Personal Designer is CAD software developed by ComputerVision that has marked the history of computer-aided design solutions. Although considered obsolete today, this system continues to exist in the archives of many industrial companies. This article presents the essential aspects of data interoperability related to Personal Designer and its derivatives.
History and Evolution of the Software
Personal Designer was developed by ComputerVision (CV) in the 1980s as a CAD solution for mechanical design. ComputerVision, founded in 1969, was one of the pioneers in the field of CAD/CAM systems.
The software underwent various evolutions and gave rise to several specialized versions:
- Personal Machinist (production-oriented)
- Microdraft (technical drawing orientation)
- microCADDS (version adapted for architecture)
- 4Design (later version with extended functionality)
After the acquisition of ComputerVision by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) in 1998, active development of the software gradually ceased, leading to its current technical obsolescence.
Technical Context and Current Usage
Today, Personal Designer is no longer maintained or marketed, but many industrial companies still possess significant archives of data in the native Personal Designer format. Managing this digital legacy represents a significant interoperability challenge for technical services and engineering departments.
Technical Architecture and Geometric Engine
Engine Characteristics
Personal Designer used a proprietary surface modeling engine, developed before the emergence of parametric solid modeling techniques that dominate the market today. This engine enables:
- The creation of 2D and 3D wireframe geometries
- Surface modeling (non-solid)
- Working in absolute or relative coordinate systems
- A generally procedural approach to modeling
This architecture, though limited compared to current standards, has served as the basis for many industrial models that persist in technical archives.
Formats and Native Interoperability
Personal Designer primarily uses the following formats:
| Type | Format | Extension | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native | Personal Designer | .drw | Main format for all models |
| Import | IGES | .igs, .iges | Limited support depending on versions |
| Import/Export | DXF | .dxf | Primarily for 2D data |
Intrinsic Interoperability Limitations
The software suffers from several inherent limitations in terms of data exchange:
- Lack of support for modern formats (STEP, JT, 3DXML, etc.)
- Difficulties in transmitting attributes and metadata
- Imperfect conversion of complex curves to other formats
- Lack of support for parametric modeling
- Frequent loss of information during conversions between formats
Modern Interoperability Solutions
Faced with these limitations and the obsolescence of the software, several third-party solutions have been developed to facilitate access to and conversion of Personal Designer data.
DraftView for Personal Designer
CAD Interop distributes DraftView, a specialized solution that offers:
- Direct visualization of native Personal Designer files (.drw) with support for proprietary fonts and line styles
- Conversion of models to DXF format for use in modern CAD systems
- Support for derivative versions (Personal Machinist, Microdraft, microCADDS, 4Design)
- An intuitive user interface adapted for technicians and engineers
- Compatible with the latest versions of Windows
This solution allows access to data archives without requiring installation of the original software, which is often incompatible with modern operating systems.
Conversion Process
DraftView uses a translation engine specifically developed to correctly interpret the proprietary data structure of Personal Designer and transform it into standard formats such as DXF. This approach allows:
- Preservation of drawing structure
- Retention of main layers and attributes
- Accurate conversion of 2D geometric elements
- Interpretation of dimensions and annotations
Best Practices for Interoperability
Preparation of Personal Designer Models Before Conversion
To optimize the results of converting Personal Designer data to modern formats, several preparatory steps are recommended:
- Model Cleaning
- Remove unnecessary or redundant elements
- Check the integrity of curves and surfaces
- Simplify overly complex structures
- Data Structuring
- Organize layers coherently
- Clearly name different elements
- Group related elements together
- Verification of Scales and Units
- Ensure units are correctly defined
- Check scale factors used
- Standardize units throughout the model
Recommended Workflow for Conversion
For companies with significant archives in Personal Designer format, a methodical process is advised:
- Inventory and categorization of files according to their complexity and criticality
- Conversion tests on a representative sample
- Development of a standardized procedure based on test results
- Batch conversion of similar files
- Systematic verification and validation of converted files
- Documentation of problems encountered and solutions applied
Sectoral Use Cases
Personal Designer was particularly used in several industrial sectors:
- Aerospace: design of mechanical parts and structures
- Automotive: component design and tooling
- Industrial Equipment: design of machines and installations
- Defense: development of specific mechanical systems
In these sectors, Personal Designer archives often represent decades of technical development and constitute a valuable industrial heritage.
Interoperability Tips from Technical Forums
CAD professional communities have shared several tips to improve the interoperability of Personal Designer data:
- Use of Intermediate Exports: Exporting to IGES and then to the final format sometimes gives better results than direct conversion.
- Breaking Down Complex Models: Dividing large files into logical subsets before conversion improves the success rate.
- Post-conversion Geometric Cleaning: Using CAD repair tools on converted files helps eliminate common geometric anomalies.
- Preservation of Original References: Maintaining a cross-referencing system between original and converted files facilitates verification and traceability.
- Selective Conversion: Prioritizing the conversion of essential geometries rather than entire models reduces errors and simplifies validation.
Resources and Technical Support
Although Personal Designer is obsolete, several resources remain available for professionals managing data from this software:
- Archived documentation accessible from specialized providers
- CAD technical forums where former users share their expertise
- Consultation services offered by data migration experts
- Specialized software solutions such as DraftView from CAD Interop
Perspectives and Recommendations
For companies still possessing substantial archives in Personal Designer format, two approaches emerge:
- Progressive conversion of critical or frequently consulted data to modern standard formats
- Maintenance of a visualization environment such as DraftView to access historical data without systematic conversion
The optimal strategy generally depends on the volume of data, its strategic value, and the frequency of access required.
Personal Designer represents an important chapter in the history of industrial CAD software. Although technologically outdated, its legacy persists in many technical archives. Interoperability solutions like DraftView from CAD Interop now make it possible to preserve access to this industrial digital heritage while facilitating its conversion to modern formats when necessary.
