Whats New in Geomagic Studio 12

May 25, 2010

Whats New in Geomagic Studio 12

About Geomagic
Geomagic (www.geomagic.com) is a worldwide software and service company headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (U.S.A.), with subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, and distributors worldwide. Geomagic is the market leader in digital shape sampling and processing (DSSP) with a vision of mass customization, technology innovation, and business performance. Geomagic software enables customers to accelerate product development cycles and ensure quality at every step. More than 5,000 professionals use Geomagic software and services across diverse industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer products. They benefit from unprecedented time savings, short learning curves, increased productivity, and simplified processes.

Copyright
2010, Geomagic, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means including photocopying, recording, or microfilming or by any information storage and retrieval system including a web site, without the written permission of Geomagic, Inc. No liability is assumed by Geomagic, Inc. with respect to the use of the information contain herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this documentation, Geomagic, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. References in this document do not constitute an endorsement of any products or services. Geomagic, the Geomagic logo, Geomagic Studio, Geomagic Qualify, Geomagic Review, Geomagic Blade and "the magic of making it Simple are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Geomagic, Inc. Other trademarks, trade names, or product names mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Geomagic, Inc., PO Box 12219, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA www.geomagic.com

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Table of Contents
1 OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................. 4 2 NEW FEATURES ......................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Redesigned User Interface .................................................................................... 5 2.2 Start Page .............................................................................................................. 5 2.3 Translated ToolTips ............................................................................................... 6 2.4 Support for Windows 7 .......................................................................................... 6 2.5 Update Manager .................................................................................................... 6 2.6 Save Models as 3D PDF ....................................................................................... 6 2.7 Query and Export of Point Coordinates on Models ................................................ 6 2.8 Create Line/Arc Section Curves............................................................................. 7 2.9 Automatic Surface Patch Merging ......................................................................... 7 2.10 Patch Template Morphing .................................................................................... 7 2.11 Swept and Lofted Surfaces .................................................................................. 7 2.12 Constant Radius Connecting Surfaces ................................................................ 8 2.13 Parametric Exchange for CATIA .......................................................................... 8 2.14 Intelligent Reconstruction in CAD ........................................................................ 8 2.15 Optimize Edges ................................................................................................... 9 2.16 Command Finder ................................................................................................. 9 2.17 Sample Data ........................................................................................................ 9 3 IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING FEATURES .......................................................... 10 3.1 Significant Performance Improvements ............................................................... 10 3.2 Flexible Parametric Surfacing Workflow .............................................................. 10 3.3 RPS Alignment Added ......................................................................................... 10 3.4 Improved AutoSurface Feature ............................................................................ 10 3.5 Better IGES Export Options ................................................................................. 11 3.6 Consolidation of Datums and Features................................................................ 11 3.7 Redesigned Hole Filling Command ..................................................................... 11 3.8 Improved Wrap Algorithm .................................................................................... 11 3.9 Added Multiple Light Sources .............................................................................. 12

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1 OVERVIEW
With the release of Studio 12, Geomagic has focused its attention on improving the user experience as a whole. Using a new Ribbon-style user interface, commands are more accessible and easier to use. Coupled with new features like a Getting Started page and ToolTips, the interface is simpler to navigate and easier to learn. By improving memory management and refining some algorithms, Geomagic engineers were able to improve performance of some key commands, resulting in as much as a 45% increase in speed when processing large data (on 64-bit operating systems). This new version will also be supported for Windows 7. An additional area of focus was to make the parametric surfacing workflow much more flexible. By allowing users to move forward and back through the process, users can edit various aspects of the model without losing valuable work, which adds up to a better experience when surfacing. Besides making surfacing easier, two new feature types were added to the already extensive list: sweeps and lofts. Users can now model almost any shape using a combination of freeform surfaces and parametric primitives. When ready to trim the surfaces together, a new option to create constant radius blends between surfaces is available, greatly enhancing the usability of the stitched model downstream. Finally, when transferring the model to CAD, the option to send to CATIA was added, making Geomagic Studio capable of exchanging parametric data with many of the most widely used CAD systems. In summary, this release of Geomagic Studio is intended to build upon the strengths of the product: ease of use, powerful polygon repair tools, and parametric modeling of scan data.

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2 NEW FEATURES
All new features are described in the Help system. Place cursor over the name of a command in a ribbon or menu, and press F1.

2.1 Redesigned User Interface

The user interface has been entirely redesigned to follow the Microsoft Fluent User Interface, which utilizes ribbons instead of traditional toolbars. This refreshing new style modernizes the Geomagic application while providing better visibility to commands, since items no longer reside on menus. Commonly-used features have larger, more prominent icons. There are three predefined color themes available: Blue, Silver and Black. In addition, users can customize the ribbons to add or rearrange commands as they see fit.

2.2 Getting Started Page

New window layout showcases a Getting Started page with links to commonly-used actions, recent files, support and training resources and sample files. Quick links to common tasks like scanning or probing are available with a single click.

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2.3 Translated ToolTips

In an effort to expand localization, all tooltips which appear when hovering over an icon or menu will be translated into all the languages supported by application, including Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.

2.4 Support for Windows 7

Beginning with Version 12, Geomagic will support installation and operation of its software on Microsofts Windows 7 operating systems.

2.5 Update Manager

A new utility has been implemented which notifies users when new updates are available. If desired, the Update Manager will download and install the update, without the user having to navigate to a web site or enter additional information, such as an entitlement number. This seamless update utility will help ensure that customers and partners are always running the latest versions. [Application Menu > Resources > Check for Updates]

2.6 Save Models as 3D PDF

A new option has been introduced to create PDF files with an embedded 3D object. The PDF file is fully navigable using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Models can be rotated, panned and zoomed within the PDF document, giving the user more options for sending results to colleagues, customers or partners. [Application Menu > Create 3D PDF]

2.7 Query and Export of Point Coordinates on Models

A new command was added to report the location (in XYZ coordinates) of picked points on point clouds, polygon models and CAD objects. Simply clicking on any point, triangle or face will populate a table with XYZ coordinate values which can in turn be saved as a .txt file. [Tools > Analysis > Point Coordinates]
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2.8 Create Line/Arc Section Curves

A new option was added to the Create Curves by Section command that allows for creation of crosssection curves as a series of lines and arcs, in addition to splines. Now, users can create section curves that more closely resemble sketches created in CAD. These curves can then be edited, and optionally, sent to CAD via Parametric Exchange, where they can be used to drive parametric surface or solid creation. [Curves > Free Curves > Create By Section]

2.9 Automatic Surface Patch Merging

After running AutoSurface or manually constructing a patch network, a new command is available which will automatically optimize the patch layout by merging surface patches that form a rectangular array. The result is much fewer surface patches in the final model (i.e. fewer patches when exported as IGES or STEP and imported in CAD) with the exact same accuracy. [Exact Surfaces > Surfaces > Merge (Automatic)]

NURBS surface before merging (485 patches)

NURBS surface after merging (77 patches)

2.10 Patch Template Morphing

A new feature in Project Template will attempt to automatically morph, or warp, the patch template onto the polygon model. If contours exist on the polygon model, the morphing is even more effective. An attempt is made to match the contours of the template to the contours on the polygon model. This new feature makes it easier to apply templates to similar shapes. [Exact Surfaces > Patches > Templates > Project]

2.11 Swept and Lofted Surfaces

The ability to fit constant profile sweeps and variable profile lofts has been added to Studio. New technology automatically recognizes swept and lofted shapes in polygon models and extracts optimal profiles, along with guide curves, which are used to construct surfaces. These surfaces are used to created trimmed and stitched models, and can also be sent to CAD via Parametric Exchange for automatic reconstruction within CAD. [Parametric Surfaces > Regions > Classify Regions]

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2.12 Constant Radius Connecting Surfaces

In addition to sharp edges and freeform connections between primary surfaces, users can now create connections that have a constant radius, similar to fillets in CAD. The initial radius value is automatically extracted from the mesh, and then the user has the choice of overriding that value with a manually entered radius. These connection surfaces can even be made into parametric fillets in CAD by using the various feature recognition tools available in CAD packages. [Parametric Surfaces > Connections > Classify Connections]

Constant radius connections in Studio 12

2.13 Parametric Exchange for CATIA

Parametric Exchange now supports CATIA V5, allowing surfaces, solids, features and curves to be transferred seamlessly from Studio. With the addition of these, Geomagic Studio can now connect to four major CAD packages to exchange parametric data (Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, ProENGINEER, and CATIA).

2.14 Intelligent Reconstruction in CAD

Parametric Exchange now analyzes models and attempts to automatically trim, join, cut or subtract surfaces and solids during the Send operation. The first of its kind in the industry, this feature attempts to remove the tedious task of performing manual CAD operations, such as surface trimming and Boolean operations, by applying a set of predefined rules to automatically construct complete models in the specified CAD package. The result is a dramatic reduction in user input in CAD to reconstruct the parametric model. [Parametric Surfaces > Output > Parametric Exchange]

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2.15 Optimize Edges

A variation of the former Clean command, the new Optimize Edges command will reorient polygon edges in an attempt to make the edges line up along sharp or highly-curved regions of the mesh, without moving polygon vertices. [Polygons > Repair > Optimize Edges]

2.16 Command Finder

To ease the transition from the Studio 11 user interface to the Studio 12 user interface, a feature called the Command Finder was implemented which helps the user search for commands from previous versions and locate them in the new version. Users can type in command names and the application will return a list of candidate commands that match the search term. [Application Menu > Command Finder]

2.17 Sample Data

From a link on the Getting Started page, users can access some sample files which are useful for learning new features in Geomagic Studio 12. The following is a description of the sample data: Claw_PolygonEditing.wrp a simple polygon mesh with numerous holes, good for experimenting and learning the new or modified polygon commands like Hole Fill, Optimize Edges and QuickSmooth. SheetMetal_PointCloud.wrp a raw point cloud, good for experimenting with point data clean up tools like Select Disconnected, Select Outliers, and Reduce Noise. Fairing_ScanRegistration.wrp a set of ordered scans, good for experimenting with scan data registration and merging. Flame_AutoSurface.wrp a very organic shape which demonstrates the improvements to AutoSurface. Use AutoSurface with the Organic options to see how well it works on a complex shape. Toggle on Interactive mode to experiment with this new feature. Bulldog_PolygonRepair.stl a very complex, organic shape, good for experimenting with the numerous polygon repair tools, notably Mesh Doctor. SimpleModel1_ParametricSurfacing.wrp a very simple polygon mesh that is good starting point for learning the redesigned parametric surfacing workflow. The model is ready to begin the region detection step. SimpleModel2_ParametricExchange.wrp a model with surfaces already created, good for trying Parametric Exchange command. Forging_ExactSurfacing.wrp a model ready for surfacing using the Exact Surfaces feature set.

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3 IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING FEATURES

3.1 Significant Performance Improvements
A 20% performance improvement across-the-board has been achieved for 64-bit operating systems, thanks to a new memory management system. In addition, the Wrap algorithm has been improved and is now 25% faster than before. The result is that some of the longer running processes, like Merge and Wrap, will be significantly faster (as much as 45%) than in previous versions.

3.2 Flexible Parametric Surfacing Workflow

The parametric surfacing workflow (previously known as Fashion) is much more user-friendly due to improvements which allow users to edit region data and contours without deleting unaffected surfaces. This yields a much more flexible workflow, as users can now comfortably move forward and back through the process without losing work. As a result of this new workflow, extensions are no longer required to create a surface, which greatly reduces the effort required to generate usable surfaces. The process of creating surfaces from polygon mesh data is now much easier.

3.3 RPS Alignment Added

In response to customer requests, the RPS Alignment feature, previously only available in Geomagic Qualify, has been added to Studio 12. This command allows for alignment with feature points and targets and can be used to better simulate real-world part alignment scenarios.

3.4 Improved AutoSurface Feature

Dramatic improvements to the AutoSurface command yield much higher quality surfaces than in previous versions. By refining several aspects of the popular AutoSurface command, the surfaces produced now have little to no defects, while retaining the desired accuracy. This command can be used reliably to turn polygon meshes into watertight NURBS surfaces with a single click, and users can expect far fewer problems when importing the result into CAD. In addition, a new Interactive mode has been introduced which will alert the user if problems arise during the AutoSurface process. If problems are found, the user is prompted to fix these problems manually before resuming the AutoSurface process. The interactive process ensures the user gets the surface they desire at the end.

AutoSurface result in Studio 11

AutoSurface result in Studio 12

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3.5 Better IGES Export Options

By adding a new pop-up dialog when choosing to save as IGES, users can now determine which entities are to be saved in the IGES file. In addition, users can select whether they want to save untrimmed NURBS surfaces, which will result in smaller IGES files than the previous version of Studio. This dialog appears after selecting IGES as the Save As type, and clicking Save.

3.6 Consolidation of Datums and Features

The Create Datums command has been removed from Studio, and an effort has been made to consolidate datums and features. Now, the Create Features command can handle the creation of any primitive object previously created by Create Datums. Likewise, where once datums were used for alignment, now features can be used instead. This consolidation will help simplify workflows by providing a single point of creation for any reference entity.

3.7 Redesigned Hole Filling Command

Utilizing the advantages of a ribbon-style interface, the Fill Holes command was completely redesigned to offer a more integrated and streamlined way of filling holes. Now the user can fill individual holes by simply toggling on the Single fill mode rather than opening a complex dialog box. Simple, clean icons on the ribbon let the user switch between filling modes, and new interactive graphics help guide the user during partial and bridge filling operations. In addition, new options in Fill All allow the user more control over which holes get filled during the processing, which helps to prevent unwanted fills.

3.8 Improved Wrap Algorithm

The polygonization algorithm, known as Wrap, was improved to support more varied data structures. Now the result of wrapping data with varying densities is a more complete polygon mesh, with fewer holes and missing regions. In addition, the algorithm was enhanced to produce results up to 20% faster than in Studio 11.
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Fig. 7 - Original scan data

Fig. 8 - Studio 11 result

Fig. 9 - Studio 12 result

3.9 Added Multiple Light Sources

Multiple light sources were added, and can be controlled as themes. In addition to the existing single light at screen center, the user can choose from two-, three- and four-light themes, with controls on each for reflectivity and brightness. Lighting conditions can be customized and are automatically saved for reuse. [Display Panel > Lighting]

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