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FormatWorks

Powerful Data Translation Software for SolidWorks Designers

FormatWorks – SolidWorks Certified Gold product - extends the SolidWorks data translation capability to support CATIA V5 and V4 data and many other native and neutral CAD formats. The technology used in FormatWorks is based on propriety algorithms developed by Capvidia highly automates the whole process and provide accurate and reliable CAD data translation to and from SolidWorks.

FormatWorks simplifies the import to SolidWorks adding the automatic repair and healing which ensures that imported models meet SolidWorks’ criteria and form valid solids. This repair is always performed within the model tolerance while maintaining original model integrity and preventing model deformation.

 

Michael Fernando, Tool & Die Designer, Theta Industries Inc.
Sometimes we receive corrupted files.  With FormatWorks, corrupted files are translated and we end up with a better quality file.

Michael Fernando, Tool & Die Designer, Theta Industries Inc.


FormatWorks Features

Support of latest CAD formats revisions

Identifying ErrorsFormatWorks 2009 supports the latest revisions of native formats (CATIA V5 up to R19, Pro/E Wildfire 4, UG 18 NX6, Inventor 12, Parasolid 20, CATIA 4.2.4 and many others) and widens range of supported entities for neutral formats like STEP, IGES & VDA-FS. FormatWorks can import the following:

  • CATIA V4 (.model, .exp / up to 4.2.4)
  • CATIA V5 (.CATPart, CATProduct / up to R19)
  • Unigraphics (.prt / up to 18, NX6)
  • Pro/E (up to Wildfire 4)
  • Parasolid (up to 20)
  • ACIS
  • Inventor (up to 12)
  • STEP
  • IGES (5.x - 6.x)
  • VDA-FS
  • AutoForm (.af, .afm)
  • STL
  • VRML

Automatic and Manual Repair

Import CATIA filesFormatWorks offers automatic repair & healing eliminating possible incompatibilities preventing SolidWorks to form valid solids. Combined with the manual repair tools, it provides the best solution for SolidWorks users to quickly and easily get valid models. It resolves frustrating problems such as: surfaces that won’t knit together, model errors, deformation, and unusable models when using standard SolidWorks import tools.

Model Simplification and Feature Translation

Feature TranslationFormatWorks includes model simplification functions and supports automatic feature recognition. SolidWorks features such as holes, cuts, chamfers, fillets, extrusions, ribs can be identified within the translation process. The imported models are easily editable in SolidWorks.

PMI support for native CATIA V5, Pro/E and UGX

Extended support of PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) from native CATIA V5, Pro/E and UGX provide direct access to manufacturing information stored together with the 3D data.

Model Preview and Selective Translation

The improved Preview-Select-Translate mode is an ideal solution for working with large native parts and complex assemblies.

Batch translation with 3D Model Diagnosis

Allows you to set-up batch translation options, define files and folders to be processed, monitor the translation process, diagnose quality of translated CAD models and analyzes translation results with possible graphical visualization of reported 3D model inconsistencies. It gives user unprecedented automation and control over the whole process, drastically simplifying translation of large and complex CAD data sets.

Multi-core processing

The entire FormatWorks 2009 product suite now supports parallel processing giving SolidWorks users a significant performance boost (50% for Core Duo).

64-bit version

FormatWorks 2009 products are available in 32- or 64-bit versions.

Export Formats

FormatWorks can export the following file types:

  • CATIA V4 (.model, .exp / 4.2.4)
  • CATIA V5 (.CATPart, CATProduct / up to R19)
  • Parasolid (up to 20)
  • ACIS
  • STEP
  • IGES (5.x - 6.x)
  • VDA-FS
  • AutoForm (.af, .afm)
  • STL
  • VRML

 

FormatWorks Products

FormatWorks 2009 Ultimate is a web-based CAD data translation solution supporting all CAD data formats over Capvidia data translation server.  You don’t need to buy expensive data translators for each specific CAD data format. You simply have access to all of them.  Your SolidWorks seat will not be tied up during data translation; you just start the translation process while continuing to do your normal SolidWorks activities. 

FormatWorks 2009 Standard is a classic solution which you can configure with data translators of your choice. It provides automatic repair & healing tools operating in express or advanced repair mode. Error classification and simple easy to use manual repair tools help you to convert your models into solids with just a few mouse clicks. 

FormatWorks 2009 Professional adds powerful features such as Model Preview with Selective Translation suitable for importing large CATIA assembles into SolidWorks. It includes the Batch Mode that automates translation of large and complex CAD data sets.

FormatWorks 2009 Server is a client-server solution. It includes a powerful data translation server that can be connected to number of lightweight clients installed on SolidWorks seats.  It contains all features available in FormatWorks Standard and Professional.

 

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Certified
Gold Product
This product is a SolidWorks Certified Gold product which provides a fully integrated, single-window associativity with the latest version of SolidWorks software.