Proprietary face-to-face geometric pattern matching analyzes the whole part definition within the user controlled tolerance. This strategy reliably finds the differences across all precise CAD models without the common failures and false positives of the Boolean approach, or missed areas inherent with the sampling of points approach.
This is Boeings quality system requirement for Aerospace suppliers with sections that require translated CAD data to be validated for quality system compliance.
Measure the distance between entities, points, and positions and angles between two edges or faces, or 4 positions.
A special mode for two sets of hierarchical CAD assembly files scans file names and headers and lists side-by-side results. Users can optionally geometrically compare a selected set of parts or launch processes to compare all parts. Quick side-by-side 3D graphical viewing is available to see differences in impacted parts.
When the authority or derivative files have extra data that is inconsequential to validation, a selective compare can be accomplished by choosing the data from each file for comparison.
When the derivative data is in a different orientation than the authority data (typically for manufacturing setups), the derivative can be automatically or manually oriented to match the authority data before comparison.
When the software that is receiving a solid/surface B-Rep model of the MBD data can not output a B-Rep model (some metrology software) the translation of the authority data is validated by outputting a point cloud sampled from the nominal model (IGES, CSV, etc.). This point data is compared to the authority B-Rep data to perform the validation.
A similar approach is used to compare mesh data in STL derivative files to the precise authority data set (Premium level only).
Support Model-based Definition (MBD) processes by reading Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) including 3D geometric tolerances from these formats:
Dassault CATIA versions: V6 3DXML, V5 R34 - 4, plus V4 4.1.5 - 4.2.5
PTC Creo versions: 11.0 – 1.0, plus Wildfire 1 - 5
Siemens DIS NX versions: 2406 - 1847, 1 - 12, plus UG V11.0
Dassault SolidWorks versions: 2025 – 2009
Autodesk Inventor versions: 2025 - 2018
STEP AP 242 versions: all
Quality Information Format (QIF) versions: 3
Jupiter Tessellation (JT) versions: up to 10.10
Kosmos Core Model (KCM) versions: 6
Authority and derivative files can be processed in sets using a simplified list interface.
Inconsequential errors found as a result of compare can be quickly dispositioned with a short text explanation and documented in the output quality document.
Quality documents include built-in features that provide traceability back to the original validation to meet audit requirements.
Images of differences can be automatically included in the output quality document.
Comparison results recorded as certified, tamper-proof ASCII text documents customized with your company name.
Comparison results recorded as certified, tamper-proof PDF documents customized with your company name.
Developer: ISO 10303
Extension(s): STEP, STP, STPZ
AP203 format support: solid, surface, wireframe
AP214 format support: solid, surface, wireframe, and assemblies
AP242 format support: solid, surface, mesh, wireframe, and assemblies
Versions: all
Developer: ANSI Y14.26M
IGES,IGS format support: solid, surface, wireframe, drawings, and assemblies
Developer: Dassault Systemes
CATPart format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe
CATProduct format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe, and assemblies
Versions: 2025 (R35) - R10
Developer: SolidWorks (Dassault Systemes)
SLDPRT format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe
SLDASM format support: Assemblies
Versions: 2025 - 98
Developer: Siemens Digital Industries Software
PRT format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe, assemblies
Versions: 2412 - 1847, 12 - 1, UG 18-11
Developer: ISO 14306 (HP, Siemens)
JT format support: solids, polygon mesh
Versions: 10.10 - 8.x
Developer: PTC
PRT format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe
ASM format support: Assemblies
Versions: 11.0 - 1.0, plus Wildfire (all) and Pro/E 2000i
MOD, MODEL format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe
Versions: 4.1.9 - 4.2.5
3DXML format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe
PAR format support: 3D solid, surface
PSM format support: 3D solid (sheet metal)
Versions: 2025 - 2019, V18 - ST10
Developer: Autodesk
IPT format support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe
IAM format support: Assemblies
Versions: 2026 - 2008, 11 - 6 (2002)
Developers: Autodesk and Open Design Alliance
DWG format support: solids/surfaces, wireframe, and references
DXF format support: solids/surfaces, wireframe, and references
Versions: 2018 to 2.5
Developers: Kubotek Corporation
CKD format support: solids/surfaces, wireframe, and references
Versions: 2025 to 3.0 (2004)
Developer: CNC Software
Extension(s): MCAM, MCX
Support: 3D solids only
Versions: 2024 - 2017, 9 - 4
Developer: Spatial Corp. (Dassault Systemes)
Extension(s): SAT, SAB
Support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe
Versions: 2024 - 2016, R25 - R1.5
Extension(s): X_T, X_B
Support: 3D solid, surface, and wireframe, assemblies
Versions: 37.1 - 10.0
The Quality Information Framework format is an ISO standard file for 3D product manufacturing and inspection data.
Developer: ISO 23952 (DMSC)
QIF format support: solids/surfaces, wires
Versions: 3.0
Developer: Microsoft Corporation
Versions supported: Windows 10 & 11
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