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From CAD User AEC Magazine  Vol 15 No 03 - MARCH 2002

Version 16 of Cimmetry's Autovue enables user to view solid models over the web and provides a faster and more secure method of transferring model data from servers to clients.

Autovue is one of the most popular visualisation and collaboration tools available. Cimmetry's latest version, AutoVue 16, introduces numerous enhancements - the two most significant using Java to enable designers to download and work on solid models directly over the web, and producing 3D metafiles to speed up the transferral of solid model data to clients, reducing the size of files to the minimum required to view the model.

The new version supports a number of new formats, including EAI/HP DirectModel .JT format and Microstation, and enhances existing support for the major Solid Modelling applications. AutoVue 16 also introduces visualisation for the electronics industry, supporting EDA formats, and there are considerable enhancements to markup, including a Markup Navigation Tree. This enables users to navigate through the markups of collaborators, shown in a list of entities in a markup file, making sure that none are overlooked.

AutoVue SolidModel for Java Cimmetry uses the web's own language, Java, to provide a native, thin-client, 3D visualisation solution, with which design engineers can view and collaborate on 3D CAD designs directly within their web browsers. This simple, out-of-the-box solution relies on straightforward administration of access on the server, no admin for the client, and transparent visualisation of metafile copies of original documents, reducing security issues to a minimum.

Similar to AutoVue's Windows based product, users have access to native 3D CAD assemblies, parts and 2D drafts from all major software suppliers, and can single-click through entire assemblies and family trees, explode assemblies into component parts, manipulate 3D views, view multiple rendering modes and cross-section assemblies. Autovue 16 enables users to switch between 3D assemblies and corresponding draft views, and produce precise measurements of distances, angles, arcs and mass properties.

Cimmetrys believe that, writing the software in Java 1.1, provides users with a complete 3D visualisation solution on the most widely known platform available - and does not require the thin-client user to have to download Java upgrades before he begins to use the software. Besides being the simplest method of collaborating through web browsers, the software is also integrated with EDM/PDM and supply chain solutions via Cimmetry's Document Management API (DMAPI).

Server Based Metafile Rendering
Autovue's SolidModel solution can also be used to optimise performance levels and speed up data delivery. Using Metafiles, it can reduce the amount of data being transferred between the server and the client by a significant amount. After the initial viewing session, when the model is delivered to the client, a 3D Metafile, from 5 to 15% the size of the original solid model file, is generated by Autovue (3D CMF) for subsequent streaming of data. The CMF Metafile, transferring data to and from the server in a continuous stream, has two methods of transmission - to accommodate fast and slow connections. As it is used to gradually build up 3D models on the client's screen, it can be interrupted in full flow - essential, should the client decide to change the view he requires.

When bandwidth is not an issue, the algorithm cycles through parts in an assembly and requests data from the server via the CMF in 'chunks' - usually about 10% of the original file size, until the full 3D model of the part being viewed reaches full resolution on the screen. Initial views are in coarse resolution, which is improved as more data is received. If the CMF is about 10% of the original model size, and the chunks are 10% of that, only 1% of the original data needs to be transmitted for the client to see the initial view of the complete assembly, and only 0.01% to see the initial view of the first part (given a model with an average of 100 parts).

The second method is more complex, and looks at the view parameters to compute the level of detail required on a part-by-part basis, only transferring enough data to accurately visually represent the assembly. If a part is completely off the screen, it doesn't need to be updated, and the data will not be sent. If the user zooms in on a part, a higher level of detail will be required. AutoVue uses a number of algorithms to achieve such a high level of interactivity, but the advantage is that only the amount of data needed to view a model is transferred, making considerable savings on the bandwidth and memory required.
Cimmetry say that Version 16 of AutoVue constitutes a significant enhancement over earlier releases, enabling them to offer, now, powerful visualisation and collaboration solutions for both Windows and Java platforms. CU
www.cimmetry.com

Case Study

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