Our Partners for CAD Interoperabilty

CAD interoperability is crucial in today's design and engineering world, where CAD information needs to be exchanged between multiple CAD systems or used at various enterprise levels. It enables seamless data exchange, saves time, and enhances efficiency. CAD Interop has selected several CAD interoperability solution providers for their highly competitive solutions in the market. These editors, including CAD Exchanger, SimLab-Soft, Kisters, Draftware, and ITI, have gained recognition for developing software solutions that perfectly meet customer integration needs.

Our teams have been working closely with top vendors for decades to provide our customers with effective CAD interoperability solutions. We have a deep understanding of the challenges users face in the CAD data exchange process and have developed software solutions that simplify this process. Our close collaboration has allowed us to incorporate our customers' feedback into our software development process and create solutions that meet their unique needs. Our combined expertise and experience have enabled us to provide innovative, reliable, and efficient solutions that have earned us recognition as the best distributor by all of the editors with whom we work.

The convergence of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technologies with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) is radically transforming industrial processes worldwide. In this innovation dynamic, CAD Interop strengthens its market position by establishing a strategic partnership with SimLab-Soft, a recognized developer of VR/AR solutions for engineering and 3D design. This alliance now enables CAD Interop customers to access a complete technological ecosystem integrating immersive visualization and advanced design data interoperability.

SimLab-Soft: Advanced Expertise in Virtual and Augmented Reality

Founded by 3D visualization experts, SimLab-Soft has established itself as a major player in the development of immersive solutions for engineering, architecture, and industrial design professionals. Their proprietary technology enables the conversion, optimization, and visualization of complex CAD models in interactive virtual environments while maintaining the integrity of essential technical data.

The SimLab software suite stands out for its ability to efficiently process files from major CAD platforms. This native interoperability facilitates the integration of solutions into existing workflows without disruption in the digital chain. The technology developed by SimLab-Soft is built around three main axes:

Intelligent conversion and optimization of complex 3D geometries for VR/AR environments
High-performance rendering engine allowing real-time visualization of voluminous industrial models
Intuitive interface adapted to the specific needs of technical sectors without requiring expertise in 3D development

A Strategic Partnership for Technological Innovation

The alliance between CAD Interop and SimLab-Soft represents a natural evolution for both companies, united by a common vision: simplifying access to advanced visualization technologies for technical professionals. This partnership allows SimLab solutions to be integrated into the catalog of services offered by CAD Interop, thus providing a complete response to the visualization and collaboration challenges faced by engineering teams.

CAD Interop's format conversion capabilities, combined with SimLab-Soft's immersive visualization technologies, create a technical synergy enabling the processing of the entire 3D data lifecycle: from importing native files to exploring them in a virtual environment. This technical complementarity is particularly evident in the preservation of essential metadata throughout the conversion and optimization process.

Expansion into Virtual and Augmented Reality

Thanks to this partnership, CAD Interop expands its offering into the strategic domains of virtual and augmented reality, technologies that have become essential in modern industrial processes. This extension allows clients to benefit from a technological continuum between their existing CAD systems and the new possibilities offered by virtual immersion.

The jointly developed solutions enable several concrete applications:

Immersive design reviews allowing exploration of models at 1:1 scale
Early ergonomic validation of products under development
Technical training on complex equipment in a virtual environment
Interactive commercial presentation of industrial products
Technical documentation enhanced by augmented reality

This integrated approach significantly reduces the technical obstacles traditionally associated with the adoption of immersive technologies in industrial environments. Technical teams can now focus on analyzing and validating their designs rather than solving interoperability problems.

Prestigious International References

SimLab solutions have been adopted by leading organizations in various industrial sectors, testifying to their reliability and relevance in the face of contemporary technical challenges. Notable users include:

Automotive sector: Premium manufacturers using VR for design reviews and ergonomic evaluation of cabins
Aeronautics: Major equipment manufacturers applying augmented reality for the assembly of complex components
Architecture: International firms exploiting immersive visualization for client validation and technical coordination
Heavy industry: Industrial equipment manufacturers using VR for operator training and assisted maintenance

These successful implementations demonstrate the adaptability of the solutions to the specific constraints of each sector, whether it involves managing extremely detailed models or integration with existing information systems.

Measurable Business Benefits and Applications

The integration of VR/AR technologies in engineering processes generates quantifiable benefits at different stages of product development:

Product Cycle Phase	VR/AR Application	Measurable Benefits
Preliminary design	Immersive exploration of concepts	40% reduction in initial concept validation time
Detailed engineering	Collaborative technical review in VR	Early detection of 65% of integration problems
Product validation	User tests in virtual environment	30% decrease in late modifications
Production	AR assembly instructions	25% improvement in assembly cycle times
After-sales service	AR maintenance assistance	35% reduction in intervention time

These performance gains result from a better spatial understanding of complex products and more effective collaboration between the various stakeholders in industrial projects.

Technical Requirements and Deployment

The implementation of solutions from the CAD Interop and SimLab-Soft partnership integrates naturally into the existing IT infrastructure of companies. The solutions are designed to adapt to different levels of VR/AR equipment:

Basic configurations: Visualization on standard computers with enhanced 3D navigation
Intermediate configurations: Standalone VR headsets for individual design reviews
Advanced configurations: CAVE systems or immersive rooms for collaborative reviews
Mobile solutions: AR applications on tablets and smartphones for field use

Deployment typically takes place in three main phases, ensuring a progressive and controlled adoption of immersive technologies:

Initial assessment and definition of priority use cases
Pilot implementation on a limited functional scope
Extended deployment after validation of benefits

The partnership between CAD Interop and SimLab-Soft marks an important step in the accessibility of immersive technologies for engineering and industrial design. By combining CAD Interop's expertise in CAD interoperability with SimLab-Soft's advanced VR/AR visualization capabilities, this alliance offers companies a coherent technological path toward the industry of the future. As immersive technologies continue to evolve, this strategic collaboration will allow for the rapid integration of emerging innovations and maintain an offering aligned with the growing needs of technical industries in terms of visualization and collaboration.

website: SimLab-Soft

The strategic partnership between CAD Interop and KISTERS celebrates a decade of fruitful collaboration in the field of 3D visualization and CAD interoperability this year. This technological alliance, initiated in 2015, has enabled industrial companies to access robust solutions for visualizing, analyzing, and collaborating around 3D models, regardless of their original format.

KISTERS: A Technological Leader in 3D Visualization

Founded in 1963, KISTERS AG has established itself as a major player in information technology serving industry and the environment. This German company, headquartered in Aachen, now employs more than 700 experts worldwide and operates in over 10 countries.

The KISTERS group distinguishes itself through expertise in three strategic domains:

Solutions for water and energy resource management
3D visualization technologies for the manufacturing industry
Information systems for the energy sector

Within this organization, the 3D division develops the flagship solution 3DViewStation, a high-performance 3D viewer that forms the core of this partnership with CAD Interop.

3DViewStation: The Visualization Solution at the Heart of the Partnership

The 3DViewStation solution stands out for its ability to visualize, analyze, and manipulate 3D models from all major CAD systems on the market. Its modern architecture offers exceptional performance, even with the most complex assemblies.

Technical Strengths of 3DViewStation

Ultra-fast visualization of complex CAD models
Native support for more than 30 industrial file formats
Advanced analysis features (model comparison, measurement, cross-sectioning, etc.)
Technical documentation generation with annotated screenshots
Available in Desktop, WebViewer, and VR Edition versions

Version	Use Case	Benefits
Desktop	CAD users, production preparation	Maximum performance, complete functionality
WebViewer	Extended collaboration, PLM/ERP integration	Accessibility without installation, simplified deployment
VR Edition	Design reviews, training, marketing	Total immersion, enhanced user experience

A Decade of Partnership Serving Industry

Since 2015, CAD Interop has been integrating and deploying KISTERS solutions for French and international industrial companies. This collaboration covers the entire project lifecycle:

Needs analysis and consultation on appropriate solutions
Integration of 3DViewStation into existing information systems
Development of specific connectors for PLM/ERP environments
User training and technical support
Guidance in evolving usage patterns

This partnership has effectively solved challenges related to visualization and collaboration around 3D data in numerous industrial sectors: aerospace, automotive, energy, defense, agricultural machinery, and many others.

Prestigious Industrial References

The 3DViewStation solution, distributed by CAD Interop, has earned the trust of many leading industrial companies. These references testify to the robustness and efficiency of this solution in demanding environments.

Industrial Sectors Using 3DViewStation

Aerospace and defense: visualization of complete digital mockups of aircraft
Automotive: design review and manufacturing preparation
Agricultural machinery: technical documentation and training
Energy: maintenance and intervention planning
Railway: configuration and variant management

Among the companies that trust KISTERS and 3DViewStation are global leaders in their respective sectors. These organizations have integrated the solution into their daily processes, allowing thousands of users to easily access 3D data without requiring expensive CAD licenses.

Tangible Benefits for Industrial Companies

Domain	Benefit	Measurable Impact
Costs	Reduction in the number of complete CAD licenses	60% to 80% savings on license costs
Productivity	Quick access to 3D models for all departments	Time savings estimated at 15-20% for consultation tasks
Collaboration	Facilitated sharing of technical data	30% reduction in iterations in validation processes
Quality	Better understanding of designs	25% decrease in interpretation errors

The pragmatic and results-oriented approach of this partnership between CAD Interop and KISTERS allows industrial companies of all sizes to significantly improve their product development processes, from design to maintenance.

Partnership Perspectives and Evolution

Building on ten years of success, the partnership between CAD Interop and KISTERS continues to evolve to meet future industry challenges. Current development areas include:

Integration of augmented and virtual reality technologies in industrial processes
Development of analysis features based on artificial intelligence
Performance optimization to handle increasingly complex assemblies
Continuous improvement of the user experience

These developments are part of a shared vision: making 3D data accessible to all stakeholders in the company, thus facilitating decision-making and accelerating product development.

In ten years of collaboration, CAD Interop and KISTERS have developed unique expertise in the field of 3D visualization and CAD interoperability. This alliance now offers industrial companies proven, high-performance, and scalable solutions to meet the challenges of digital transformation in design and manufacturing environments.

Web site : kisters.de

Since 1988, Draftware has established itself as a key player in the field of CAD data interoperability. A historical specialist in visualization solutions for Computervision environments, this company based in Warsaw (Indiana) now offers essential solutions for organizations facing compatibility challenges between legacy and modern CAD systems. Present in more than 30 countries, Draftware enables industrial companies to preserve their investments in technical data while facilitating their digital transition.

As a strategic partner of CAD Interop for nearly three decades, Draftware has developed particular expertise in managing proprietary formats from legacy design platforms. This expertise is crucial for industries where product lifecycles span several decades, requiring access to historical technical data.