D-Cubed: Latest release of the HLM, Version 38.0
Released March 2008
Siemens PLM Software announces the latest release of the D-Cubed Hidden Line Manager (HLM), a software component that accurately and rapidly computes hidden line views. New enhancements specific to version 38.0 are listed below. See the full product description.
Functional enhancement: detecting wire edge crossing locations
Some applications generate hidden line views of models that include wire edges. Unlike the edges that bound the faces of solids and surfaces, wire edges are independent curves that can be used to represent pipe axes, cables and construction geometry for example. In previous releases, the HLM would determine which regions of a wire edge were hidden, as it would for all the face edges in a model. However, the HLM would not distinguish which regions in a model were behind a wire edge.
This capability has been added to the latest release and one benefit is illustrated below. The wire edge is a spline that is representing the centre line of a cable. The HLM now determines where the wire edge hides the geometry behind it by determining the wire crossing points (see inset).
Computing the positions where a wire edge crosses in front of other edges
Applications can use the new capability to emphasise those regions where a wire edge passes in front of another part in a particular view direction, without having to convert the edge into a solid or surface representation to achieve this.
Reliability enhancement: face outline computations
As well as computing which portions of edges are visible and hidden, the HLM is able to compute the boundary between the visible and hidden regions of faces, known as face outlines. This can be applied to hatching algorithms, for example, where only the visible regions of a face are to be hatched. This release sees enhancements to reliability where an edge on a face that is being outlined is coincident with an edge from a face on another part.
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 their preferred 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 HLM
First released in 1999, the HLM is the most widely deployed hidden line solution in the CAD field. It accurately computes hidden line views, engineering drawings and technical illustrations of parts and assemblies with exceptional performance, reliability and functionality. Independent from any modeller or model format, the HLM operates on exact, faceted, solid or surface representations in any application.
About Siemens 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. Siemens 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.ugs.com/en_us/products/open/
Contact
Neil Howarth
Siemens PLM Software (D-Cubed Components)
Tel: +44-1223-722618