TransMagic

TransMagic is a commercial computer program that converts computer-aided design (CAD) files from one
native file format to another. During the translation process, TransMagic performs “geometry mapping”,
mapping from one CAD kernel to another. During the conversion, TransMagic avoids what are known as
“stitching errors” by repairing geometry via techniques such as correcting slightly overlapping or misaligned
surfaces, removing duplicate control points, and duplicate vertices.[1][2]

Contents
Overview
Supported file types
See also
Notes
External links

Overview
A large number of CAD programs are on the market,
among them Autodesk Inventor, Cobalt, Form-Z,
Pro/ENGINEER, and SolidWorks. With rare exceptions,
each program saves data files (2D and 3D drawings and 3D
solid models) in its own native file format. Since major
CAD programs are expensive—several thousand dollars or
more—and require great skill and time to master, it is
common for individuals and companies to own just one type
of program. The existence of many different file types
presents no problems when engineers and designers share
files within an organization that has standardized upon a
common CAD program. However, file-transfer problems
can arise when files must be shared with outside individuals
who are using a different type of CAD program.[3][4]

The typical work-around when sharing files with an outside

organization is to export the file using two open-file-type
standards: IGES, which was released in 1980 by the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (then
known as the National Bureau of Standards), and STEP, An original file of a handle in Autodesk Inventor
released in 1984/85. The proprietary file format DXF is also
a common file format for exchange.

When a file is exported by one CAD program into an intermediate file format and opened in another CAD
program, it is not unusual for translation errors to occur.[3] This inability to reliably transfer files between
disparate programs is especially problematic with 3D solid modeling software, because of behind-the-scenes
technical complexities that arise whenever complex surfaces abut or blend into each other; surfaces no longer
align or some features do not translate due to the way CAD
programs employ different approaches to handling certain
object classes.[3][4] To minimize translation errors,
TransMagic typically—but not always—translates directly
from one native CAD kernel to another. Still, “stitching
errors” (gaps and overlaps) can occur while trying to import
the file and reinterpret geometry. TransMagic's “Auto
Repair Wizard” corrects these flaws while translating the
file.[2]

TransMagic is available as a stand-alone program. It is also

available as a plug-in for many CAD programs so that the
Open and Save dialog boxes are extended with
TransMagic's functionality.

Supported file types

As of September 2010, TransMagic reads and writes to the
following file types:
The same file opened from within SolidWorks
using the TransMagic plug-in
Supported read formats
Format Extension
*.model, *.exp, *.dat, *.session,
CATIA V4
sequential files
CATIA V5 *.CATpart, *.CATproduct, *.cgr
Autodesk Inventor *.ipt, *.iam
Pro/ENGINEER *.prt, *.asm
SolidWorks *.sldasm, *.sldprt
NX (Unigraphics) *.prt
ACIS *.sat, *.sab, *.asf, *.asat, *asab
JT *.jt, *.j_t
Parasolid *.x_t
IGES *.igs
STEP *.stp
HOOPS Meta File *.hmf
HOOPS
*.hsf
Streaming File
PLY *.ply
Stereo
*.stl
Lithography
OBJ *.obj

Supported write formats

Format Extension
CATIA V4 *.model
 CATIA V5 *.CATpart, *.CATproduct
ACIS *.sat, *.sab, *.asf, *.asat, *asab
JT *.jt
Parasolid *.x_t, *.x_b, *.xmt_txt, *.xmb_txt
IGES *.igs, *.iges
STEP *.stp, *.step
HOOPS Meta File *.hmf
HOOPS Streaming File *.hsf
NGRAIN *.3ko
PLY *.ply
Stereo Lithography *.stl
HTML *.htm
OBJ *.obj

See also
List of file formats
List of file formats (alphabetical)
List of CAD programs
Comparison of CAD editors for CAE

Notes
1. TransMagic, Inc.: Products (http://www.transmagic.com/products)
2. TimeCompression.com: Cool hunting in CAD (http://www.timecompression.com/articles/cool-h
unting-in-cad) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20100618014814/http://www.timecompres
sion.com/articles/cool-hunting-in-cad) 2010-06-18 at the Wayback Machine
3. Desktop Engineering: TransMagic R7 expands options for reusing designs in 3D multi-CAD
environments (http://www.deskeng.com/articles/aaagfh.htm)
4. Examiner.com: Auto suppliers suffer heavy burden of industry's multiple CAD systems (http://w
ww.examiner.com/automotive-technology-in-detroit/auto-suppliers-suffer-heavy-burden-of-indu
stry-s-multiple-cad-systems)

External links
National Institute of Standards and Technology: The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
(IGES) (https://www.webcitation.org/66meP6swl?url=http://www.nist.gov/el/msid/standards.cfm)
TransMagic, Inc.: Home page (https://web.archive.org/web/20100922182325/http://www.transm
agic.com/transmagic-home-page)
WikiSTEP.org (http://www.wikistep.org/index.php/Main_Page) (public and free content about
the international standard ISO 10303 known as STEP)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TransMagic&oldid=889636433"

This page was last edited on 26 March 2019, at 23:48 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this
site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.