Experience in the exchange of procedural shape models using ISO 10303 (STEP)

The international standard ISO 10303 (STEP) is being extended to permit the exchange of procedurally defined shape models, with additional parameterization and constraint information, between CAD systems. The transfer of parameterized assembly models is an additional objective. Most of the essential new resources have already been published by ISO, and the remainder are well advanced in the standardization process. Because these are new capabilities, at present not quite complete, there are at present no commercial STEP translators making use of them. However, several proof-of-concept trials have been performed or are in progress, using development versions of the STEP documentation. This paper reports in some detail on one of those trials, and comments on the experience gained. The conclusion is that the standardized exchange of CAD models containing 'design intent' information has been successfully demonstrated, but that the development of translators for that purpose is not an easy task. One particular problem area is pinpointed, where further research is needed to find ways of improving the efficiency of such exchanges.

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