Benefits to working with ITI and CADIQ

Native model analysis

The model is not converted before analysis. It is loaded into a batch CAD session and analyzed in-place through the system’s programming interface (API). The mathematical evaluators used for analysis are the same as were used to create the model in the native CAD system and the same the CAD system uses for internal modeling and analysis operations. This offers the highest level of precision and user confidence in the diagnostic measurements.

Rapid support for CAD system releases

A CADIQ interface can be updated within 2-3 weeks of a CAD system release because we simply have to recompile and test it against the new version of the application programming interface (API). This enhancement can be quickly delivered to customers in a software hotfix. There is typically a significant delay in the support of new releases by the CAD file library vendors.

Integrated or standalone modes

CADIQ can be integrated into the customer’s CAD environment for native analysis of the major CAD formats: CATIA V4, CATIA V5, Pro/E, NX, SolidWorks, NX I-deas and CADDS 5i. It can also be installed as a standalone tool, with no CAD installing or license requirements, for analysis and viewing of neutral files: Parasolid, STEP and IGES.

Feature feedback

The CAD modeling features associated with each defect or change are identified and highlighted.

Comparison of models in different coordinate systems

When models are defined in different coordinate systems (common during manual remodeling) the user can interactively reorient them to be consistent and the analysis can be redone with this transformation data to provide the same detailed comparison as if the models were defined consistently.

Diagnostic results optimization

Diagnostic results which overlap, or can be considered redundant, are eliminated to optimize the feedback for the user.

Intelligent geometry sampling and deviation calculations

Faces and edges which are part of microscopic (unintentional) features such as narrow steps and sliver faces are ignored during geometry sampling to avoid false alarms (negligible changes) during comparison with a model that has had these defects removed (common with high-end BREP and feature translators). Likewise, smooth edges are not sampled since these can deviate significantly along a surface, or be removed altogether, during translation or remodeling without producing a shape change of any consequence relative to design intent.

Advanced topology matching is used to identify model geometry which is added or removed and therefore should not be included in sampling point deviation calculations to avoid misleading results. This topology matching information also optimizes the performance and accuracy of deviation calculations for models with significant topology changes where a "brute force" cloud of points method would likewise produce confusing or incorrect results.

Integrated shape and quality comparison

The shape and quality of the models can be compared in a seamless integration through configuration, analysis, statistical reporting and graphical viewing. Often the shape of models is equivalent but the quality, from a downstream reusability perspective, is very different.

Synchronized graphics display

The side-by-side graphical feedback is synchronized so that orientation/pan/zoom changes to one side are immediately replicated in the other so the two views remain consistent.

Configurable graphics controls

The user can quickly configure the graphics controls to behave like any of the major CAD systems thus avoiding the need to learn new controls.

Context View

When the user zooms in on a defect or change, a separate view identifies the location in the overall model.

Rapid diagnostic review

The user can quickly reorient the diagnostic graphics around each change or defect by double-clicking a diagnostic item listed in a panel next to the graphics display. Subsets of diagnostic graphics can be quickly highlighted and reviewed in a similar manner.

CAD system copy viewpoint macros

The current graphical view in CADIQ is automatically captured in a macro file that can be run in any major CAD system (CATIA V4, CATIA V5, Pro/E, NX or NX I-deas) with a single click on a CADIQ toolbar icon to orient the CAD system's view of the model to be the same. This enables the user to quickly begin working with the problem area in the CAD system.

Excel statistics

Batch analysis statistics are automatically exported to an Excel workbook which contains worksheets for data mining and charts for statistical quality control.

Custom reports

Users can create custom text or Excel reports using Python programming interfaces for CADIQ data queries.

Lightweight viewing

The diagnostic results are saved in a single file that can be viewed on any platform with a lightweight Viewer installation.

View and Markup

Diagnostic views can be saved by the user with custom names, comments and sequences. The transitions between them are animated to help the user maintain a sense of context. Any CADIQ user can modify these to enable clear communication, especially across organizational or international boundaries.

Neutral, long-term documentation

Any diagnostic view, with comments, can be saved as a neutral PNG (portable network graphics) image file for use in other applications. Future releases of CADIQ will be supporting 3D PDF report generation.

Multi-platform support

The entire CADIQ product (Analyzer and Viewer) is supported on the Windows 32-bit, Windows 64-bit, AIX, HP-UX and Solaris operating systems.

Graphical interface for batch analysis

Batch analysis jobs are created with a simple interface that provides real-time feedback as they are executed. Multiple jobs can be queued to automatically run in a sequence.

Analysis job templates

The CADIQ administrator can determine which kinds of analysis jobs a group of users can execute and can customize the job creation prompts.

Distributed, parallel analysis

The CADIQ Analyzer can execute multiple comparisons within a job using parallel, batch CAD processes on the local workstation (with multiple processors) and/or on a distributed network of workstations. The load balancing on the distributed workstations is fully configurable and customizable.

Pro/E family table support

CADIQ will automatically match and separately compare the family table instances in different versions of Pro/E family table models. Or a specific family table instance can be specified for quality analysis and/or comparison.

Complex modeling convention configuration

CADIQ can be configured to analyze only specified geometric entity types on specified layers as required by a company's modeling conventions. This is particularly important when a model contains multiple, overlapping representations of the product.

Comprehensive diagnostic configuration

The user can specify which diagnostics are executed, what thresholds are used for identifying unacceptable ("hot") and informational ("warm") conditions and how these are grouped and ranked ("levels"). The user can quickly show and hide the informational feedback in the Viewer.

STEP validation properties

During the comparison of a native model to a STEP model exported by any STEP translator, CADIQ can append validation properties (volume, area, centroid, sampling points) to the STEP file in a way that is officially endorsed by the STEP community. This enables any recipient of the STEP file (now or in the far future) to use these properties to validate that their imported CAD model is equivalent to the native CAD model, without requiring any CADIQ software.

Interoperability process comparison

The graphical, synchronized diagnostic feedback can be expanded to compare a model with two or three related models. This enables comparison of translation or migration processes for evaluation and selection purposes.

Complete command line interface

All analysis functions, both local and remote, can be controlled with command line interfaces. Real-time status feedback is available via IPC.

Mature product and company

CADIQ is a mature product (10 years) that has an established track record of production use by many aerospace and defense companies in the US, Europe and Asia. ITI has been in business for more than 25 years and is private, debt-free and profitable. We have strong partnerships that enable us to support customers worldwide.

Domestic, ITAR-compliant company

ITI TranscenData is a domestic US company and core members of the CADIQ team are US citizens so we are able to provide local, confidential support for customers using ITAR data.

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