Open Design Alliance Starts MCAD Development

Open Design Alliance (ODA) has officially started development on its new MCAD SDK (mechanical CAD software development kit), an open exchange framework for 3D mechanical CAD.

MCAD SDK will support 3D mechanical formats including Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS and CATIA, Siemens Solid Edge, PTC Creo, JT and more. The cross-platform SDK will provide visualization and data access on all major desktop, mobile and web platforms.

“MCAD SDK development is being funded by a coalition of prominent ODA members,” says Neil Peterson, ODA president. “We’re looking for additional partners. The industry sorely needs open and affordable access to 3D design data. With our long-term focus and broad industry support, ODA is uniquely and ideally suited to develop this key technology.”

ODA is operating the MCAD SDK project at cost as a service to the industry. For more details, see opendesign.com/products/mcad-sdk.

About Open Design Alliance

ODA develops complete interoperability solutions for CAD and building information modeling on web, mobile and desktop. ODA is supported by more than 1,200 member companies worldwide, including software developers; manufacturers; government entities; architecture, engineering and construction firms; major retailers and other organizations spread across every engineering discipline.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.