UGS plans to publish a reference for the current version of their 10-year-old JT data format -- but not right away. Chuck Grindstaff, UGS exec vp of products, figures the documentation won't be ready until October, at the earliest.
Battling against 3D XML from Dassault Systems, 3D PDF from Acrobat, and other self-declared "open" formats, UGS hopes the move will make JT a "pervasive 3D data standard" in manufacturing. Back in late 2003, UGS had formed the JT Open Program to make the exchange format easier to access by its customers.
It's a good move, no matter what.
I can understand the delay -- it takes some serious time to develop a complete and accurate specification document. Often, it involves going through source code, to verify all the details of the format.
UGS is generally a trustworthy partner, and has earned my respect for how they've handled the JT-Open project. Now that they're going to publish the JT filespec, it makes the format even more attractive -- especially as the competing format from Dassault, 3D XML, is only *partially* documented -- a fact that Dassault has not been forthcoming with.
Posted by: Evan Yares | Jan 24, 2006 at 04:09 PM