FormatWorks is a SolidWorks Certified Gold Product representing the highest level of integration with SolidWorks, quality and interoperability. Certified Gold Product Add-ins are fully integrated "single window" applications adding value to SolidWorks customers. FormatWorks has extended support of native CAD data formats (CATIA V5, V4, UGX, Pro/E, etc.) and special repair tools to simplify the workflows for importing single parts or large complex assemblies into SolidWorks.

FormatWorks is available in the following configurations:

• Standard
• Professional
• Ultimate
• Server

	Standard	Professional	Ultimate	Server
License Type	Permanent	Permanent	Annual	Permanent
Translators	Configurable	Configurable	All Included	Configurable
PMI Support		+	+	+
Batch Mode		+	+	+
Model Preview		+	+	+
Selective Translation		+	+	+
Automatic Repair	+	+	+	+
Model Simplification / Features	+	+	+	+
Error Classification	+	+	+	+
Manual Repair Tools	+	+	+	+
Problem Area Isolation	+	+	+	+
Server Monitor				+
Upgrade Available	Professional / Server	Server

FormatWorks simplifies the import process into SolidWorks. Automatic repair and healing ensures that foreign geometries meet the criteria set by SolidWorks to form valid solids. This repair is always performed within the model tolerance while maintaining original model integrity and preventing model deformation.

Typical FormatWorks Workflow

• Data Import
• Tolerance Control
• Model Preview*
• Selective Translation*
• Automatic Repair & Healing
• Model Verification & Error Classification
• Manual Repair
• Geometry Check
• Data Export

Direct translation into SolidWorks

(*) only available for FormatWorks Professional, Ultimate or Server

FormatWorks solves frustrating data incompatibility problems occurring during the import of 3D models into SolidWorks. It seamlessly imports native data formats (CATIA V4, CATIA V5, Pro/E, etc.) and performs necessary repairs to form a valid model in SolidWorks.

Translation into SolidWorks over FormatWorks

Import Formats

• CATIA V4 (.model, .exp / up to 4.2.4)
• CATIA V5 (.CATPart, CATProduct / up to R19)
• CATIA V5 PMI Unigraphics (.prt / up to 18, NX5)
• Unigraphics PMI Pro/E (up to Wildfire 4)
• Pro/E PMI Inventor (up to 12)
• Parasolid (up to 20)
• ACIS
• STEP
• IGES (5.x - 6.x)
• VDA-FS
• AutoForm (.af, .afm)
• STL
• VRML
• 3DTransVidia XML

Automatic Repair

The automatic repair includes identification and repair of over 70 data translation errors. FormatWorks repairs both geometry and topology using specialized sewing algorithms. Entities preventing the model from forming a watertight solid are automatically detected. The automatic repairs are controlled and always performed within the original model tolerance, which prevents model deformation.

70 Error Types Automatically Repaired

General

Invalid object's formal parameters
Invalid object's dependencies
Invalid camera's view parameters

Topology

  Edge

Invalid vertex
Invalid orientation
Not G1

  Loop

Not defined in Model Space
Not defined in Parametric Space
Not synchronized representation (in Model Space and Parametric Space)
Not G0 in Model Space
Not G0 in Parametric Space
Not closed in Model Space
Not closed in Parametric Space
Invalid orientation
Intersection (or self-intersection)
Laying out of surface domain (partially)
Inconsistent orientation with curves (in Parametric Space)

  Face

Degenerated
Ribbon
Invalid orientation (normal direction)
Not G1 (underlying surface)
Intersection (or self-intersection)
Inner loop is missed
Outer loop is wrongly indexed
Outer loop is missed
Not optimal underlying surface definition
Self-touching loop
Geometry

Geometry

  Curve

  General

Degenerated
Shared
Irregular parameterization
Not simplified
2D curve is out of surface domain

  NURBS curve 

Not G1(G2)
Invalid knot vector
Collapsed control points
Not simplified (polyline)
Not simplified (segment)

  Polyline

Duplicated points
Linear chains
One segment
Approximation by NURBS curve

  Composite curve 

Not G0
Invalid sub-curve index
Invalid sub-curve orientation
Duplicated sub-curve
One sub-curve
Nested composite curve

  Spline curve

Invalid knot vector

  Surface

  General

Degenerated
Shared
Wavy parameterization
Insufficient domain
Type conversion

  NURBS surface

Not G1(G2)
Invalid knot vector
Collapsed control points
Surface of revolution 
Invalid parameterization
Invalid generatrix curve

  Surface of revolution self intersection

Not-optimal seam

Manual Repair

Manual repair has never been simpler. If necessary, FormatWorks will automatically provide you with the workflow to fix all problems originating in the CAD model. Defective entities are grouped in a project tree as a separate documents. All manual repair operations are intuitive and easy to use since they are completely integrated into SolidWorks. As a result, the user operates only on faulty parts and their neighbors instead of manipulating on the whole model or complex assembly.

FormatWorks provides proprietary functions to resolve geometric and topological problems that prevent you from forming a valid solid or surface model in SolidWorks. These functions are developed specifically to maintain the intent and quality of the automotive design.

• Surface creation
• Surface recreation
• Surface merging
• Surface trimming
• Surface splitting

Preview, Select and Translate

FormatWorks has model preview capability. This allows user open instantly a CATIA file and view the data before it is translated to SolidWorks. The preview has all functions of a graphical viewer allowing to zoom, rotate and pan the model. It also features a project tree showing the model structure. User can select separate model entities for translation directly from the graphical preview window. Large CATIA models and assemblies including complex structures are easily handled with FormatWorks2007. Using the model preview, the user selects entities that he wants to be translated into SolidWorks. You can select any combination of assemblies and parts. Translate them into SolidWorks and leave the rest behind. This provides huge savings of time and computer resources (memory) and gives manageable data in SolidWorks.

1) Preview. Whole CATIA V5 assembly

2) Preview. Selected part from CATIA V5 assembly

3) Translated part into SW from CATIA V5 assembly

Error Classification

FormatWorks also offers easy workflow extending Manual Repair Tools with the problem classification. User can see different errors grouped into the following categories: Gaps, overlaps, T-connections,open contours. Each individual error has a tip attached telling user how to fix the problem. The error with the neighboring faces can be exported into separate documents for easy repair.

Feature Translation

FormatWorks now provides support for automatic feature recognition. SolidWorks features such as:

• Holes
• Cuts
• Chamfers
• Fillets
• Extrusions
• Ribs

are identified in translation process. The imported models are easily editable in SolidWorks.

Export Formats

• CATIA V4 (.model, .exp / 4.2.4)
• CATIA V5 (.CATPart, CATProduct / up to R19)
• Parasolid (up to 20)
• ACIS
• STEP
• IGES (5.x - 6.x)
• VDA-FS
• AutoForm (.af, .afm)
• STL
• VRML 3D
• TransVidia XML

Translation from SolidWorks to CATIA V4

Why FormatWorks has become the standard for SolidWorks Users

  Gold Product

• The Only Gold Product available for SolidWorks users for bi-directional CATIA translation
• Provides solution for all data translation to/from SolidWorks (IGES, STEP, ProE, etc)
• Ensures immediate compatibility with new SolidWorks releases and service packs
• Recommended by SolidWorks

  Dassault Libraries

• We license directly the CATIA libraries, we don’t "crack the binary" code.
• Ensures immediate compatibility with new version of CATIA.

  Gold Level Products come with Gold Level Support

• Experts on CATIA
• Experts on SolidWorks
• Experts on Automotive and Aerospace industry

Customer Comments

"FormatWorks resolves all of our IGES translation problems into SolidWorks. Most of the files come in automatically repaired and we can get right to work. The difficult parts are easily fixed with the manual repair operations. FormatWorks is an essential tool for our operation that saves us considerable time and money. With FormatWorks we can spend our time building our tooling and not working out translation problems”.
Jim Lewis, President of Precision Pattern Inc

"We appreciate Capvidia's responsiveness, as we had to use FormatWorks immediately to meet our delivery deadlines. Capvidia assisted us with immediate training and assistance to enable us to resolve urgent problems. FormatWorks has become immediately cornerstone software for us."
Frank Kowal, SIG Ryka Engineering Manager

"I have been using FormatWorks file translation and repair software by CAPVIDIA for almost two years now. FormatWorks has made it possible to take corrupt files and transform them into useful solid models. This software has been such a useful tool that we continue to purchase new seats as our engineering department grows."
Drew M. Braun - Tooling Engineer, Tri-Core Mold & Die

"There are 2 functions in FormatWorks that make my work easier and faster. They are the "SEARCH for PROBLEM AREAS" and "EXPORT SELECTION with NEIGHBORS". These 2 functions alone are worth the price of the software and all the other functions are added bonuses. I am not a surfaces guru, but FormatWorks makes me look pretty good when I get the job done when others can't."
Dusty Nogueira, Waltech Forgings