Cadalyst - December 2007 - (Page 28)

cadlabsreview NX 5, Part 2 Enhancements in software architecture enable major improvements in assemblies, visualization, and drawings. By Jeffrey Rowe W ith more than 400 enhancements, there is no doubt that NX 5 is a major release for Siemens PLM Software (formerly UGS). In fact, it was so major that Cadalyst chose to split the review into two parts. In Part 1 last month, I covered some of the basic aspects of NX 5 with regard to what makes this release so significant, getting started with sketching and part modeling, as well as using collaborative design practices. In Part 2, I’ll cover assemblies, visualization, and drawings. Even though I was given the opportunity to review NX 5 in two parts, its many enhancements make it difficult to cover much beyond the highlights of this release. So, let’s get started with assemblies and move on other significant aspects of NX 5. Handling Assemblies For many MCAD packages, large-assembly (thousands of parts) performance is what separates the men from the boys. NX 5’s significant architectural enhancements are the basis for major improvements in largeassembly modeling. To further improve assembly performance, the Siemens JT data format was integrated into NX 5. JT simplifies the pervasive multi-CAD environment that most manufacturers now deal with and offers lightweight assembly design functions for faceted assem- Figure 1. NX 5 introduces major architectural changes that dramatically improve design functions and performance for large assemblies. NX assembly modeling uses Siemens PLM Software’s JT data format and Direct Modeling technology for lightweight, high-performance visualization and multi-CAD collaboration. Siemens NX 5 A– CAD/CAM/CAE Software A B+ A N/A A– A B A– A– accommodate varied workﬂows; interoperability. Cons: Some surfacing tasks can be challenging; requires Teamcenter for collaboration; some tools/functionality not as intuitive as they could be. Price: Starts at $9,900 Siemens PLM Software 800.498.5351 www.siemens.com/nx This version: . . . . . . . . . . Ease of use: . . . . . . . . . . . Features/capabilities: . . . Installation: . . . . . . . . . . . Customization: . . . . . . . . Interoperability: . . . . . . . Help/Documentation: . . . Innovation: . . . . . . . . . . . Value: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pros: Direct Modeling; relatively easy to change designs; different module options that 28 bly representations that improve performance when precise solid geometry isn’t required, such as in design reviews (figure 1). To a large extent, it is the JT format that improves NX 5’s large-assembly capacity and performance while reducing memory usage and rendering time. Siemens PLM Software claims that test cases with NX 5 have demonstrated at least a 60% reduction in memory usage and at least a 65% increase in display-frame rates for typical large assemblies. All in all, these represent pretty significant performance gains. In NX 5, assembly part files point to geometry and features in the subordinate parts, rather than creating duplicate copies of those objects at each level in the assembly. This technique not only minimizes the size of assembly parts files but also provides high levels of associativity. This enables users to modify the geometry of one component so that all assemblies that use the same component automatically reflect the change. These relationships affect assemblies and other associated objects such as drawings, tool paths, and CAE meshes. It’s common practice in assemblies for a particular part to be used in many places. Each usage is referred to as an instance, and the file containing the actual geometry for the component is called the component part. For example, a car assembly may have two axle subassemblies, each December 2007 | cadalyst | www.cadalyst.com http://www.siemens.com/nx http://www.siemens.com/nx http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - December 2007

Cadalyst - December 2007 Contents Editor's Window Cad Central Autodesk Gets Digital Top Honors - Saluting Outstanding CAD Products NX 5, Part 2 — CAD/CAM/CAE Software Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 —3D Modeling, Animation, and Rendering Software Document Management: Is It Still Valid? Standardizing 3D Modeling Nomenclature Share and Share Alike Cad Cartoon Issue Indexes Cad Fidential

Cadalyst - December 2007

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