TransMagic R8 SP0 Release Notes
May, 2009
This page describes the changes, new features and updated file format support in TransMagic R8 SP0.
TransMagic Release 8 provides more ease-of-use and automation functions to facilitate seamless data exchange between all 3D applications!
This release introduces new features and tools that enable anyone to use 3D data files, CAD models, animation files, simulation data and more. Since everyone is not a CAD expert or a 3D data exchange guru, R8 introduces a NEW and unique step-by-step Auto Repair Wizard. The Wizard will help find and fix geometry errors that could prevent 100% interoperability between systems.
The graphical interface has a new look. However, the tools and buttons from previous versions are still in relatively the same position on the toolbars. Many will notice higher performance and shorter processing time in R8. Notable new features include many enhancements to the Assembly Browser including the ability to hide and show parts and quickly browse through the assembly hierarchy to view, select or export individual parts or sub-assemblies. A less obvious enhancement to increase performance is the addition of “instance” translation. In an assembly with 100 instances of the same part, such as a bolt, TransMagic only needs to translate one instance of that part and correctly position the other 99 instances in the assembly. Of course, TransMagic R8 supports new file formats and updated CAD file versions.
Release 8 Enhancement Overview
New Usability Features:
- TransMagic Auto Repair Wizard
- Assembly Browser now displays assembly hierarchy of parts and sub-assemblies
- Support for multiple part instances
- Updated graphical interface, larger icons and toolbars
- Support for 3Dconnexion devices (3D mice, space balls)
- New settings for 2D image capture/output in desired resolution
- New interactive 3D axes for rapid view changes
New Configurations:
- TransMagic SERVER
- TransMagic ENTERPRISE
New Formats:
- Binary STL output
- OBJ file format support
- ACIS Assembly file formats (*.asat & *.asab)
- Merge STEP models from PDMS with plant design meta data into JT files
Updated CAD Version Support:
- CATIA V5 R19
- Pro/ENGINEER WildFire 4.0
- SolidWorks 2009
- Siemens NX 6.0 (previously UG)
- AutoDesk Inventor 2010
- ACIS R19
- Parasolid v20
- HOOPS 16
New Usability Features
TransMagic Auto Repair Wizard
| The Auto Repair Wizard interactively recommends the best steps to quickly repair geometry and optimize file quality for translation and downstream engineering and manufacturing applications. When TransMagic opens a CAD model, the Wizard analyzes the 3D data and offers single-click ‘best practice’ options to repair the model using a "traffic-light" motif. |  |
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New AutoRepair Wizard Button
In some cases the Auto Repair Wizard does not automatically run. Such is the case when dragging and dropping files from the desktop, double-clicking a file or if the wizard has been turned off. However, the Auto Repair Wizard can be invoked by selecting the Auto Repair Wizard button, also-known-as the "Magic” button, located on the upper left toolbar.
Enhanced Assembly Browser displays assembly hierarchy
TransMagic R8 retains assembly hierarchy and structures in most design files. View, select or export models by selecting sub-assemblies with a single click in the Assembly Browser.
Support for multiple part instances
If there are 500 identical parts in a file, TransMagic R8 will translate one part once and place it multiple times in the assembly. This saves time, and makes for faster processing and smaller file sizes.
Many assembly models contain more than one “instance” of the same part. TransMagic will translate an “instance” once and use the resulting translated information where needed in the model. R8 instancing support outputs smaller assembly file sizes, with shorter processing times and overall increases performance and efficiency when working with large assemblies.
Updated Graphical Interface
The “new look” in the TransMagic R8 graphical interface includes larger, easier-to-read icons, clear menus and provides an updated look and feel.
Support for 3Dconnexion devices (3D mice, space balls)
3Dconnexion devices enhance viewing of CAD models. A 3D mouse allows “fly-through” navigation of a model with simultaneous pan, zoom and rotation of 3D objects and assemblies without stopping to select individual interface commands.
2D image output of 3D models in desired resolution
TransMagic has always had the capability to create high resolution 2D images of the graphics on the screen. Now, you can set the resolution for 2D images for either small thumbnail images of models or high resolution print quality pictures.
The settings for creating hi-res screenshots or low-res thumbnails of models in TransMagic are on the Files/Settings/Output tab. Operators can specify image size, print area and/or DPI.
New Interactive 3D axis
Quick controls in the XYZ axes icon makes changing views intuitive and fast. Click the interactive axis to rapidly change views from top to bottom, front, rear, right side or left side. Double click the darker center area to switch to an ISO view.
New Configurations
TransMagic SERVER
The new TransMagic SERVER can be run from any other application with a few simple commands called the COMMAND interface. TransMagic SERVER can be run from any PLM system or scripts written in any language on any platform. It provides an automated server based translation solution that proactively creates copies of the master geometry files in all required formats. This approach provides immediate access to any given file in any given format.
TransMagic ENTERPRISE
TransMagic ENTERPRISE utilizes TransMagic Workgroup (Network or Site License) in combination with TransMagic SERVER to form a comprehensive solution that covers all enterprise data translation needs.
New Formats
Binary STL
TransMagic R8 supports writing binary STL files which can provide a 10x file size reduction over ASCII STL files. ASCII or binary STL output is set on the TransMagic File/Settings/STL tab.
OBJ File Support
TransMagic R8 supports reading and writing OBJ files. TransMagic writes OBJ files for use in 3D applications including:
- Autodesk AliasStudio
- Autodesk Maya
- Autodesk 3ds Max
Support for ACIS Assembly File Format
TransMagic R8 supports reading and writing for ACIS Assembly file formats (*.asat & *.asab). The *.asat and *.asab files support assembly data such as assembly hierarchy.
PDMS
Merge STEP models from PDMS with plant design meta data into JT files.
Updated CAD File Versions
Supported READ Formats
| Format | Extension | Version |
| CATIA V4 | *.model, *.exp, *.dat, *.session, sequential files | Up to 4.2.4 |
| CATIA V5 | *.CATpart, *.CATproduct | R6 to R19 |
| Inventor | *.ipt, *.iam | Up to Version 2010 |
| Pro/ENGINEER | *.prt, *.asm | V16 to 2001, Wildfire 3 to 4 |
| SolidWorks | *.sldasm, *.sldprt | Version 98 to 2009 |
| Unigraphics | *.prt | V11 to 18, NX to NX6 |
| ACIS | *.sat, *.sab, *.asf, *.asat, *asab | R2 to R19 |
| JT | *.jt, *.j_t | 6.4 to 9.0 |
| Parasolid | *.x_t | V10 to V20 |
| IGES | *.igs | up to Version 5.3 |
| STEP | *.stp | AP203, AP214 |
| HSF | *.hsf | Up to 15.0 |
| Stereo Lithography | *.stl | ASCII, Binary |
| OBJ | *.obj |
Supported WRITE Formats
| Format | Extension | Version |
| CATIA V4 | *.model | V4.1.9 to V4.2.4 |
| CATIA V5 | *.CATpart, *.CATproduct | R6 to R19 |
| ACIS | *.sat, *.sab, *.asf, *.asat, *asab | R2 to R19 |
| JT | *.jt | 6.4 to 9.0 |
| Parasolid | *.x_t, *.x_b, *.xmt_txt, *.xmb_txt | V12 to V20 |
| IGES | *.igs, *.iges | 5.3 |
| STEP | *.stp, *.step | AP203, AP214 |
| HSF | *.hsf | Up to 15.0 |
| HOOPS | *.hmf | Up to 16.0 |
| NGRAIN | *.3ko | 3.2, 4.0 |
| Stereo Lithography | *.stl | ASCII, Binary |
| HTML | *.htm | |
| OBJ | *.obj |
Supported 2D Graphic Image Output Formats
| Format | Extension |
| Bitmap | *.bmp |
| Enhanced Metafile | *.emf |
| Post Script | *.ps |
| TIFF | *.tif |