Girish Mahajan (Editor)

C3D

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Original author(s)
  
ASCON

Development status
  
Active

Developer(s)
  
C3D Labs

C3D

Initial release
  
1995; 22 years ago (1995)

Stable release
  
V2016 / March 2, 2016; 11 months ago (2016-03-02)

Preview release
  
100127 / February 15, 2017; 17 days ago (2017-02-15)

C3D is a geometric modeling kernel originally developed by ASCON Group, now by C3D Labs, using C++ and written in Visual Studio. The C3D kernel used in software products as the component responsible for geometric model construction and constructed model control. It can be licensed by other companies for use in their 3D computer graphics software products. The most widely known software in which geometric kernels, like C3D, are typically used are computer aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer-aided engineering (CAE) systems.

Contents

As the software development tool, C3D incorporates four CAD modules: 3D modeling, 3D constraint solving, 3D visualization, and 3D file conversions:

  • C3D Modeler constructs geometric models, generates flat projections of models, performs triangulations, calculates the
    inertial characteristics of models, and determines whether collisions occur between the elements of models;
  • C3D Modeler for Teigha enables advanced 3D modeling operations through the Teigha's standard "OdDb3DSolid" API from the Open Design Alliance;
  • C3D Solver makes connections between the elements of geometric models, and considers the geometric constraints of models being edited;
  • C3D Vision controls the quality of rendering for 3D models using mathematical apparatus and software, and the workstation hardware;
  • C3D Converter reads and writes geometric models in a variety of standard exchange formats.
  • History

    Nikolai Golovanov is a graduate of the Mechanical Engineering department of Bauman Moscow State Technical University as a designer of space launch vehicles. Upon his graduation, he began with the Kolomna Engineering Design bureau, which at the time employed the future founders of ASCON, Alexander Golikov and Tatiana Yankina. While at the bureau, Mr Golovanov developed software for analyzing the strength and stability of shell structures.

    In 1989, Alexander Golikov and TatianaYankina left Kolomna to start up ASCON as a private company. Although they began with just an electronic drawing board, even then they were already conceiving the idea of three-dimensional parametric modeling. This radical concept eventually changed flat drawings into three-dimensional models. The ASCON founders shared their ideas with Nikolai Golovanov, and in 1996 he moved to take up his current position with ASCON. Today he continues to develop algorithms in C3D.

    The most significant improvements of the C3D kernel made each year:

    2000: 3D solid modeling algorithms created.
    2001: Geometric constraint manager implemented; data converter written to handle standard exchange formats.
    2002: Associative views of 3D models added.
    2003: Basic surface modeling features created.
    2004: Sheet metal modeling algorithms.
    2005: Manifold solid modeling implemented.
    2007: Wireframe modeling added.
    2008: Kinematic joints implemented for modeling mechanisms.
    2009: Support for geometric model attributes added.
    2010: Full-fledged surface modeling appears.
    2011: Expansion to cross-platform support.
    2012: Direct modeling elements implemented.
    2013: English documentation localized; support for test applications added.

    Applications

    Since 2013 - the date the company started issuing a license for the kernel-, several companies have adopted the kernel for their products, users include:

    Recently, C3D has been adapted to Teigha Platform.

    Education

    Among the customers of C3D, there are educational institutions who are using the kernel for teaching students how to program with geometric kernels.

  • Tomsk Polytechnic University
  • Voronezh State University
  • Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology
  • Mordovian State University
  • Shevchenko Transnistria State University
  • Ulyanovsk State Technical University
  • References

    C3D Wikipedia