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FlexiDesign is an easy to use, CAD system independent, legacy drawing conversion tool built specifically with the designer
in mind. The designer only needs to choose the CAD system and FlexiDesign will convert his legacy 2D drawings into an
intelligent, feature-based, parametric, 3D model native to that CAD system. FlexiDesign simplifies the 3D model conversion
process allowing the designer to focus on creation. With support for drawing correction, FlexiDesign ensures that even
imperfect drawings can be converted to 3D with little or no user interaction.
The following features make FlexiDesign unique compared to other 2D-to-3D conversion tools:
- Plugs in to any CAD system (CAD system independent conversion process)
- Easy to use regular Windows interface (GUI)
- Larger number of geometric features supported
- Supports various modes of conversion (automated, interactive, combination) to support varying complexities of drawings
- Supports non-geometric information
- Ability to scale model with respect to drawing on the fly
- Change units from drawing to model
For a complete list please visit our comparisons page.
FlexiDesign's 2D conversion process can be simplified into the steps shown in the figure:
Accept input 2D drawing
FlexiCheck starts to correct/detect errors in the input 2D drawing. (For more information on FlexiCheck click here.)
Upon FlexiCheck's exit, FlexiDesign converts the corrected 2D drawing into a parametric, feature-based 3D model.
FlexiDesign then outputs the 3D model in the native CAD format from which it was run.
Fig: FlexiDesign Conversion Process
Using FlexiDesign's easy to use Conversion Wizard, the designer specifies the input 2D drawing as well as the target location
to save the output 3D model. The designer then can choose among the following three modes to run FlexiDesign:
- Automated conversion - The conversion process is completely automated with little extra input from the designer.
This mode is recommended for simple to medium complex drawings.
- Combined conversion - The conversion process is partially automated. The designer has an option of deleting/
modifying the features that FlexiDesign finds during the automated stage. The designer can also add features using
this mode. This mode is recommended for medium to highly complex drawings.
- Interactive conversion - The conversion is more interactive than the automated mode. In this mode the designer rejects
completely the features that FlexiDesign finds and adds each individual feature interactively reusing the
drawings geometry. This mode is still easier to use than building the model from scratch as the Conversion
Wizard helps you along each step. This mode is recommended for highly complex drawings.
Depending on the mode chosen the designer needs to interact with the drawing and the Conversion Wizard to complete the conversion process.
FlexiDesign and the Conversion Wizard have been designed to promote the look and feel of Microsoft Windows interface.
If the designer chooses the Interactive/Combined mode of conversion, then FlexiDesign would revert back to the native CAD
system to allow the designer to provide the necessary input. That means that to use FlexiDesign, the designer need only be familiar with
Microsoft Windows and the chosen CAD system.
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FlexiDesign's Conversion Wizard provides various options to the designer during the conversion process. Apart from being able to scale the model and change units, the following options make FlexiDesign's Conversion Wizard unique among its competition:
- Accept/Reject/Modify the profile section for every feature detected by FlexiDesign.
- Ability to store the 3D model in a CAD system independent feature-based, parametric format for retrieval or comparison.
- FlexiDesign can also handle single view drawings by allowing user to specify whether the part to be created is an extrusion or a revolve.
In the current version of FlexiDesign i+ the following input file formats are supported:
DXF
The following 3D CAD file formats are currently supported in FlexiDesign i+. Some of these versions are in beta testing phase while others are in alpha testing. To request more information regarding the file format of your choice contact us at info@aspire3d.com
SolidWorks - 2001 Plus, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (Currently under beta testing)
Pro/Engineer - Wildfire 1, 2
Inventor - 5.3, 7.0, 8.0 (Currently under beta testing)
Mechanical Desktop - 6.0
To see the technology at work visit our demos section.
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