Alibre Submits STEP Schema to International Organization for Standardization.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2002

Alibre announced today the publication of its STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product model data) schema by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). STEP is an ISO standard for precise 3D geometry exchange that is broadly supported by government entities, manufacturing companies and the CAD/CAM industry. Alibre's STEP schema is available to other computer-aided design (CAD) software vendors, as well as the general public, on the ISO web site.

Alibre uses STEP as the internal file format for Alibre Design, a full-featured 3D CAD application for mechanical design, online collaboration and data sharing. The application does not use a proprietary file format. Alibre's STEP schema augments the standard geometry and product assembly structure defined in the widely supported STEP AP203 format, by adding a complete product model definition including features, construction history, parameters and relationships in 3D product models. Additionally, the Alibre Design STEP implementation supports non-graphical meta data, such as part name, number, description and version, for linking the data manager in Alibre Design to users' existing PDM (product data management) systems.

Alibre sees STEP as the best vehicle for making a complete product model definition readily accessible and exchangeable, to dramatically improve interoperability between 3D solid modeling systems. By publishing the schema, Alibre is providing standards bodies and CAD software vendors with a production implementation of STEP that incorporates a complete model definition in addition to geometry and assembly information. Alibre is inviting other vendors to use its STEP schema to move from supporting only STEP AP203 geometry to supporting a complete product model to enhance interoperability between their applications and others.

Alibre Design is used as both a primary CAD application, and as a tool for data sharing and online design collaboration, and the STEP standard is central to the application. In Alibre Design, product designs are created and saved in the neutral STEP format. For design collaboration, users take product designs created in other CAD applications, and, through STEP, import them into Alibre Design. There, users can share designs from different CAD systems in a common environment, reviewing and modifying them concurrently with other users in online design sessions.

"By publishing our production implementation of the STEP schema, we hope to accelerate the evolution of STEP, moving it beyond just geometry support" said J. Paul Grayson, Alibre president and CEO. "Our goal is to help users by establishing a widely supported open data exchange standard that puts data ownership and control in the hands of users rather than CAD vendors with proprietary data formats."

"Alibre's publishing of their schema is a Good Thing," said Joel Orr, a consultant, speaker and writer for engineering automation and computing technologies. "As my colleague Evan Yares says on CADwire.net, we need an intermediate format that supports feature information. Interoperability seems to be good for users, but often seems to vendors to be undesirable. Alibre's move is definitely in the 'good for users' column, and far-sighted vendors will see it that way, too."

Due to its neutrality, the use of STEP instead of proprietary formats has been encouraged by numerous organizations, including the Joint Aeronautical Commanders' Group, which serves as a focal point for all joint aviation activities by the military, NASA and the FAA.

To access the schema, visit the Alibre web site at http://www.alibre.com/news/pr/pr20020814.asp.

Alibre Design is the only low-cost, easy-to-deploy application for mechanical design, collaboration and data sharing. In addition, Alibre provides first-class support and training through direct online access to the Alibre Assistant for all Alibre Design users. Built for the Internet with a peer-to-peer architecture, Alibre Design lets designers, engineers and their associates create 3D models and 2D associative drawings, share and edit product designs from different CAD applications, and spontaneously collaborate online in real time using precise design data. The application's support for open data standards such as STEP provides a CAD-neutral environment. Using Alibre Design, companies can slash costs, boost productivity, improve quality and shorten manufacturing cycles. Customers include GE Power Systems, Marchon Eyewear and Dresser Rand. Founded in 1997, Alibre Inc. is privately funded and based in Richardson, Texas. For more information, visit www.alibre.com or call 972/671-8492.

Note to media: Alibre and Alibre Design are trademarks of Alibre Inc. High-res screenshots of Alibre Design are available.