Integration of history-based parametric translators using the automation APIs

Abstract

In this paper, a history-based parametric method was proposed and implemented. However, the size of each translator that exchanges the feature and parametric information tends to be large, due to the implementation of duplicated functions. Furthermore, because a history-based parametric translator uses a procedural model as a neutral format, it requires a geometric modelling kernel to generate an internal explicit geometric model. To solve this problem, we implemented a shared integration platform, TransCAD system, which separates translators from a neutral file. The translators for commercial CAD systems can communicate with only TransCAD. To support communication with TransCAD, we exposed the functions of TransCAD by using Automation APIs developed by Microsoft. Each translator uses Automation APIs of TransCAD either to translate a parametric CAD model from the sending CAD system into XML format or to translate from the XML format into the model of the receiving CAD system. This paper introduces the TransCAD system and its function for the exchange of feature and parametric models. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.