be represented by colored bands or progressive colour changes. There are three levels of precision to determine analysis rapidity and quality. Users can also obtain information about thickness at a specific point by clicking on the model.
- Improved boundary and edge analysis:
- It is possible to extract boundary and edge analysis curves. Only the displayed entities are extracted. The result can be saved in the current layer or automatically saved in a new layer. Once the function is active, users can select model edges to obtain detailed information about them. Edge colour varies according to tangency values. Tangency values can also be displayed.
- Textures:
- The Texture function now has the same behaviour as other rendering modification functions, activating the display with the texture applied to all visible objects. Objects are displayed with their previously defined texture or with a default texture. Three new parameters have also been added: entity background colour, edge display and the density of the texture representation on the part.
- Improvements in ‘Client Viewer’:
- Four major improvements have been made to the Client Viewer, amongst these are the possibility of recovering an assembly as it seen in WorkXplore 3D. Labels can be added as a new annotation function by the end-user. After having defined the text, the label is created by simply clicking in the Viewing Area. The label can be freely positioned in the Viewing Area. Two new buttons have been added to the measurements list: this allows all measurements in the list to be deleted and the text of a selected label can be modified. In the Client Viewer, anchor points used for measurements are now positioned at the extremities and mid-points of model edges.
New in WorkXplore 3.1.1 Build 5217 (Jun 12, 2013)
- Multi-project management:
- Users can now work on several projects in parallel and switch from one to another in the same environment.
- Fast, direct import of 3D CAD files originating from different CAD applications. New 3D surface and 3D mesh model processing now gives users direct access to part topology recognition and reconstruction features.
- D facetized models (Mesh, STL):
- Instantaneous part topology recognition and analysis (faces and edges) with
- selection preview. Selection and direct operations on curves, faces, points
- 3D surface or solid models:
- Easy, precise detection of edges and points along with selection preview.
- Measure, Transform and Analyze:
- WorkXPlore 3D includes a wide range of easy to use 2D and 3D measurement
- functions which are very precise thanks to the 3D topology of the parts.
- New 3D measuring tool:
- WorkXPlore 3D Version 3 features a new 3D display of dimensions extracted from processed parts.
- The display of various measurements (point coordinates, angles, distances, etc) has been extensively reviewed for greater user readability. These measurements can also be repositioned as required.
- New wizard for managing model translations:
- For users who want to reposition models in 3D space, Version 3 of WorkXplore 3D features a preview of translated models.
- Multiple translations can be handled thanks to historical translation recordings.
- Specialized analysis tools: New 3D model projection function
- This new function allows users to calculate the projected area of a model to determine, for example, raw material requirements or a machine tool’s
- minimum axis movement requirements.