CAD Visualization by Outsourcing

This paper describes an approach for state-of-the-art visualization in Computer Aided Design and Applications (CAD) based on connecting CAD to computer animation. Instead of replicating functionality in rapidly outdated visualization modules for each CAD software system, CAD scene is imported into an animation software system where state-of-the-art visualizations are produced. The approach of outsourcing CAD visualization to animation has the advantages of simplicity—it is easier to translate CAD scene descriptions to formats suitable for import into animation software systems than to re-implement state-of-the-art visualization techniques—, of automatic updates—as animation software advances at a rapid pace driven by popular applications in entertainment, the advances automatically benefit CAD—, and of promoting CAD visualization research— collaborations between CAD and visualization experts can focus exclusively on devising novel visualization techniques as opposed to making state-of-the-art visualization available to CAD. The approach is exemplified on the production of a high-quality visualization of the September 11 Attack on the Pentagon, based on importing FEA output data into an animation software system.