CATIA Version 5 is available on both Windows NT and on UNIX. The delivery of the Windows NT-style user interface on UNIX helps to keep user productivity high on either platform.
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The software's core technology facilitates the capture and re-use of corporate engineering know-how, turning implicit practices into explicit knowledge and sharing it across the enterprise.
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The adherence to the OLE standard in CATIA Version 5 on NT eases the integration of product development with other parts of a business such as office applications.
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The wizard and other advanced features of Version 5 greatly increase user productivity such as automatic generation of 2D documentation.
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IBM and Dassault Systemes' CATIA Version 5 provides companies with a single system image and a platform-independent solution that is scalable across all levels of expertise. This latest version expands scalability across process, function, and platform; delivering the appropriate solution to the desktop of every team member in the product development chain. Tailored solutions meet the needs of a broad range of users, from the small supplier shop to the largest international OEM. The goal of this version is to provide an environment in which all aspects of the product development process — from product definition and manufacturing operation to plant definition — can be simulated and communicated digitally.
The software's native OLE and Internet/intranet Web compliance facilitates electronic-business digital integration within the office and across the extended enterprise. This allows different departments to share data with the simplicity of drag and drop or cut and paste. For engineering integration, Version 5 adheres to STEP part and product definition standards not only for the inputting and outputting of data, but within the product itself. To ensure smooth process integration, CATIA also uses the CORBA model. In addition, by using Visual Basic as a means of application extension, it is possible to integrate CATIA into the business using the same programming language used to customize other business applications.
Version 5 allows users to capture and re-use engineering knowledge and leverage it to implement generative, rule-based product development processes. The software acts as an expert advisor, guiding users through product development tasks and warning of possible mistakes or conflicts.
This latest version of CATIA is based on scaleable native Windows NT and UNIX
using the 'Single System Image' architecture pioneered by Version 4. This allows users to have access to the same data, function, delivery, environment, and support regardless of platform.
The Generative Drafting function automatically creates associative drawings from 3D mechanical designs and assemblies. Photo-realistic images are produced through the use of technological material textures by the Real Time Rendering tool.
The Knowledge Advisor function combines the power of explicit rules, which define product behavior, with interactive capture of design intent as the product is developed. This 'smart modeling' technology allows companies to optimize the entire product development process while retaining control over change propagation. It assists in making correct decisions and reaching optimum, error-free designs in less time.
CATIA also offers user-friendly, designer-oriented, part stress and modal analysis for early part prevalidation. Generative Part Structural Analysis provides the engineer with finite element analysis prevalidation and enables them the ability to create quick, innovative free-form shape design deformation using CATIA's Smart Shape Designer tools. Advanced function extends the shape and surface modeling functions to morphing complex, multisurface shapes.
Version 5's navigation tool allows users
to 'fly through' 3D digital mockups for a thorough inspection. Regardless of the model's size, Space Analysis can accomplish high-speed interference checking computations, measurement, and realtime section viewing. The Fitting Simulation func-tion simulates mounting and dismounting operations for pre-validation during design of assembly and maintenance procedures.
IBM and the ENOVIA Corp.'s ENOVIAvpm (Virtual Product Model) can be used with CATIA as a common database to share product knowledge across the extended enterprise. This software integrates directly with CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM tools to capture the engineering knowledge at a very granular level. It stores and manages a network of technological relationships that describe the dependencies between products, their related manufacturing processes and resources.
Addressing the needs of wider categories of users, CATIA Version 5 offers a range of solutions spanning a spectrum of productive, easy-to-use, process centric applications. It delivers next-generation applications that expand the breadth of Version 4 offerings. This will impact all the disciplines CATIA addresses, including mechanical design, shape design and styling, manufacturing, analysis and simulation, equipment and systems engineering, plant design, and ship building.
