Overview

Welcome to the Data Exchange Interfaces User's Guide!
This guide is intended for users who need to become quickly familiar with the product.

This overview provides the following information:

Data Exchange Interfaces in a Nutshell

V5 is an open system, capable of interoperating with data in all of the moSTLy used data format standards in the CAD/CAM/CAE Industry.

For Importing and Exporting external files there are miscellaneous formats : STEP, IGES, DXF/DWG, CGM, STL, VRML, and STRIM/STYLER.

These formats are used to transfer geometric data (surfaces and wireframe) between different CAD-CAM systems in following situations :

  • concurrent engineering with using several CAD-CAM systems
  • migration of databases when changing system (example: for new V5 customers)
  • exchanges of geometric data with clients or suppliers

Data Exchange Interfaces are :

  • STEP AP203 / AP214 format (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) : the V5 - STEP AP203 Interface and theV5 - STEP AP214 Interface : allow to interactively read and write data in STEP AP203 / AP214 data formats. Its supports geometry and assembly structures and handles topology (shells, solids) on export and import.
    For instance, you can read a STEP file, edit its content in V5 workbenches, and save the results directly as a STEP file.
  • IGES format is supported by the V5 - IGES Interface (IG1) product. V5 - IGES Interface (IG1) helps users working in a heterogeneous CAD/CAM environment to exchange data through a neutral format. The Initial Graphic Exchange Specification (IGES) format, is the most used neutral format to transfer data between heterogeneous CAD systems. Users can perform bi-directional data exchange between dissimilar systems with direct and automated access to IGES files.
    IGES files containing 3D geometry are imported into CATPart documents. Their type should be "igs".
    IGES files containing 2D geometry and annotations are imported as CATDrawing documents. Their type should be "ig2".
  • DXF/DWG : DXF formats are supported by the V5 - Generative Drafting Products. After creating drawings, the designers can export data in DXF/DWG formatted files and import the 2D geometric data contained in a DXF/DWG file into a CATDrawing document.
  • CGM format is supported by the V5 - Object Manager Products. 

  • STL format is supported by the V5 - Object Manager Products. STL concerns stereolithography document (.STL).

  • STRIM/STYLER : V5 - STRIM/STYLER To CATIA Interface 2 (STC) allows to process in CATIA V5 the Geometry from Strim and Styler Applications. It provides a unique direct Interface from Strim and Styler to CATIA, which operates on Strim and Styler Native Format Files in V5 Environment. The product features a direct access to Styler or Strim data files to convert and store them into V5 format. The product enables to retrieve an existing Styler or Strim design into V5, and proceed to further transformations in Mechanical Solutions, Potentially NC Manufacturing Solutions and Shape Design & Styling solutions.
    STRIM and STYLER files (with extension ".tdg") can be selected in File Open to Create and Display a part document enclosing the geometry of the files in a V5 Format. Files can be selected in the CATIA - DIGITAL MOCK-UP NAVIGATOR to be inserted as existing components in a Product.

 

 

The Data Exchange Interfaces User's Guide has been designed to show you how to Import and Export external files in/from Version 5.

 

 

Before Reading this Guide

Prior to reading the Data Exchange Interfaces User's Guide, you are recommended to have a look at the Infrastructure User's Guide for  information on the generic capabilities common to all products.

 

Getting the Most Out of this Guide

For each interface, you will learn:

  • how to import data,

  • or to export data to one of these formats,

  • and how entities are dealt with.

then you will find chapters dealing with:

  • Trouble Shooting: this chapter provides solutions to repair eventual problems

  • Best Practices: this chapter provides information and tips to use interfaces at their best

  • FAQ: this chapter lists answers to frequently asked questions

  • VBScript Macros: this chapter provides the operating mode for VBScript Macros

DXF-IGES-STEP Batch deals with the Batch processing of files

 

Accessing Sample Documents

To perform the scenarios, sample documents are provided all along this documentation. For more information about this, refer to Accessing Sample Documents in the Infrastructure User's Guide.