Theorem Solutions V5 MultiCAx-JT Plug In

Multi-CAD enables CATIA users who receive and create JT data to work with and share data between CATIA and applications which can consume or create JT data, it is available in uni-directional and bi-directional versions.

For the CATIA user it provides the added ability to work in Multi-CAD mode enabling associative design in context. In this mode it maintains an associative link back to the source JT data and ensures JT remains the master data source in this mode.

In Translator mode it provides bi-directional translation between JT and CATIA in batch and interactively. The translation process supports a rich set of data including product structure, part data, attributes and FTA (PMI) information, making it an ideal tool for Model Based Definition use.

When used interactively inside CATIA it enables the user to do open and insert existing component with JT files.

The Challenge

Faced with the need to use both CATIA V5 and JT data to complete a single product design and manufacturing task a designer has the choice of a number of different approaches to the problem.

The traditional approach is to translate the JT data to CATIA V5, using either a standards based method such as STEP or a direct database translator. In doing so the original JT data is converted to a CATIA V5 representation. There are several downsides to this approach. One is recognizing when a design change takes place which has resulted in a new JT file and managing the process of

updating the CATIA V5 representation to take into account those changes following completion of the initial translation process. Another is having the knowledge to run a separate translation process and the time and costs associated with doing that.

The Solution

Theorem's latest data translation products with advanced functionality are enabling the support of a Multi-CAD strategy, so that "design in context" can be undertaken without the