Spatial Corp.’s SDKs Help Build Innovative Engineering Software Solutions

We recently spoke with Frédéric Jacqmin, VP Worldwide Business Development, Spatial Corp. about specific recent developments within Spatial and the industry in general.

From its inception in 1986, Spatial, a Dassault Systèmes company, has developed software components – modular software packages that perform a set of specific and related functions. Software components are also known as software development toolkits (SDKs). This class of software is designed to work as a functional component of a larger application, such as CAD, CAM, CAE, and far beyond. The goal of component software is to standardize the interfaces between software components so that they can work together efficiently.

SDKs are used by almost every CAD/CAM vendor in one form or another. Popular host applications include 3D geometric modeling, data translation, visualization, metrology, toolpath generation, and simulation.

In 1986, Spatial had a primary product: ACIS, the first commercially available 3D geometric modeling kernel. Over time, Spatial added other products to its portfolio that enabled independent software vendors (ISVs), primarily in the engineering software industries, for building host applications. These components include extensions and updates to the ACIS modeler, other design and visualization products, as well as acquisitions in translator technology.

Although far from the only issue of concern, reusability also is a vital characteristic of software components. Ideally, software components should be designed and implemented in such a way that many different applications could reuse them. This is not an easy task because it takes significant effort to write software components that are effectively reusable. To succeed, components need to be:

• Fully documented
• Thoroughly tested
• Designed knowing that they inevitably will be put to unforeseen uses.

According to Jacqmin, “Spatial is a pioneer supporting the 3D modeling industry. We started about 35 years ago, offering software development kits to organizations that are developing 3D applications.”

 “We started with the 3D ACIS Modeler, which is still today one of the leading modeling kernels integrated into some of the best 3D applications on the market. In 2000 we were acquired by Dassault Systemes and since then we have continuously provided innovative technologies to many software development companies.”

MCADCafe Interviews Frédéric Jacqmin, VP Worldwide Business Development, Spatial Corp.

“Spatial is a global company. Historically we’ve been based in Colorado, but we have a global R&D in the US, France, and India. Most of our people have been with Spatial a long time and these employees are highly qualified and recognized as industry experts. In terms of markets, we are delivering solutions into multiple industries. We have millions of users that are leveraging our technology inside hundreds of host applications. So, to summarize, Spatial’s promise to our customers is to be their most trusted partner serving them to develop leading-edge host applications with our expertise and 3D technologies.”

In developing its software components, Spatial has always realized, too, that the best modeling components excel at modeling with imported data, and through data reuse, data import is more prevalent than data creation. Spatial understands that design data reuse is much more than just data exchange.

Spatial understands the importance of high quality data reuse. Problems associated with the exchange of data may not become apparent until late in the work flow when investigation and correction of problems is more difficult, more costly and requires more investigation. Data reuse is about much more than just data translation.

Solving the inherent problems associated with CAD data exchange throughout the product design and engineering process can be challenging. Successful data reuse must address the specific requirements of the target modeler, whether it is 3D ACIS Modeler, CGM, Parasolid or another modeling engine. By providing the highest quality of data reuse with the ability to selectively import product structure, graphics data, geometry and PMI from a variety of leading CAD and neutral formats, Spatial’s 3D InterOp offers a means to true competitive differentiation, faster time-to-revenue, and greater quality in your application.

Jacqmin said, “We provide a full set of APIs that are necessary for building a 3D application from scratch. We also provide software development kits for end-to-end workflows. This is what makes us special, different and this is our value to our customers because we provide toolkits, but we also provide the bridges between the different toolkits and for them, it’s a one-stop approach.”

What Are Software Development Toolkits and Their Benefits?

Generally, SDKs are comprised of a software library or set of libraries, which are integrated into a host application. To the end user, the technology within the SDKs appear as a seamless part of the application. SDKs quickly add value to host applications by enabling richer sets of functionality.

Jacqmin said, “Let me highlight some of the benefits of using software development kits. First and foremost, our customers are depending on us to reduce time to market and accelerate development. They can focus on their IP and differentiation rather than developing low-level APIs. One of the key aspects for working with us is to minimize risk mitigation. Using proven SDKs is probably the best recipe for achieving software product development objectives. It’s a very flexible and cost-effective method and solution.”

There are many reasons why an application developer chooses to use SDKs that include:

• Reduced time to market to achieve quicker revenue generation and gain a competitive advantage. It is significantly faster to integrate proven, ready-made SDKs than it is to develop custom routines from scratch.
• Opportunity to expand the product offering into new markets that would otherwise be out of reach due to resource constraints. Examples include simulation, 5-Axis machining, and 3D geometric modeling.
• Allows the application development team to focus on what it is good at — time and money is spent on the team’s areas of expertise.
• Reduced development costs. By using SDKs, the application development costs are effectively shared with the SDK vendor and its customers.
• Complementary SDKs allow for faster development of broad solutions; for instance, ModuleWorks plus CGMTM Core Modeler plus 3D InterOp are basic building blocks which can be easily integrated through open APIs and supported through vendor partnerships.
• The technology is developed by specialists in this field, providing access to many man-years of intellectual property development and expertise that is both scarce and time consuming (expensive) to develop in-house.
• The best SDKs are industry proven. As a result, many of the issues associated with introducing new technology are avoided, allowing the application developer to focus their full efforts on the integration work.
• Popular SDKs have a large number of end users and are in a diverse set of applications, helping to ensure high quality and robustness.

Spatial’s SDKs

Some of Spatial’s diverse software components include:

ACIS

The 3D ACIS Modeler (ACIS) is the software component that started it all and is Spatial’s modeling component used in hundreds CAD/CAM/CAE applications with millions of seats. ACIS features an open, object-oriented C++ architecture that enables 3D modeling capabilities. It is particularly well-suited for developing applications with hybrid modeling features, since it integrates wireframe, surface, and solid modeling functionality with both manifold and non-manifold topology, and a set of geometric operations. ACIS provides a basis for 3D modeling functionality, plus the flexibility to meet individual application requirements. The 3D solid modeler also includes ACIS extensions for specific application needs including hidden line removal, deformable modeling, advanced covering and defeaturing.

CGM

First unveiled in 2011, Spatial’s Convergence Geometric Modeler (CGM) is a fully functional modeler that can also be used as a modeling component. CGM is the same technology used in several Dassault Systèmes’ products, including CATIA. The underlying modeling engine has been the foundation of many DS products for many years.

CGM provides the following capabilities:

• Large model capacity and performance exceeding traditional system limitations
• Advanced deformation and warping to address complex design and manufacturing workflows
• Tight application data integration due to geometric data compatibility with 3DEXPERIENCE applications
• Improved multiprocessor enhancements
• Ability to import new CAD formats and edit the geometry using CGM direct editing tools.

CGM has tolerant modeling as a principal element of its architecture. The result is a reliable modeler that maintains model validity for imported data and through subsequent modeling operations.

It’s estimated that between ACIS and CGM, these components are part of at least 40% (and probably more) of all current CAD seats.

3D InterOp

Also introduced in 2011, Spatial’s 3D InterOp provides data exchange between CAD formats, enabling superior CAD file translation. This is in keeping with Spatial’s feeling that data import is more prevalent than data creation. The comprehensive suite of translators provides import/export for all applications, including ACIS, CGM and Parasolid-based applications.

3D InterOp is a high-performance, high-quality set of B-rep translators, supporting parts, assemblies and non-geometrical metadata.

Capabilities include:

• Delivers transparent exchange of 3D data from a variety of neutral and native 3D formats
• Optimizes the performance of reading industry standard file formats, such as IGES and STEP
• Supports Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) and includes notes, dimensions, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances (GD&T), datums and datum targets, and surface roughness
• 3D InterOp Translators optionally translate non-geometric data attached to topology, including names, color, coordinate systems, work planes, and layers
• Continued emphasis on model-based engineering (MBE) practices.

Below are additional examples provided by Spatial and ModuleWorks:

CGM Core Modeler

• Offers native B-rep interoperability with Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
• Includes a consistent interface for easy integration
• Provides foundation-based tolerant modeling to maintain geometrical and topological precision
• Supports large model capacity and performance

CGM Polyhedra 

• Powerful polygonal modeling capability
• Easy integration with CGM Core Modeler because of native interfaces for each
• Capabilities to query, check and heal polyhedral 3Dmodels
• Flexibility to import precise models, scanned objects, raw mesh data, and many formats when combined with 3D InterOp

HOOPS Visualize

• Delivers a flexible SDK suite with robust graphics functionality
• Offers an extendable, modular framework
• Allows real-time rendering in customer host applications and interaction with customer data
• Provides cross-platform capability

ModuleWorks SDKs 

ModuleWorks 3-5 Axis Toolpath Generation

• A wide range of 3-, 4-, and 5-axis toolpath creation algorithms
• Industry-specific solutions for aerospace, woodworking and dental applications
• Application-specific strategies for impellers, blades, blisks, and cylinder head ports
• Industry proven with end users in many leading CAM host applications and products

ModuleWorks Stock Removal and Machine Simulation

• Full kinematic machine simulation for any machine and any number of axes – mills, routers, lathes, CMM and robotics
• Stock removal simulation of milling, turning, mill/turn, router and wire EDM
• Built-in collision detection and analysis tools for safe and optimal toolpaths

The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts 

Modern SDKs plug together easily, enhancing the value of each other. Companies such as ModuleWorks and Spatial participate in a collaborative program, the Spatial Industry Partner Program, to ensure seamless integration between their respective SDKs.

Jacqmin said, “We leverage a lot of the expertise that we have inside the company to support development for our customers. We provide consulting services, but we also pay attention to our customers across the entire life cycle of their host application. It’s good to provide technology at the beginning, but it’s also good in the 10- or 15-year period to really align with our customers so that we continuously bring a competitive advantage to them.”

“We have traditional PLM, CAD, CAM, CAE customers, but we also see more and more industries that are moving from 2D to 3D, such as additive manufacturing, medical, Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0. When you have all this data coming and going to and from machines, you need to provide some context to the data by linking the data to 3D models.”

“What we see more and more is how people are consuming 3D data. In the past designers sat behind their workstations, connected to their network and starting their design. Now we see the need for sharing 3D data. We see the need for cloud applications. We see the need for software as a service and the way the people are consuming that 3D data is very diverse. We don’t see that [cloud] as a substitution for desktop applications, but we see that as a complement to desktop applications. These are some of the main trends that we see in the market.”

3D software components are Spatial’s legacy and will continue to be its business for a long time to come. As they were in the past, software components will remain significant and relevant into the future for the engineering software industry. After all, as it always has been, SDKs are Spatial’s business.

For More Information: Spatial Corp.

Tags: 3D Interoperability, 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, Frédéric Jacqmin, SDKs, software, Spatial, Video Interview

Category: Interview

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