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The increased use of mobile devices in engineering processes has the interesting side effect of requiring the engineering applications to share data with other systems. An Internet search for open systems and interoperability returns a common quote that, “Interoperability is the glue that holds open systems together.” This interoperability may be simply for visualization, but as usage grows more sophisticated, a much richer data set is required. For example, an engineering mash-up sourcing data from several systems may need to access geometric data accurately while preserving design intent.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process through which architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies use computer-generated 3D models to plan, manage and build building and other infrastructure projects.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) is certainly growing, and that too in multiple key regions.

The graph below (about the use of BIM for transportation infrastructure) also illustrates the rapid growth of BIM since 2015, especially in 2017 when BIM took over the majority of projects.

It is a competitive world out there, and additive manufacturing (AM) OEMs face pressures like all manufacturers to differentiate their products from their competitors. Why will an end user choose your machine over that of another supplier? While it may come down to features and ease of use, often the overriding criteria is how complete of a solution you can offer. In the AM world, completeness comes down to a question of how tightly coupled the software solution is to your machine, and how much of the process/workflow it can handle. In order to offer a complete solution, AM OEMs have taken a number of approaches: 

 A major benefit of constructing a building virtually is the cost savings gained by identifying errors in the design before they are found on site. One of the more common errors that can be avoided is when two objects overlap in space or clash. For example a beam that should stop at a wall may have been wrongly dimensioned so that when placed on site, it passes through the wall. Right through or only partly through, either way it is very costly to fix if it is only identified as the wall is being built .

We often focus the success of new partners, showcasing how Spatial helped with bringing a new product to market. But that focus overlooks the importance of the benefits and results of a decades-long partnership. It is time to celebrate nearly 30 years of market leadership of one of our oldest customers and the partnership that helped build it.

3D visualization is the process of using 3D visuals to analyze designs or scenarios.

We all understand that 3D visualization is a vital means to reduce errors and guarantee quality before the part or product is put into production.

3D visualization -- interchangeably used with 3D modeling, 3D graphics, 3D rendering and computer-generated imaging (CGI) -- is basically the use of 3D images to analyze designs.

3D computer-aided design (CAD) files are integral to today’s manufacturing processes. On the surface, the idea is sound: an engineering team will design a part and, in turn, will send the necessary 3D CAD files to the manufacturer to produce the part.