C3D Vision

C3D Vision - visualization module. It provides software developers with tools to fine-tune the graphical interface of engineering software and visually display three-dimensional geometric models in it.

2023: Use in the Soyuz-PLM platform

Programsoyuz licensed the C3D Converter and C3D Vision components, which are part of the C3D Toolkit. Products from C3D Labs solve the problems of importing and exporting data, displaying geometric models and operating the graphical interface of an engineering application. C3D Labs announced this on January 25, 2023. Read more here.

2018: C3D Vision 2019 for geometric data visualization

On December 11, 2018, C3D Labs announced the release of the C3D Vision 2019 visualization module from the C3D Toolkit. The presented version of the 3D engine aims to quickly and conveniently create modern 3D projects. In conjunction with other C3D Toolkit modules - the geometric core, parametric solver and converters - C3D Vision provides CAD developers with the most complete solution for constructing, editing, rendering and converting geometry.

C3D Vision operates polygon models and is responsible for rendering the visual scene in the 3D application under development. The presented version of the module is characterized by even closer integration with the geometric kernel C3D Modeler: to automatically generate a scene graph based on a mathematical model, it is enough to call only one function, the developer emphasized.

C3D Labs noted that support for multithreading, typical of C3D Toolkit, is also implemented in C3D Vision 2019. This makes it possible for viewables based on mathematical representations of geometry to choose whether to calculate the polygon model synchronously or in multithreaded mode. Object searching and rendering can also work in synchronous or multithreaded mode.

"In C3D Vision 2019, we opted for a comprehensive approach with a variety of ready-made CAD solutions. The architecture of the engine has undergone great changes, thanks to which users have the opportunity to implement their objects, as well as write processes for creating and editing objects. C3D Vision has become more scalable and convenient for developing 3D applications. " Eduard Maksimenko, Head of Development C3D Vision

C3D Vision 2019 tools introduced by the developer:

• Slots and signals - used mainly for communication of C3D Vision objects, which allows you to reduce the development code when interacting certain objects, for example, geometric objects and their representations, or the interaction of camera control processes and updating the rendering frame.
• Metadata - additional information about C3D Vision objects, from which you can find out the name of the object and its properties or check whether the object inherits a certain class.
• Own events - a simplified event model for working, for example, with events from input devices (mouse, keyboard, etc.), as well as with the possibility of overloading other physical devices.
• Annotation objects and their representations are comments and dimensions. These objects can modify the geometry of basic primitives, such as the main dimension line, leader line, and so on. In turn, dimensions can be applied to measurement tools. In the presented version, three dimensions are implemented: linear, diametral and angular.
• Definition of objects under the cursor - The tool generates a signal when the mouse moves and determines the object under the cursor. A structure listing the identifiers of objects trapped in the mouse is passed to the slot. Using these identifiers, the user can search for objects or their primitives in a mathematical representation.
• Cross Section Plane-Performs a cross section using OpenGL, which gives a quick result in contrast to a solid cross section that modifies its topology. The tool allows you to make sections with multiple planes and close (close) the cut point. For the slice, it is possible to define any material other than the body material.

As of December 2018, C3D Vision 2019 is available for free testing as part of C3D Toolkit or as a standalone component.

2016: C3D Vision 2016

On August 17, 2016, C3D Labs announced the release of the final version of C3D Vision 2016. According to the developers, the module will improve the quality of rendering in CAD systems under development.

C3D Labs announced the completion of the beta testing phase and the start of official sales of the C3D Vision 2016 module for engineering software developers ^[1].

The technological component from C3D Labs operates on polygonal 3D models, the visual scene in it is divided into segments and presented in the form of a graph. In this case, each segment has separate characteristics:

• absolute and relative matrices,
• reference data representation
• an array of geometry representations.

This allows you to define and manage relationships for different groups of viewing descriptions, and helps you avoid duplicating the same 3D elements repeatedly when used frequently in different 3D model nodes.

Displaying a 3D Model Using C3D Vision 2016, (2016)

{quote 'author
= Eduard Maksimenko, head of development at C3D Vision'Ha for many years, I and my colleagues from ASCON participated in the creation of the KOMPAS-3D. During this time, an accurate idea of ​ ​ what the ideal visualizer for a CAD developer should be. We implemented this representation in C3D Vision: it supports setting LOD levels of detail, using shaders and widgets, using the finished 3D model tree, controlling static graphics and a dynamic scene, setting anti-aliasing, hiding invisible scene elements, etc. All this ensures comfortable work of the user in the application when visualizing a complex three-dimensional scene with the number of bodies more than 50 thousand, and triangles more than 30 million. We have already received a number of positive feedback from the companies involved in testing the beta version of the product. I am sure that all our customers will appreciate the debut C3D Vision 2016.}}

The final release, in addition to numerous improvements based on the results of testing, included functionality for working with vector fonts.

The C3D Vision module can be licensed as a standalone software product and as part of the extended C3D Enterprise 2016 kit along with the Modeler, Solver, and Converter components.

2014: Presentation of C3D Vision

C3D Vision controls the rendering quality of 3D models using mathematical, software and hardware tools, which increases the speed of working with large assemblies.

To achieve maximum performance, C3D Vision implements control over the accuracy of the triangulation grid calculation and support for LOD levels of detail when working with static graphics, plus a number of settings for a dynamic scene:

• hiding edges as 3D model rotates
• polygon smoothing (anti-aliasing)
• removing minor scene elements
• removing items that are outside the scene
• vertical synchronization, at which the scene refresh rate is synchronized with the personnel refresh rate on the monitor screen
• acceleration of graphics calculations due to the use of the capabilities of the video card

Screenshot of the application window, (2015)

Available Shaders

• selection of objects
• drawing shadows
• smooth surface

C3D Vision Indications

• processing large amounts of data generated by 3D models in massively parallel computing systems
• loss of image quality when scaling a 3D model
• lack of visualization support in account dynamics
• poor performance with visualization directly in computing nodes
• insufficient utilization of hardware capabilities for visualization
• requirement to provide visualization with a large number of processors
• problems with application support for different types of video adapters

The C3D visualization module helps improve the quality of visualization in engineering software while reducing the cost of creating software. C3D Vision can be used independently and in conjunction with other C3D modules.

Notes