CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
28 July 2004
Product News
nPower Software and Datakit announce Power CatiaToMax
nPower Software / Datakit announce Power CatiaToMax for 3ds Max / Viz. Power CatiaToMax provides translation of native Catia models directly into 3ds Max / Viz. Catia users no longer have to spend days or weeks translating their high quality surface models into imprecise polygonal models or intermediate formats, and then struggle to generate high quality renderings. Now with Power CatiaToMax, Catia users can transfer their high quality surface models directly into 3ds Max / Viz for high quality rendering, animation, etc. without intermediate formats, and without loss of precision. Power CatiaToMax utilizes a precise NURBS-based boundary representation object within Max / Viz for the most accurate modeling representation. Instead of importing imprecise polygonal approximations, Power CatiaToMax uses its precise representation to generate extraordinarily smooth, crack free renderings without polygonal artifacts. Power CatiaToMax opens a streamlined portal to the advanced 3D modeling and rendering environment of 3ds Max.
Power CatiaToMax leverages a precise CAD geometric modeling kernel that has been added to 3ds Max. It performs dynamic tessellation at render time to generate a render mesh with the appropriate level of detail based on the size of the object in the view, eliminating the need for multiple levels of detail. Power CatiaToMax is powered by Datakit's translation tools for reading Catia models, and by SOLIDS++, "The Modeling Kernel of the Future". SOLIDS++ is a NURBS-based modeling kernel from IntegrityWare Inc; Power CatiaToMax leverages this modeling kernel to provide precise geometric representation within the 3ds Max environment.
Power CatiaToMax is the first of several precise data translation tools developed through a partnership between Datakit and nPowerSoftware. Power CatiaToMax is an extension to nPower Software's popular Power Translators plug-in for 3ds Max.
Power CatiaToMax Features
Power CatiaToMax contains the following features:
• Native Translation of Catia Models
• Import Precise Trimmed NURBS
• User Control of Tessellation for Display / Rendering
• Batch Import with Mesh Generation
• Manual Sewing for cleanup of Import Data
• Trim / Un-trim Surfaces
• Snapping to Imported Catia Objects
Native Translation of Catia Files
One can directly import native Catia model files for optimum throughput. Maximize rendering efficiency and quality using the native translation directly into the excellent 3ds Max rendering environment.
High Quality Mesh Generation
The user has detailed control over the tessellation quality; he/she can control the level of detail, the maximum edge length, arc length, etc.
Batch Import with Mesh Generation
One can import multiple Catia model files simultaneously with the batch import feature. The automatic mesh generation will generate a high quality mesh suitable for accurate, high quality renderings.
Editable Brep Object
Like the Max Editable Mesh and Editable Poly commands, the Editable Brep command allows the user to manipulate sub-objects of the BREP. In addition, one can sew together faces, flip face normals, trim and un-trim, project curves, apply materials to faces, and other editing options. One can trim surfaces by curve projections or surface intersections.
Snapping to BREPs
Power Solids now supports snapping to its BREP objects. One can snap to edges, faces, vertices, edge midpoint and end points, greatly facilitating associative construction techniques.
Power CatiaToMax sells for $2995. Power CatiaToMax is available for purchase at the nPower Software on-line store ( http://www.npowersoftware.com/store.html ), from Datakit ( http://www.datakit.com/ ), and through various resellers throughout the world. A free 30 day evaluation copy can be downloaded from the nPower Software web site at http://www.nPowerSoftware.com
nPower Software LLC is a company founded by IntegrityWare, Inc. ( http://www.integrityware.com/ ) employees to market the technology developed by IntegrityWare over the past 7 years into the end-user graphics plug-in market.
Datakit ( http://www.datakit.com/ ) just celebrated its 10 years of experience in developing Data Translators. Datakit is going to join nPowerSoftware in the IntegrityWare booth during IMTS - Stand D - 3228 - pavilion Controls & CAD CAM.
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