The new dimension of CAD data SmartMBDTools

Overview

• Check & Update – Harmonize MBD infrastructure
  Providing a harmonized and reliable MBD infrastructure within the models is an essential part of MBD.

Check & Update

SmartMBDTools provides the capability to update existing models to the latest version of the MBD infrastructure, such as creating missing layers, combined states, or parameters.

Workflow

1. Administrator sets up rules and configuration
   Define Queries for checking the model or drawing, Tasks for updating and Checking Sequences to bring the tasks in a specific order.  Use Conditions if necessary.
2. User initiates checking process
   The model or drawing is checked according to the prepared Queries.
3. User starts rule-based updating process
   Based on the Query results, the software runs a Sequence of rule-based Tasks to update the found inconsistencies.
4. User completes updating process manually
   Some updating Tasks need user interaction and can be run one-by-one manually.
5. Review results
   Review updating results, statistics and quality indication from the dialog.

More details

Color Code

SmartMBDTools provides the application of visible and invisible information on model surfaces in a rule-based sequence or through manual user interaction.
A stack of customizable legend symbols is automatically created associatively in each combined state.

Workflow

1. Administrator sets up color definitions and rules
   Before using the application color definitions and rule sets need to be prepared.
2. User lets the software apply colors and surface parameters by rules
   Run a set of rules and watch how the model gets colored automatically.
3. Software adds legend symbols, surface parameters and semantic associativity
   Notice that legend symbols were added automatically and the semantic associativity to the selected surfaces established accordingly. Furthermore, the intended surface parameters are applied to the surfaces.
4. User completes color application manually
   If the predefined rules do not cover all intended situations, you may easily add the intelligent color definitions manually. Legend symbols, semantics and surfaceparameters are updated accordingly.
   
5. User exports or publishes model for downstream use
   Publish to the provided formats like Creo View, STEP or JT. When using the STEP interface the current combined state is exported

More details

Annotate

SmartMBDTools allows to select prepared texts from a database, configure individual content, and automatically place it in the intended combined state. This can also be utilized in a multilingual scenario.

Workflow

1. Administrator sets up texts, its styling and parameter definitions
   Texts in a multilingual scenario reside in a text database that fill the Creo objects like notes, symbols or tables according to the given input
2. User fills in meta data values
   Fill in or select values from a list to complte the meta data information. Values are checked for correct format and inconsitencies in designation can be solved automatically
3. User selects texts, symbols and tables
   From the user dialog you can select texts or any other content belonging to the current Context and they will be placed either automatically or manual on your 2D-drawing or within your 3D-model.
4. User modifyies already placed content
   The placed texts and symbols are protected by the software and may be edited, moved or deleted with integrated functions.
5. Software monitors the placed content
   Changes in the configuration of texts will be communicated to the user via the notification center.

More details

2D PDF Export

SmartMBDTools offers a WYSIWYG export of selected combined states of a 3D model into a 2D PDF. Values from model parameters can be called out during the export, and a drawing frame can be used.

Workflow

1. Administrator sets up the layout of the export
   A regular 2D drawing is used as a frame for the export that can call out any parameters used in the model.
2. User initiates the Export
   A selection of Combined States is exported via a capture mechanism to the intended PDF layout.

More details

Combined States Management

SmartMBDTools offers various functions to assist in setting up new Combined States or managing attributes and representations.

Workflow

1. Administrator sets up Combined State definitions
   Define how the intended configuration of the combined states shall look like.
2. Software monitors inconsistencies
   Notice the status indicators to see any inconsistent settings between the current model and the template definition.
3. User updates Combined States when necessary
   Use the updating mechanism to harmonize the current staus with the template definition.
4. User deletes or creates new Combined States 
   Use the sophisticated mechanism to create or delete Combined States

Context Management

The foundation for rule-based automation in SmartMBDTools is a context definition. A regular Creo model parameter and its value are used to classify models, e.g., by type, function, location, or customer. Based on this attribute, the software can suggest targeted text selections to the user, apply prepared rules, or simply make specific information visible.

Workflow

1. Administrator sets up Context tree
   Build up an unlimited tree structure to distinguish models by type, scope or any other citeria. Define the name and values of the Context parameter and assign templates to the tree nodes.
2. User uses the Context tree structure when creating a new model
   This allows for an easy selection of your template model
3. User asigns or changes Context
   If no Context has been assigned yet or the Context needs to be changed, you can use the Assign Context dialog to complete the task.

Administration

SmartMBDTools offers a unique administration UI, that allows a modular and reusable set up of the intended content. That ranges from a text database for multilingual text entries to a sophisticated composition of queries and task sequenses.

Workflow

1. Options that drive the general software behaviour
   Set up the options to allow a customized behaviour of your MBD infrastucture.
2. Configuration of content
   Use the configuration dialog to define specific content objects and texts to be used in the user environment. Assign objects to Contexts to define the scope for the usage of the objects.

Automation

SmartMBDTools provides a sophisticated API and batch capability. It allows to call software functions from an external server process and run tasks without any user interaction. That can be a batch run of a updating configuration, a mass export of 2D PDFs or a translation process of existing documents.