Is anyone out there using Designer to import 3D model data? If so, does Designer have the ability to import 3D data with the option of removing unnecessary lines (such as tangents) and then creating thick/thin lines so as to have finished line art for placement in a technical document?This is all done on import, BTW.
Year ago I was on the beta team for a new version of designer and this was the goal back then. Since then they went with integration of Deep Exploration. The last time I talked to the Corel reps they had NO idea how the software worked ( the main app or the Deep Exploration integration) and they didn't seem to excited about educating themselves and then getting back to me.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
Bill Fehr
I am guess that there is no one out there that cares about this product? Not even Corel?
Well, it's not really encouraging for us at Corel to jump in on a thread that states "last time I talked to the Corel reps they had NO idea how the software worked...".
Without further detailing who you have talked to I want to reply on the subject of your question:
"Does Corel DESIGNER have the ability to import 3D data with the option of removing unnecessary lines (such as tangents) and then creating thick/thin lines so as to have finished line art for placement in a technical document?"
Short answer is YES.
The features you're searching for are mainly in the Deep Exploration CE component where you access 3D files.Using the "Send to Corel DESIGNER" feature in this component offers several settings to adjust the quality of the vector output that is handed over to Corel DESIGNER for further illustration work (in 2D).
1) Thick&Thin lines: In the Illustration dialog you can specify 2 different line weights, one for "Line" (which means all visible edges) and one for "Boundary". The Boundaries are the lines that usually should be drawn thicker to create a clearer 3D look on the 2D vector file.Take a look at the Advanced settings of the "Illustration" dialog. You will notice a "Thick&Thinning method" drop down with 3 options. This setting details the way how thick and thin lines are created (what edges are treated as lines and which ones should use the "Boundary" thickness).
2) Removing unnecessary lines (such as tangents):In the Illustration dialog there is a "Tolerance angle" setting that specifies the way how adjacent faces are treated. By reducing this value you will get more detailed lines created on vector output.In the Advanced Settings you can define "Line Filtering" settings in order to automatically remove seemingly duplicated lines or small lines (using a threshold value).
I hope this information helps to get high quality technical illustrations created from 3D CAD sources with low to no manual rework.
Kind regards,Klaus Vossen
At the same time it is not good to avoid "opportunities". :-)
I am was trying to be honest and get an honest answer. After working with two contacts who told me they knew nothing of the product but would demonstrate it for use anyway, they proceeded stumble through and were not able to answer any of our questions and never returned my calls following the presentation.
Thank you Klaus for taking the time to respond. It seems however that some of my coworkers are now going forward with the purchase of IsoDraw since I we could not get any information that was of value. This will probably be the company standard and will be rolled out to over 100 writers throughout the company as well as removing CorelDRAW from all writer's and engineer's machines.
This is not a decision I am happy about, but what can ya do?
Thanks again Klaus.
You should give Deep Exploration CE 5.7.3 a try. This update is included in the Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite X4 SP1.
There are enhancements included for the Deep Exploration CCE (Add-On to Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite X4 with Deep Exploration CSE) component that should match or even surpass the requirements you explained in this thread earlier.
"import 3D data with the option of removing unnecessary lines (such as tangents) and then creating thick/thin lines so as to have finished line art for placement in a technical document" is the core workflow which now delivers a further improved quality in the final technical illustration without the need for manual rework.
OK, I have Designer X-4 with Deep Exploration but now Deep exploration says my trial is over. What gives with this thought it was part od Designer. The one reason I got it was for all the files it can open and use, plus export in.
thanks
rich
Right Hemisphere® Deep Exploration™ CSE is an integral part of Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite X4, that's correct.
As mentioned above, with Service Pack 1 the Deep Exploration component has been updated to version 5.7 .With the licensed product (Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite X4) you will see a permanent "Corel Standard Edition" license being mentioned in the "Info" / "About Deep Exploration..." dialog in the Help menu of Deep Exploration.
Only the trial version of Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite X4 (being installed as 30-day evaluation version) should expire (you will see a "Trial version" note in the "About..." dialog then as well). You should contact Corel Customer Service if you experience such problems with the licensed product!
Another note: Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite X4 comes with Deep Exploration CSE. That level of the 3D visualization component supports 3D formats such as DXF/DWG, SketchUp, 3DS and a few more.If you are looking for native 3D CAD file format support you will need to upgrade to Deep Exploration CCE . This will add support for all the 3D CAD file formats from systems like CATIA, Pro/E, SolidWorks, Inventor and many more. It's all described in detail on the product page of Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite X4 (in the "3D CAD" tab).