TransMagic
Encyclopedia
TransMagic is a commercial computer program
that converts computer-aided design
(CAD) files from one native file format
to another. During the translation process, TransMagic performs “geometry mapping”, mapping from one CAD kernel to another. During the conversion, TransMagic avoids what are known as “stitching errors” by repairing geometry via techniques such as correcting slightly overlapping or misaligned surfaces, removing duplicate control points, and duplicate vertices.
, Cobalt
, Form-Z
, Pro/ENGINEER
, and SolidWorks
. With rare exceptions, each program saves data files (2D and 3D drawings and 3D solid models
) in its own native file format. Since major CAD programs are expensive—several thousand dollars or more—and require great skill and time to master, it is common for individuals and companies to own just one type of program. The existence of many different file types presents no problems when engineers and designers share files within an organization that has standardized upon a common CAD program. However, file-transfer problems can arise when files must be shared with outside individuals who are using a different type of CAD program.
The typical work-around when sharing files with an outside organization is to export the file using two open-file-type standards: IGES
, which was released in 1980 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(then known as the National Bureau of Standards), and STEP
, released in 1984/85. The proprietary file format DXF
is also a common file format for exchange.
When a file is exported by one CAD program into an intermediate file format and opened in another CAD program, it is not unusual for translation errors to occur. This inability to reliably transfer files between disparate programs is especially problematic with 3D solid modeling software, because of behind-the-scenes technical complexities that arise whenever complex surfaces abut or blend into each other; surfaces no longer align or some features do not translate due to the way CAD programs employ different approaches to handling certain object classes. To minimize translation errors, TransMagic typically—but not always—translates directly from one native CAD kernel to another. Still, “stitching errors” (gaps and overlaps) can occur while trying to import the file and reinterpret geometry. TransMagic’s “Auto Repair Wizard” corrects these flaws while translating the file.
TransMagic is available as a stand-alone program. It is also available as a plug-in for many CAD programs so that the Open and Save dialog boxes are extended with TransMagic’s functionality.
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
that converts computer-aided design
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
(CAD) files from one native file format
File format
A file format is a particular way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file.Since a disk drive, or indeed any computer storage, can store only bits, the computer must have some way of converting information to 0s and 1s and vice-versa. There are different kinds of formats for...
to another. During the translation process, TransMagic performs “geometry mapping”, mapping from one CAD kernel to another. During the conversion, TransMagic avoids what are known as “stitching errors” by repairing geometry via techniques such as correcting slightly overlapping or misaligned surfaces, removing duplicate control points, and duplicate vertices.
Overview
A large number of CAD programs are on the market, among them Autodesk InventorAutodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products...
, Cobalt
Cobalt (CAD program)
Cobalt is a parametric-based computer-aided design and 3D modeling program that runs on both Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems...
, Form-Z
Form-Z
form·Z is a computer-aided design tool developed by AutoDesSys for all design fields that deal with the articulation of 3D spaces and forms and which is used for 3D modeling, drafting, animation and rendering.-Overview:...
, Pro/ENGINEER
Pro/ENGINEER
Creo Elements/Pro, a product formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER is a parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation . It was the first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software...
, and SolidWorks
SolidWorks
SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
. With rare exceptions, each program saves data files (2D and 3D drawings and 3D solid models
3D modeling
In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model...
) in its own native file format. Since major CAD programs are expensive—several thousand dollars or more—and require great skill and time to master, it is common for individuals and companies to own just one type of program. The existence of many different file types presents no problems when engineers and designers share files within an organization that has standardized upon a common CAD program. However, file-transfer problems can arise when files must be shared with outside individuals who are using a different type of CAD program.
The typical work-around when sharing files with an outside organization is to export the file using two open-file-type standards: IGES
IGES
The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification is a file format which defines a vendor neutral data format that allows the digital exchange of information among Computer-aided design systems....
, which was released in 1980 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology , known between 1901 and 1988 as the National Bureau of Standards , is a measurement standards laboratory, otherwise known as a National Metrological Institute , which is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce...
(then known as the National Bureau of Standards), and STEP
ISO 10303
ISO 10303 is an ISO standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product manufacturing information. Its official title is: Automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange...
, released in 1984/85. The proprietary file format DXF
AutoCAD DXF
AutoCAD DXF is a CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs....
is also a common file format for exchange.
When a file is exported by one CAD program into an intermediate file format and opened in another CAD program, it is not unusual for translation errors to occur. This inability to reliably transfer files between disparate programs is especially problematic with 3D solid modeling software, because of behind-the-scenes technical complexities that arise whenever complex surfaces abut or blend into each other; surfaces no longer align or some features do not translate due to the way CAD programs employ different approaches to handling certain object classes. To minimize translation errors, TransMagic typically—but not always—translates directly from one native CAD kernel to another. Still, “stitching errors” (gaps and overlaps) can occur while trying to import the file and reinterpret geometry. TransMagic’s “Auto Repair Wizard” corrects these flaws while translating the file.
TransMagic is available as a stand-alone program. It is also available as a plug-in for many CAD programs so that the Open and Save dialog boxes are extended with TransMagic’s functionality.
Supported file types
As of September 2010, TransMagic reads and writes to the following file types:| Supported read formats | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Extension | |||
| CATIA CATIA CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes... V4 |
*.model, *.exp, *.dat, *.session, sequential files | |||
| CATIA V5 | *.CATpart, *.CATproduct, *.cgr | |||
| Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... |
*.ipt, *.iam | |||
| Pro/ENGINEER Pro/ENGINEER Creo Elements/Pro, a product formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER is a parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation . It was the first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software... |
*.prt, *.asm | |||
| SolidWorks SolidWorks SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide... |
*.sldasm, *.sldprt | |||
| NX (Unigraphics) NX (Unigraphics) NX, also known as NX Unigraphics or usually just U-G, is an advanced CAD/CAM/CAE software package developed by Siemens PLM Software.It is used, among other tasks, for:* Design... |
*.prt | |||
| ACIS ACIS The 3D ACIS Modeler is a 3D modelling kernel owned by Spatial Corporation . ACIS is used by many software developers in industries such as computer-aided design , Computer-aided manufacturing , Computer-aided engineering , Architecture, engineering and construction , Coordinate-measuring machine... |
*.sat, *.sab, *.asf, *.asat, *asab | |||
| JT JT (visualization format) JT is a 3D data format developed by and is used for product visualization, collaboration, and CAD data exchange. It can contain any combination of approximate data, exact boundary representation surfaces , Product and Manufacturing Information , and Metadata either exported from the native CAD... |
*.jt, *.j_t | |||
| Parasolid Parasolid Parasolid is a geometric modeling kernel originally developed by ShapeData, now owned by Siemens PLM Software , that can be licensed by other companies for use in their 3D computer graphics software products.... |
*.x_t | |||
| IGES IGES The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification is a file format which defines a vendor neutral data format that allows the digital exchange of information among Computer-aided design systems.... |
*.igs | |||
| STEP ISO 10303 ISO 10303 is an ISO standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product manufacturing information. Its official title is: Automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange... |
*.stp | |||
| HOOPS HOOPS 3D Graphics System The HOOPS 3D Graphics System is a 3D Graphics API, part of The HOOPS 3D Application Framework. The HOOPS 3D Application Framework has three main elements the first of which is the core HOOPS 3D Graphics System itself, a 3D scene-graph API. The second is a rendering pipeline which can drive a... Meta File |
*.hmf | |||
| HOOPS Streaming File | *.hsf | |||
| PLY PLY (file format) PLY is a computer file format known as the Polygon File Format or the Stanford Triangle Format.The format was principally designed to store three dimensional data from 3D scanners. It supports a relatively simple description of a single object as a list of nominally flat polygons... |
*.ply | |||
| Stereo Lithography STL (file format) STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three dimensional... |
*.stl | |||
| OBJ | *.obj | |||
| Supported write formats | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Extension | |||
| CATIA V4 | *.model | |||
| CATIA V5 | *.CATpart, *.CATproduct | |||
| ACIS | *.sat, *.sab, *.asf, *.asat, *asab | |||
| JT | *.jt | |||
| Parasolid | *.x_t, *.x_b, *.xmt_txt, *.xmb_txt | |||
| IGES | *.igs, *.iges | |||
| STEP | *.stp, *.step | |||
| HOOPS Meta File | *.hmf | |||
| HOOPS Streaming File | *.hsf | |||
| NGRAIN | *.3ko | |||
| PLY | *.ply | |||
| Stereo Lithography | *.stl | |||
| HTML HTML HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages.... |
*.htm | |||
| OBJ | *.obj | |||
See also
- List of file formats
- List of file formats (alphabetical)
- List of CAD programs
External Links
- National Institute of Standards and Technology: The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES)
- TransMagic, Inc.: Home page
- WikiSTEP.org (public and free content about the international standard ISO 10303 known as STEP)Category:Computer-aided design software