Review after first large project with Spaceclaim

A few days ago, we actually rolled out the first project I did (almost) completely in Spaceclaim. It was a fully functional roadworthy concept car interior. As the dust settles, here is one short review.

I was surprised how much I used Spaceclaim during this project, as it was meant to be an addition, more or less a data-turntable to communicate and modify model data.

As this model was pretty large, I never loaded all the components at once. I had sub assemblies of all the parts such as the steering wheel, the instruments, the dashboard, the infotaiment and climate control, the center console and so on. I only loaded adjacent parts as reference geometry when needed, else I tried to load as few as possible to keep everything fluid.

There were a few modeling tasks I was not able to do in SC, so I exported the questionable parts and did that somehere else, then reimported. This happened for things like non radial fillets and complex transitions between parts and faces. I always kept the SC model as the master data, though.

I got some basic concept data from styling in which I modelled new parts as development went on. Some features styling was not able to do in Catia could be done in SC, for example oddly intertsecting faces that were connected by rounds.

Handling of files from styling which had to be modified according to engineering requirements worked pretty good. SCs ability to extend faces was a valuable feature, when stylings faces were not sufficiently large. The repair tools also helped a lot, when incoming data was not watertight, though with growing complexity towards the end, I had to rebuild a few parts in SC because they were not editable any more after repairing.

Creating overview drawings was a bit tricky because of the size of the model. I created a dedicated overview assembly file and only added the relevant parts (that is the visible ones), because on overview drawings you do not see any details anyway.

I just checked: all together would have been 350 to 400MB in size, though any assembly open at any one time was probably no more than maybe 70 to 80MB. I do not talk reference data of the car body here, as I did not actually work on them, I just stripped them down to the reference faces I needed and loaded them when needed. This project was about the interior and the human interface elements only.

Making drawings of the individual parts was quite easy. Caution is required when using parts that already have a drawing with them in different assemblies, as it seems that they do not display properly if not opened in the context they were created in. I do not understand this 100%, but there appears to be a problem with the hierarchy of the assembly. Once created and liked to a part, I would expect part drawings to display just the same no matter when or where I open them.

I have been exchanging files with companies, clients and departments that use Catia5, SolidWorks, Pro/e. ICEM, Alias and FormZ, as well as the electronic department with their printed circuit board logic and layout software.

Exchaning files has been working much better than before the introduction of SC here. I have had almost no difficulties with reading incoming files and only few complaints from contractors with outgoing files being not properly readable. All data could be properly read by the customer.

Interesting enough, there are still systems on the production floor that require DXF data input. SC provides acceptable 2D DXF export, but there is also 3D DXF, and SC does not create these at all. Here I see room for improvement. Receipients of such files are e.g. 3D laser cutting booths, or the architects, who want 3D DXF files to load into their line-wall-and-block based systems, and who have seemingly chosen poor old DXF 12 as their common ground. They cannot deal with the likes of IGES, ACIS or STEP at all.

Also room for improvement could be found in 3D PDF. If models get more complex and parts intersect, intersecting solids sometimes do not get displayed in the 3D PDF. Else the 3D PDF is a fine tool to have when communicating with customers or asking for subcontractors for quotations.

If PDF export could create a printable drawing in 2D PDF when exporting a drawing sheet, and a 3D PDF Model when exporting a Model, it would be even better. Printing and PDF resolution of shaded parts on paper formats larger than US letter could also need improvement to create more professionally looking drawings.

Despite some ciriticism, all in all it was still an improvement. If SC development goes on like that, it is very promising.

Martin