ASPire3D.com recently officially opened its portal for converting 2D legacy data into 3D feature-based parametric solid models over the internet. Called 2Dto3DCAD.com, the portal is now ready for business after a beta period of six weeks, one that company officials described as successful.

To use the portal, users upload their 2D DXF or DWG files to a secure website, after they have answered questions relating to the file's make up--e.g., number of 2D views, positions of views. The site has an area called "My Conversions" that shows users the status of a job. When it is completed, an email notification is sent and the model can be previewed. If it looks okay, the model can be purchased and downloaded. Simple models cost as little as $15 to $25, while a typical conversion will run in the $50 range.

Imagecom, an Arlington, Texas-based company that is the group behind this portal, uses its FlexiDesign software as the engine running in the background. There are two key factors that make this technology different than that found in other programs. For one, feature-based models are created in a number of formats including Mechanical Desktop, Inventor, and soon SolidWorks, with more to follow, whereas other solutions, like AutoZ (Mechanical Desktop) and Xpand3D (Solid Edge) only build features for one specific application.

Another difference is that Imagecom software can clean up problems in files, such as duplicate lines and overlapping endpoint conditions. Based on my own tests, as well as several users I spoke to, this technology does indeed work. In the December issue of CADENCE, I will describe the conversion process in more detail, in a new column entitled "MCAD State of the Art."

Written by: Joe Greco