Table of Contents
- History and Origin of the Granite Format
- Characteristics of the Granite Geometric Kernel
- Interoperability and Exchange of Granite Data
- CADfix: Solution for Repairing and Simplifying Granite Data
- How to Optimize Your Processes with Granite
- Conclusion
History and Origin of the Granite Format
The Granite format represents an important milestone in the evolution of technical data exchange standards in the industry. Developed by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), Granite was primarily used in early versions of Pro/Engineer as a fundamental geometric kernel. Although it has been superseded by ACIS in more recent CREO versions, the Granite format continues to be used as an interoperability format in all existing Pro/Engineer versions.
Recognizable by its .g file extension, the Granite format was specifically designed to facilitate interoperability between different CAD software applications, although its use remains primarily limited to PTC solutions. Its ability to transpose geometry without loss between software sharing the same geometric engine makes it a valuable tool for companies heavily invested in the PTC ecosystem.
Characteristics of the Granite Geometric Kernel
Robust and Feature-Oriented Architecture
The Granite kernel is distinguished by its feature-based design and unique architecture allowing CAD/CAM/CAE applications to become associatively interoperable. This associative approach is particularly valuable in concurrent engineering workflows, where it allows engineers and designers to work side by side in heterogeneous but associative design processes.
Comprehensive Modeling Capabilities
The Granite kernel offers a complete set of 3D modeling operations including:
- Complete 3D surface and volume modeling
- Advanced operations for extrusion, offset, thickening
- Chamfering, rounding, smoothing, and sweeping features
- Integrated development environment for debugging and rapid prototyping
gStudio Development Environment
Granite's gStudio environment allows for rapid prototyping and debugging of new code, as well as easy visualization and interrogation of CAD models. This technical feature facilitates the integration and development of custom applications around the Granite kernel, enhancing its value for software development teams.
Interoperability and Exchange of Granite Data
Smooth Exchange Between Compatible Applications
The main strength of the Granite format lies in its ability to allow the exchange of information without loss of data regarding a model's assembly or its associativity. This data preservation is crucial for maintaining design integrity throughout the product development cycle.
Limitations of the Format for Modern Needs
Lack of PMI Support
A significant limitation of the Granite format concerns the lack of support for Product Manufacturing Information (PMI). Unlike more recent formats such as STEP AP242 or JT, Granite does not allow the native integration of geometric tolerances, annotations, and other manufacturing information directly into the 3D model. This gap considerably complicates workflows based on Model-Based Definition (MBD), an approach that has become standard in many industries.
Unsuitability for Long-Term Archiving
The Granite format is not suitable for long-term archiving of technical data2. Unlike standardized neutral formats like STEP or 3D PDF, Granite remains a proprietary format strongly tied to the PTC ecosystem, which raises concerns about the future accessibility of data and its longevity. This limitation is particularly problematic for industries such as aerospace or automotive where archiving requirements can extend over several decades.
Evolution Towards ACIS
The progressive replacement of Granite by ACIS in more recent CREO versions highlights the inherent limitations of the format3. This transition illustrates the constant evolution of CAD data exchange standards and the need for companies to adapt to more versatile and widely adopted formats to ensure optimal CAD interoperability.
CADfix: Solution for Repairing and Simplifying Granite Data
CADfix, distributed by CAD Interop, offers a sophisticated solution to address the complexities related to converting Granite models to other CAD formats. Conversion between different CAD systems often creates geometric problems such as poorly defined surfaces, incorrect tolerances, or missing geometries. CADfix offers a wide range of automated and interactive tools specifically designed for translating, repairing, and preparing CAD geometry.
Key Features for Processing Granite Data
CADfix offers essential tools to ensure the quality of CAD data from the Granite format:
- Surface stitching and sealing to create continuous geometry
- Creation of missing geometry to complete models
- Construction of solids from surface data
- Adjustment of geometric tolerances between different systems
- Identification and correction of surface definition problems
- Reduction of geometric complexity for downstream applications
- Defeaturing operations to simplify models
Automation Process with Repair and Simplification
The main advantage of CADfix's 3D translation and healing solutions lies in the processes that guide users smoothly through the import, repair, and export phases, requiring minimal manual intervention. This automation transforms the complexity of processing Granite data into a fluid process, thus optimizing engineering workflows and significantly reducing the time needed to prepare models for downstream use.
How to Optimize Your Processes with Granite
Integration in Multi-CAD Value Chains
In a business environment using multiple CAD systems, the Granite format can serve as an effective bridge for specific workflows:
- Use CADfix to convert Granite data to more universal formats such as STEP or JT
- Implement automatic validation solutions to verify model integrity after conversion
- Establish standardized procedures for translation between Granite and other native formats
Why Consider Migration from Granite?
Given the limitations of the Granite format, many companies are considering a migration strategy:
- The transition to standard formats such as STEP AP242 offers better support for PMI
- Neutral formats such as JT or 3D PDF are better suited for long-term archiving
- Modern CAD data exchange solutions offer better interoperability and more robust multi-CAD capabilities
By evaluating your specific CAD interoperability needs and taking into account the limitations of the Granite format, you can determine the best approach to optimize your technical data exchange processes.
Conclusion
The Granite format, although historically significant in the PTC ecosystem, today presents important limitations in the face of modern CAD data interoperability requirements, particularly regarding PMI support and long-term archiving. However, for companies already invested in this format, solutions like CADfix offer robust repair and simplification capabilities that facilitate conversion to other formats better suited to contemporary needs.
The constant evolution of technical data exchange standards makes it essential to adopt good practices for managing Granite files and implementing coherent CAD interoperability strategies. By combining the appropriate tools and proven methodologies, organizations can overcome the challenges associated with the Granite format and ensure effective data translation in their multi-CAD environments.
