CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

14 September 2009

Implementation Investments

Boeing Subsidiary Uses SolidWorks to Expand 2D-to-3D Conversion Business

Continental DataGraphics (CDG), a Boeing subsidiary, has purchased SolidWorks® 3D CAD software to meet the increasing demand for 2D-to-3D file conversion. The SolidWorks tools will support CDG’s internal requirements to support Boeing projects, and enable the company to offer 2D-to-3D conversion services for other commercial customers as well.

CDG authors and publishes illustrated parts catalogs and maintenance manuals to support all Boeing commercial aircraft worldwide. As part of that work, the CDG graphics team uses SolidWorks software to convert 2D pictures of parts into 3D models for use in publishing and engineering.

“We recognized that a lot of other companies, like those in trucking, energy, and other industries using complex equipment, have similar needs,” said Josh Migdal, CDG production manager. “Because SolidWorks accepts and outputs a wide range of file formats, we have been able to expand our engineering services capabilities to convert 2D pictures into 3D models for a broader range of customers across multiple industries.”

SolidWorks also enables CDG to repurpose 3D data to 2D isometric projections for Component Maintenance Manuals (CMMs) and Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) technical illustrations.

“Our skilled professionals have also found applications for this product that can support marketing, multimedia, and training development requirements,” said Migdal. “This software will be an essential tool for our hundreds of talented engineers, and will create new business opportunities for our growing company.”

SolidWorks software includes bi-directional translators that support DWG, DXF™, Pro/ENGINEER®, IPT (Autodesk Inventor®), Mechanical Desktop®, Unigraphics®, PAR (Solid Edge®), CADKEY®, IGES, STEP, Parasolid, SAT (ACIS), VDA-FS, VRML, STL, TIFF, JPG, Adobe® Illustrator®, Rhinocerous®, IDF, and HSF (Hoops) formats. No other CAD software offers this set of data translation capabilities.

“We worked very closely with our SolidWorks VAR throughout the evaluation process,” said Migdal. “We found that SolidWorks was extremely easy to use and it met all of our requirements for our conversion projects.”

CDG relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller GoEngineer for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

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