Interchanging CAD-CAM data bases

Abstract

Fundamental incompatibilities among entity representations greatly complicate data base interchange between computer-assisted design-computer-assisted manufacture (CAD-CAM) systems. Even simple geometric entities, such as circular arcs, are represented by incompatible forms in many systems. To preserve the original intent of a CAD-CAM data base, the treatment of these incompatible representations in initial graphics exchange specification (IGES) processors must be carefully specified and verified. The challenge of IGES processor design is to meet these specifications within the framework of current IGES and CAD-CAM system architecture.