1

Computer Aided Design

(CAD)

CAD CAD
Standards

Dr. Ragab Kamal

Dr. Ragab Kamal

 CAD Standards definition

CAD Standards are a set of guidelines for the way

Computer-aided design (CAD) drawings should

appear, to improve productivity and interchange of

CAD documents between different offices and CAD

programs, especially in architecture and

 Need for Graphics Standards
• The real issue with choosing the standards is
portability and device independence.
• Complex CAD/CAM systems.
• Shape, Non shape, design and Manufacturing
data.
• Need to integrate and automate design and
manufacturing process to obtain maximum
benefits from CAD/CAM.
• Direct Translators and neutral formats.
CAD Function
• Graphics Output Primitives
– Line, polygon, sphere, …
• Attributes
– Color, line width, texture, …
• Geometric transformations
– Modeling, Viewing
• Shading and illumination
• Input functions
Various Interface Standards Exchange Format
• GKS ( Graphical KernelSystem)
• PHIGS (Programmer’s Hierarchical Interface for GraphicS)
• GKS -3D
• IGES (Initial Graphics ExchangeSpecification)
• DXF (Drawing eXchangeFormat)
• STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product ModelData)
• CALS (Continuous Acquisition and Life cycleSupport)
• ACIS ( *.sat ) [Alan, Charles, Ian's System]
• OpenGL –Open GraphicsLaboratory
• DMIS (Dimensional Measurement Interface Specification)
• VDI (Virtual Device Interface)
• CGI (Computer Graphics Interface)
• VDM (Virtual Device Metafile)
• CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile)
• GKSM (GKS Metafile)
• PDES (Product Data Exchange Standards)
• VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language)
Graphics Standards
Graphical Kernel System (GKS)
• The main objectives that were put forward for
GKS are :
– To provide the complete range of graphical facilities in
2D, including the interactive capabilities.
– To control all types of graphical devices such as
plotter and display devices in consistent manner.
– To be small enough for variety of programs.
 Standards for computer graphics-Need
for graphic standards

• Need for portability of the geometric model among

different hardware platforms.

• Exchange drawing database among software packages.

• Need for exchanging graphic data between different
computer system.
• Need for the requirement of graphic data exchange
formats and their details such as IGES ,DXF,STEP.
 Four Types of Modeling Data Used
in Product Description

❑ Shape data contains information of both geometrical and

topographical information along with surface features.

❑ Non-shape data contains shade images and model global

data.
❑ Design data
❑ Manufacturing data
 Requirements for the Exchange
• Shape data: both geometric and topological information, part
or form features. Fonts, color, annotation are considered part of
the geometric information.
• Non-shape data: graphics data such as shaded images, and
model global data as measuring units of the database and the
resolution of storing the database numerical values.
•Design data: information that designers generate from geometric
models for analysis purposes. Mass property and finite element
mesh data belong to this type of data.
•Manufacturing data: information as tooling, NC tool paths,
tolerancing, process planning, tool design, and bill of materials
(BOM).
Classification of CAD Standards

• Graphics Standards
– GKS, PHIGS, NAPLPS, GKS 3D, IGES
• Images Exchange Standards
– Open GL
• Data Exchange Standards
– IGES,STEP,DXF,STL,CALS,PDES,VRML,CGM
• Communication Standards
– LAN,WAN,CGI,VDI,
 Graphics standard
❑ Focus of this standard is that the application program should
be device independent and should interface to any input
device handler and to any graphics display through a device
driver.

❑ The graphics system is divide into two parts ; Kernel system

which is hardware-independent and the device handler /driver
,which is naturally hardware-dependent.

❑ Kernel system act as buffer between the application program

and the specific hardware to ensure the independent and
portability of the program .
Graphics standard
Graphics standards in graphics programming
 Graphics Kernel system

❑ GKS is basically a set of procedure which can be

called by user programs to carry out certain
generalized functions such as arc,circle,ellipse etc.

❑ It is a standardized system of graphical functions for

processing graphical data to create and process 2D
images.

❑ GKS implementations have been made by many

hardware manufactures in many languages.
Layer Model of GKS
 Features of GKS

❑It is an independent device ,it can work with all types

of input and output devices.

❑All text and annotation can be prepared and stored in

natural languages.
❑Graphic functions are defined for both 2D and 3D
❑GKS defines an international coordinate system
called normalized device coordinate system .
Classifications of GKS
1. Control functions
2. Output attributes
3. Output primitives
4. Segment functions
5. Transformations
6. Input functions
7. Metafile functions
8. Inquiry functions
 Output primitives & Output attributes

❑ Circle is a primitives
❑ Attributes may be color, line width and line types

Examples
• POLYLINE

• POLYMARKER

• TEXT

• FILLAREA
 GKS Inquiry Functions

❑ Functions are used to find the current status of any

variable in GKS.
❑ It is mainly used to isolate the predefined values of
variables if anything is required.

❑ Example : transformation and clippings

GKS Input Functions
❑ A set of functionality is defined in the category is
known as input functions.

❑ The devices which are connected in a graphic

system are to act an input element such as tablets,
mouse, keyboard and joystick.

Metafile functions
❑ Files to store, retrieve and display the graphical data
to handle device independent formats.
PHIGS : Programmer’s Hierarchical Interface for Graphics
Open GL –image exchange using Open GL
Data Exchange Standards
 IGES
(Initial Graphics Exchange Specification)

❑ First developed by National Institute of Standards and

Technology (NIST) in 1980.
❑ Then adopted by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) in the same year. exchanges primarily
shape (both geometric and topological) and non-shape
data, which is referred as CAD-to-CAD exchange.
Development of IGES
Initial Graphics Exchange
Specification (IGES)
• IGES is the most comprehensive standard and is
designed to transmit the entire product definition
including that of manufacturing and any other
associated information.
• IGES has three data types.
– Geometric (Product Shape, Curve, Surface & Solid)
– Annotations (Dimensions , Notes, Labels, GD&T)
– Structure (Views, Visuals, Properties , Macros)
IGES Data interchange Format
 IGES
(Initial Graphics Exchange Specification)

❑ codes a superset of common entities of all CAD/CAM

systems to facilitate the translation between various
systems.
IGES - File Structure
• Optional
Flag Section • ASCII/Binary/Compressed ASCII

• Man Readable Prologue

Start Section • Initialize IGES file

• Details of Product
Global Section • Drafting Standards Used

• Index for File

Directory Section • Color, Line Type etc

Parameter Entry • Geometry, Annotation & Structure

Section
• Subtotals of Record in every sections
Terminate Section
 Flag section

❑ Used only with the compressed ASCII and binary format.

❑ IGES data in a file can be represented in two formats:

ASCII and binary (ASCII - American Standard Code for
Information Interchange).

❑ ASCII format comprises two types : fixed 80-

character record length and compressed format .

❑ Compressed format contains compressed file by

eliminating spaces from the records.
 Start section
Provides a human –readable description of the file, such
as the sending system that generated the original data, the
pre-processor ,and the product being described.

Global section
▪ Included information telling the pre-processor and
information needed by the post –processor to interpret
the files.
▪ Some item specified example : the data and time of the
file generation .
 Directory Entry section
❑ Is a list of all the entities together with certain of their attributes.

❑ All product definition data are expressed as a list of predefined

entities (geometry and annotation entitles ) .

❑ Entry each entity occupies two 80 –character records that are

divide into a total of twenty 8-character fields .

❑ First and the eleventh field contains entity type number .

❑ Second field contains pointer to the Parameter data entry for the
entity in the parameter data section.

❑ Remain entity will contain (line fonts ,layer number,

transformation matrix ).
 Parameter data section
▪ Section contains the actual data defining each entity listed in the
directory entry section .
▪ Example: straight line entity is defined by the 6 coordinates its two
end points .
▪ Each entity always has two records in the directory entry section
and number of records need for each entity in the parameter data
section.
▪ Parameter data is placed in free format of columns 1 through 64.
▪ Column 65 left blank.
▪ Columns 66 to 72 on all parameter data records contain the
entity pointer specified in the first record of the entity in the data
entry section.
 Terminate data section
Sectioncontains a single record which specifies the
number of records in each of the four preceding sections
for checking purpose .
IGES - Geometry Entities
IGES - Annotation Entities
IGES - Structure Entities
Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)
DRAWING INTERCHANGE FORMAT (DXF)
• DXF into file formats that could be read and used by other CAD/CAM/CAE
files were originally developed to give user flexibility in managing data and
translating AutoCAD drawings ystems.

• DXF standard of interchanging CAD drawing files for almost all

CAD/CAM/CAE systems .

• In fact, almost every newly introduced CAD/CAM/CAE sytem tends to provide

translators to and form the DXF file.
Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)
• DXF format has been developed and
supported by Autodesk for use with the
AutoCAD drawing files.

• DXF file
can either be in an ASCII or a binary
format,depending on the software creating
it
Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)
DXF file is an ASCII test file and consist of five sections

• Header- describes the AutoCAD drawing environment that existed when

the DXF file was created.

• Table-contains information about line types, layers, text styles, and

views that have been defined in the drawing.

• Block-contains a list of graphic entities that are defined as a group.

• Entity –immediately follows the block section, and serves as the main
part of the DXF file, with all entities of the drawing described in it.

• Terminate-indicates the end of the file.

 Limitations of IGES and DXF

IGES and DXF files were developed to

exchange product definition data instead of
product data.
By product data we mean the data relevant to
entire life cycle of a product (e.g. design,
manufacturing, quality assurance, testing and
support).
STandards for the Exchange of
Product model data (STEP)
• The standard method of representing the information
necessary to completely define a product throughout its
entire life.
• i.e from the conceptual figure to the end of the product in
useful life.
• Standard methods for exchanging the data electronically
between two different systems.
STandards for the Exchange of
Product model data (STEP)
 STEP ARCHITECTURE

MECHANICAL
ELECTRICAL
AEC Application
PRODUCTS APPLICATION N
PRODUCTS PRODUCTS
layer

APPLICATION –SPECIFIC
Logical
GENERIC ENTITIES
ENTITIES
layer

Physical
FILE FORMAT AND DATASTRUCTURE
layer
 Three layers of STEP
• Application layer –consist of information of various application
areas.
• Logical layer-provide a consistent , computer-independent
description of the data constructs that contain information to be
exchanged.

• Physical layer –deals with the data structures and data format for
exchange file itself.

• EXPRESS is a formal data specification

language used to specify the representation of product
information.
 Standard for the Exchange of Product
model data
• The goal was to define a standard to cover all aspects of a
product (i.e. geometry, topology, tolerances, materials, etc.),
during its lifetime.

• Fundamental difference in IGES and STEP .

• The central unit of data exchange in the IGES model is the entity.
• The central unit of data exchange in the STEP model is the
application, which contains various types of entities.

• Data is exchanged between systems it is done in terms of

application units.
STEP Example – Sheet metal Die Planning & Design
 PDES (Product Data Exchange Standard)
(then Product Data Exchange Using STEP)
• STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) is a
new International Standard (ISO 10303) for representing and
exchanging product model information.

• Support any industrial application such as mechanical, electric,

plant design, and architecture and engineering construction.

• To include all four types of data which is relevant to the entire

life- cycle of a product: design, analysis, manufacturing,
quality assurance, testing, support, etc.
▪ PDES is a much more comprehensive and complex standard
than IGES or any other predecessors

▪ The user interface is not as simple as “put IGES” and “get

IGES.”
 Why is STEP better than IGES?
▪ STEP is newer technology, where IGES which is older 1990's
technology, that has not been updated in over 20 years.
▪ STEP files tend to be solid models, where IGES files are more
often surface models, which could have gaps and missing
faces.
▪ STEP is a mature file format, it has been available for over 20
years with continual development and wide adoption between
CAD vendors.
▪ STEP is widely used, and is even used in the construction
industry, the IFC file format is a version of STEP.
 What's wrong with using IGES files?
❑ Technically there's nothing wrong with using the IGES format, however,
IGES files tend to be surface models, and often get translated with gaps
between the surfaces, missing faces and in some instances surfaces with
faces in the wrong orientation. While there is an IGES standard for
solids (IGES-MSBO), it is not often used.

❑ When a user creates an IGES file, they are translating their native CAD
file into the IGES format. When this file is shared, it is imported into the
next CAD package and is translated again. File translations, could
potentially bring in inaccuracies in the geometry.

❑ The benefit of using the Native CAD file, is that it only requires
translation, which is theoretically more accurate.
 Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support
CALS
▪ It was developed by US department of defense.
▪ It prescribes the formats for storage and exchange of technical data.
▪ Focuses mainly technical publications ,
Important CALS standards:
▪ Standard generalized markup language (SGML) is an important
standard, developed in 1960s IBM . It has the document
description language.
▪ Computer graphics metafile (CGM) is next important standard,
developed in 1986 it is used for the vector file format for
illustrations and drawings.
Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support
CALS
▪ CALS is an attempt to integrate text, graphics and image data
into standard document architecture.

▪ All technical publications for the federal government must

conform to the CALS standard.

▪ CALS has also come into wide use in the commercial

computer industry such as in CAD/CAM applications and in
the aerospace industry which owes a large part of its business
to government and military contracts.
Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support
CALS
▪ Two types of CALS raster formats as defined by MIL-STD-
28002A.
▪ TYPE I –raster data files contain single
monochrome image compressed using CCITT encoding
algorithm .

▪ TYPE II – image file contain one or two monochrome images

which are also stored using CCITT encoding algorithm.
Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support
CALS

▪ Type I file format consist of the following

▪ Header
▪ Image data
▪ Type II file format looks similar to the format given
below. Header
▪ Document profile Presentation styles Document
layout Root layout
Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support
CALS

I. File details I. FiguerID

II. Header record data block II. SourceGraph
III.Image record identifiers III.Docclass
IV.SourceDocId IV.Raser type
V. DestDocId V. Orientation
VI.Text File ID VI.Pelcount
VII.Density
Dimensional Measurement
Interface Specification (DMIS)
• A new standard communication being
established by CAM-I for Manufacturing.
• Used to identify and develop industrial
automation standards.
Types of Translators
• Direct Translators.
– Translating the CAD data directly from one CAD/CAM
system to another, in a single step.
• Indirect Translators.
– Translate the CAD data from one native format to
another neutral file which is independent of any
existing CAD/CAM system, that all systems can
interpret and understand.
Types of Translators
Direct Translator Indirect Translator

CAD A

Neutral
CAD D File
CAD B

CAD C