Having spent 20 years working on SDKs [software development kits] for desktop software, the Open Design Alliance last year began adding a Web browser-based SDK to its offerings. (The ODA develops software that lets CAD vendors and corporations access data in CAD files -- such as AutoCAD DWG, MicroStation DGN, and Revit RVT.)
Web SDK: The Genesis
ODA president Neil Peterson called me to update the readers of upFront.eZine on the new Web SDK for building browser-based CAD and BIM [building information modeling] applications, including collaboration tools.
Mr Peterson immediately acknowledged that there are numerous companies already providing APIs [application programming interfaces] that work with servers and browsers. But. The genesis of the ODA’s Web SDK sprang from a range of complaints ODA members made about existing services.
(An API lets programmers access data and perform functions from an established platform, such as Autodesk's Forge. An SDK makes it easier for programmers write their own special-purpose software.)
The primary problem is that current services are offered as SaaS [software as a service], where "service" means pay-as-you-go, paying for servers rented by the SaaS company and paying for APIs that might or might not meet the needs of customers. Mr Peterson did not want to name competitors.
The complaints from ODA members fall into these categories:
- Control over data: SaaS providers usually store customer data on third-party servers; this is a barrier when firms need to maintain IP[intellectual property] internally.
- Cost: SaaS providers often charge per API call; this can become unexpectedly expensive when users aren't aware of the costs they are incurring.
- Lack of flexibility: In some cases, SaaS is developed on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, meaning it might not meet the specific needs of customers.
As a result, the ODA is approaching its service from the opposite direction:
- Full control: ODA offers its new Web SDK as a technology, not as a service. This means that members build their own services, which can be deployed on a commercial cloud service like Google or Amazon, but more importantly on private networks.
- No cost: ODA offers Web SDK free to members who are at the Sustaining level and higher, with unlimited use.
- Flexibility: ODA offers extreme flexibility by providing the full source code to top level members, but all members can input their wishes.
The catch: Web SDK is not yet fully developed.
Web SDK: Future Plans
ODA's Web SDK consists of three components, one of which is mostly ready now:
- Viewing (see figure 1)
- Data access
- Automation
Figure 1: Viewing a 3D DWG file in the Web app
The ODA is moving fast, putting out a new release every four weeks. This is in contrast to its desktop APIs, which have two releases a year. The speed is partly due to the need to catch up, and partly due to "this is the way it is now expected."
Viewing (available now). The client-server viewing API runs in WebGL-compatible browsers, which nowadays is nearly all Web browsers. Files are stored on the server and then streamed to browsers. The viewer works with all formats supported by the ODA, such as DWG, Microstation, Navisworks, IFC, and PDF. A demo available on the ODA's Web site.
The ODA plans to release markup editing in June. Markups are saved to the ODA's own VSF format -- Visualize Stream Format -- which is optimized for faster performance and smaller file space. The ODA plans to add versioning to the format -- which can be read by anyone else using this technology. Clash detection and all other functions found in the desktop Visualize API will be added later.
Common data access (under development). This API accesses the structure of the model by querying properties down to the object level, such as geometry and materials. It is due by the end of the year.
Automation (under development). This API is a framework for running server-side commands, such as converting a thousand DWG files to PDF in the background.
Web SDK: Q&A
Ralph Grabowski: I seem to recall that some of this was mentioned at last fall's Prague conference?
Neil Peterson: We previously called it Web Visualize, so what you heard about was the viewing component. What is new is that we broadened the scope: it is now a platform for development -- not just a viewer.
Ralph Grabowski: Do you plan to be able to edit drawings in the browser?
Neil Peterson: It is on the agenda for the future, the real editing of CAD models. We know how to do it, but it takes time to implement.
Ralph Grabowski: How is printing handled?
Neil Peterson: Printing is done by publishing to PDF and 3D PDF. We also have STL export for 3D printing.
Grabowski: There are several vendors who offer the same sort of service. Are you working with any other company on this?
Peterson: On this, we are not working with anyone else. We are doing this entirely on our own. As no one is dominant in this area, we see this as an opportunity, particularly with our licensing model.
Grabowski: Are you getting greater interest from CAD vendors or from corporations for this technology?
Peterson: Both CAD vendors and corporate members are interested. They are trying it out, giving us suggestions, and keeping an eye on what's happening.
Grabowski: If you don't charge for this SDK, how do you make money from it?
Peterson: Our mission is not to make money, as we are a non-profit. Our mission is to develop software for our members, and this is now one of the highest demands from members.
We are creating a new Special Interest Group for Web SDK, which will allow members to fast-track development in specific areas. When a company joins the SIG, they provide us with funding, which is applied 100% to hire additional developers focused on priorities set by SIG members. We have done this in other areas, and have found that it’s a way for companies to speed up and guide new development for our technology.
Grabowski: Is a demo available to try out the viewer?
Peterson: You can view demo 2D drawings and 3D models in a variety of formats at cloud.opendesign.com. (See figure 2.) Once a file is loaded, right-click for the menu to access the explode, isolate, and other options. The object explorer window comes up when you click on the tree icon at the top right.
Figure 2: The initial screen of the file viewer
You can upload your own files under Main Menu/MyFiles, but for this you need to register with your email address.
www.opendesign.com/products/web-sdk
The annual ODA conference this year takes place September 10-11 in Milan, Italy. For information on attending, check out conference.opendesign.com/. |
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Siemens Digital Industries updates Kineo robotics simulation software:
- KineoWorks for trajectory simulation
- Flexible Cables for cable dress-pack simulation
- Collision Detector with new point cloud-wireframe tests
- Interact with new tools
community.plm.automation.siemens.com/t5/Knowledge-Base/KineoWorks-Version-7-0-Highlights/ta-p/577458
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"Preparing 3D (PRC) Models for Document Creation using ODA Publish." PRC is the format in which 3D PDF files get exported from CAD systems. www.opendesign.com/blog/2019/april/preparing-3d-prc-models-document-creation-using-oda-publish
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PC shipments in Q1:
#1. Lenovo up 6.9% to 13.2 million PCs
#2. HP Inc up 0.8% to 12.8 million
#3. Dell up 1.5% to 10.0 million
#4. Apple down 2.5% to 4.0 million
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This is a pretty interesting article from C3D Labs in which an astronaut speaks frankly about some of the issues of space travel. c3dlabs.com/en/sources/blog/?id=11
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Save-the-date notices going out for the annual Bricsys conference this year taking place in Stockholm, home of new owner Hexagon, Oct 9-10.
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The Discovery Live real-time simulation technology that PTC licensed from ANSYS for Creo 6 is being ported back to Creo 5 and Creo 4, and will be made available next month. Meanwhile, Creo 6.01 will be getting the additional live simulation functions, such as leverage mechanism load, and simulation bodies.
In other news from PTC, every third annual release of Creo will be a major one with long-term support, as illustrated by this road map:
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Re: Q&A With Mark Sawyer of Trimble
Could it be Trimble is expecting LayOut to be their "CAD" system?
- Dave Edwards
Dave Edwards Consulting
The editor replies: I suspect it is not robust enough to handle input of 3D data from Trimble's survey instruments.
Mr Edwards responds: SketchUp certainly isn't.
Re: DraftSight no longer free
It’s just my opinion, but considering Autodesk charges $400/year for AutoCAD LT and $1,610/year for AutoCAD, I think that DraftSight for $99/year is a bargain. If you need more advanced capabilities you now have more options available for DraftSight. Even for the more advanced users, DraftSight Premium for $499/year is less than 1/3 the price of AutoCAD.
- Sam Scholes, senior account manager Solidworks solutions
Go Engineer
The editor replies: I think the readers were expressing their disappointment at Dassault cutting off the free version. Something that has been free for many years suddenly would feel very expensive at $99 a year.
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