CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
9 January 2007
Product News
Kubotek Combines Advanced Face Selection with Dimension Editing Techniques to Simplify Product Design
Kubotek® USA, creators of geometry-based CAD software, unveiled new direct modeling capabilities that are redefining the ability to design, edit and reuse 3D solid models. The company has extended its advanced face selection technology to support dimension editing capabilities that drive real-time changes to geometry, providing CAD professionals with intelligent new tools for design flexibility.
A New Twist on an Old Standby
The CAD industry is very familiar with editing solid models by driving dimensions. However, today Kubotek is debuting its ability to allow users to change solid model geometry by selecting and editing dimensions in real-time without pre-defined constraints. Benefiting from advanced face selection technology that powers Kubotek's direct modeling approach, users are no longer required to define relationships and specify constraints in advance in order to use dimensions when editing models.
Direct Dimension-driven Editing allows a user to quickly create and then select any dimension on a 3D solid model, insert a different value, and watch the geometry automatically update. The introduction of Direct Dimension- driven Editing capabilities from Kubotek means changing solid model geometry just got a lot faster and much more intuitive.
"Kubotek's introduction of Direct Dimension-driven Editing allows users to work with models the way they naturally want to design," said James Gordon, Deputy Vice President of Development at Kubotek USA. "Traditional CAD tools tie dimension-driven changes to sketches, which can be complex to decipher and use depending on the original design intent. Kubotek technology isn't limited by constraints or a dependency on the sketch. In fact, even our newest direct dimension-driven capabilities can be used with any CAD model, regardless of file format - providing unprecedented technical and market leadership."
Similar to history-based programs, dimension-driven functionality is used to edit 3D solid models, but that's where the similarity ends. The difference is that Kubotek's Direct Dimension-driven Editing requires no fixed relationships be built into the dimensions or any special data or entity types. This flexibility allows users to decide at the time of an edit how the change should take place as well as what features or faces should be included in the change. Underlying face selection technology, called Face LogicT, allows users the freedom to quickly add driving dimensions to any 3D solid at any time, regardless of how the model was originally defined. Face Logic technology never requires constraints on the model, nor is the model constrained by rigid design intent or subsequent model edits. Instead, the technology enables users to make any edits they want to make whenever they want to make them.
Face LogicT -- the Foundation for Design Freedom
Kubotek's Face Logic technology is comprised of powerful face selection techniques that discover features and patterns in real time. More specifically, the underlying technology assesses a face identified as the cursor passes over while simultaneously analyzing adjacent faces for certain geometry and topology conditions. Based on the conditions identified, the faces may be part of a "feature" or multiple features. Since there can be more than one option, users are able to cycle through the solutions or mask on particular features. Kubotek's Face Logic technology is unique in its ability to allow users to manipulate very high level "super" features -- i.e. a "cavity" in a molded design, the "side" of a sheet metal part or a pattern of complex holes.
"Kubotek's advanced Face Logic technology produces a dynamic design environment that allows users to create without concern for future changes or modifications," said John McCullough, Product Manager at Kubotek USA. "Our introduction today represents only a fraction of the potential this technology offers. Users are already getting addicted to this approach to design."
"The future of CAD is becoming clearer every day," continues Gordon. "Direct modeling advancements are making their way into a broad range of CAD systems -- even those using parametric design methodologies -- because users are demanding more productive design tools. Kubotek continues to pioneer ground-breaking technology that is shaping the direction of CAD."
Availability
Face Logic, Kubotek's advanced face selection technology, powers many of the next-generation tools available in Kubotek products today. The technology has been extended to support the use of geometry-based dimensional editing. The first implementation of Kubotek's Direct Dimension-driven Editing capabilities will be available in the company's KeyCreator® and REALyzeT products on January 29, 2006.
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