D-Cubed: Latest release of the 2D DCM, Version 53.0
Released February 2008
Siemens PLM Software announces the latest release of the D-Cubed 2D Dimensional Constraint Manager (2D DCM), a software component that controls 2D parametric sketches in 2D and 3D design environments. Some of the new features specific to version 53.0 are listed below. A full product description can be found here.
Functional enhancement: improved control of scalable sets and splines
Sets are collections of geometries which the 2D DCM solves as if they are constrained relative to each other without requiring the use of individual dimensions and constraints. When solving a parametric model the 2D DCM will position sets in order to solve the constraints and dimensions on the constituent geometries. One example of the use of sets is in creating a layout, where pre-defined sketches are imported and constrained to each other.
The 2D DCM supports two types of sets: rigid sets where the shape and size is fully defined and scalable sets which have the freedom to scale uniformly. In a similar way, 2D DCM splines can be made rigid or scalable. The size and shape of rigid splines will be kept fixed, which in turn will make the defining control points rigid. A scalable spline is allowed to scale uniformly.
Previously the scaling of sets or splines would automatically occur relative to the origin, unless the applied constraints dictated otherwise. Version 53 provides improved application control of the scaling behaviour, enabling any point in a set or spline to be defined as the centre about which scaling should occur.
In the example below, a rectangular set of geometry has its scale defined by a distance dimension. If the scaling centre is restricted to the origin, then modifying the distance dimension results in scaling relative to the origin, as illustrated in figure 1. In many cases, the preferred behaviour is to scale the set about a constituent geometry, as illustrated in figure 2. This is enabled using the new capability introduced in version 53.
Figure 1: scaling about the sketch origin Figure 2: Scaling about point in set
This new functionality demonstrates the continuing commitment to improving the dimensions and constraints available for managing sets and splines.
Reliability enhancement: improved constraint diagnostics
The 2D DCM provides applications with a wide range of tools to assist users in applying the appropriate dimensions and constraints to define the geometric relationships in a sketch. One example is the check function, which enables an application to enquire whether a given geometry has sufficient degrees of freedom, such that a user could add a constraint without overconstraining the sketch.
A previous limitation with the check function algorithm could occasionally result in the 2D DCM reporting that a constraint should not be applied to a given geometry, when in fact the constraint should be permitted. Version 53 introduces a greatly improved algorithm to reduce the number of such situations.
Giving constant attention to optimising 2D DCM tools and diagnostics is an important part of providing end-users with an increasingly productive sketching experience.
Performance enhancement: pattern constraint solving
A sophisticated capability of the 2D DCM is that it can solve pattern constraints. One and two-dimensional linear and circular patterns can be solved variationally (without any order dependence), so that changes to any instance in the pattern will result in all other patterned instances being updated. Version 53 has introduced enhanced algorithms that significantly improve the performance of some two-dimensional patterns, illustrated by the example below.
Figure 3: A sketch containing 2-dimensional linear and circular pattern constraints
Integration enhancement: new application development environments
The D-Cubed components are integrated into a wide range of applications using a variety of development environments running on numerous computer platforms. It is important to component customers that new environments are supported as their requirements evolve. This release sees the extension of the supported application development environments and platforms to include Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and Apple Mac OS X Leopard.
About the D-Cubed 2D DCM
First released in 1990, the 2D DCM is used in most major CAD applications and is widely acknowledged as the leading 2D geometric constraint solving technology. It provides a variational (non-sequential) approach to solving a broad range of dimension and constraint schemes optimised for use in 2D environments. In addition to driving the sketcher in most mechanical CAD products, it is used in the integral design environments of many other applications, such as CAM and CAE systems.
About PLM Components; Parasolid and D-Cubed
PLM Components are software tools that can help increase the profitability of software applications in the CAD, CAM, CAE and PLM marketplace by raising their value and lowering their costs. This is achieved by supporting innovation and interoperability with standard tools that ensure quality and reduce time to market. PLM Software develops these components, uses them throughout its own applications and licenses them to independent software vendors and end-user organizations. Flexible licensing arrangements and a simple, proven integration process enable any organisation, large or small, to bring innovative capabilities to their applications quickly and economically. Part of the PLM Components family of products, the Parasolid and D-Cubed components provide 3D part and assembly modeling, editing and interoperability, 2D/3D parametric sketching, motion simulation, collision detection, clearance measurement and visualization. Applications include mechanical CAD, CAM, CAE, mold design, sheet metal, AEC, GIS, structural, plant and ship design, CMM, reverse engineering and sales configuration. For more information, please visit www.plm.automation.siemens.com/open/.
Contact
Jonathon Rimmer
Siemens PLM Software (D-Cubed Components)
Tel: +44-1223-722635