FAQ’s
3D CAD Services
Exotic File Types and Legacy CAD Conversion
“The times they are-a-changing” and as the old ways of storing files become obsolete, now is the time to secure the future by converting to modern 2D and 3D CAD systems. And this is where our trusted legacy conversion services are invaluable to your business.
CAD Systems We Work With
We commonly rescue your data from such legacy and exotic CAD systems as:
- Microcadam
- Kompas
- Anvil
- CATIA V4
- Computervision
- Solid Edge
- and many-many others.
Your data could be on old SATA or IDE hard drives, tapes, Zip drives, CD’s, etc. We have ways to read any data format.
At CAD / CAM Services, we offer you multiple options to choose from when converting your legacy data to modern 2D and 3D CAD formats, such as Siemens PLM Software, Dassault Systemes, PTC, AutoDesk, MSC, and others. We can confidently handle projects of any size for your business and have done this professionally for more than 30 years.
Sometimes, you have to return to some old project files, but the CAD software industry is rapidly developing. Because of this, it is likely that some of your oldest projects are no longer supported by the modern CAD systems that your engineers are familiar with.
In this case, we can lend you a helping hand and bring all these obsolete files from 2D drafts to even 3D multipart assemblies. Bringing them back to life into modern digital CAD formats.
At CAD / CAM Services, we offer you multiple options to choose from when converting your legacy data to modern 2D and 3D CAD formats, such as Siemens PLM Software, Dassault Systemes, PTC, AutoDesk, MSC, and others. We can confidently handle projects of any size for your business and have done this professionally for more than 30 years.
Sometimes, you have to return to some old project files, but the CAD software industry is rapidly developing. Because of this, it is likely that some of your oldest projects are no longer supported by the modern CAD systems that your engineers are familiar with.
In this case, we can lend you a helping hand and bring all these obsolete files from 2D drafts to even 3D multipart assemblies. Bringing them back to life into modern digital CAD formats.
Start the Legacy Conversion Process in 3 Simple Steps
We are ready to go to work for you to start your legacy CAD conversion project. You can kick-start the process by scheduling a meeting with us at your convenience. CAD / CAM Services employs these 3 efficient steps to ensure you get your 3D models in record time.
- Step 1: Accurate Assessment: Our team of experienced professionals starts the entire 2D to 3D conversion process by conducting a feasibility study on your files. In this assessment stage, the tools and method of conversion will be outlined. If you have access to the older files, send us a couple. Let us see what you have. There is, of course, no cost for us to evaluate old files.
- Step 2: Affirmative Action: CAD applications such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, Revit, Inventor, and Creo will be used to convert and document translated data. In addition, we have several current and dedicated translators as well.
- Step 3: Delivery: Finally, your converted 3D models will be delivered to you in the format you requested. We can also provide you with the added follow-up service of migrating your converted CAD files to your current CAD system. In addition to mapping layers, colors, fonts, replacing title blocks, updating the data – everything you need to open what we deliver like any other standardized native file you work in today.
Our Legacy 2D to 3D CAD Conversion Services
We would like you to know that no CAD conversion project is too bulky for us to handle. Therefore, if you are interested in converting all your CAD drawings files from a decade-two ago, our team of experts is at your service. We make use of standard 2D CAD converters and CAD software applications such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, Pro/Engineer, and Creo. We can also read from old drives, tapes, and backup systems.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Legacy CAD Conversion Services
Through the years, CAD / CAM Services has helped businesses in the aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and engineering industries save big on legacy drawing conversion projects. And we would also like to extend these benefits that are tied to our trusted services to you.
- Accurate 2D to 3D Conversions
- Competitive quotes for large CAD conversion projects
- Meeting stiff deadlines
- Working with experienced professionals
- Extended CAD data migration services
- Competitive pricing
- Reproduction of design intent if some of the engineering data is missing
- Rebuilding critical data if needed to include tree information, valid features of the current CAD system, and intelligent models.
- Pulling from a dissimilar PLM system of its data to your new PLM / CAD system.
Contact Us Now, To Learn How We Can Help
Our team of professional engineers and conversion specialists comes with 30-years of experience needed to convert technical drawings from your industry to intelligent, updated, and accurate 2D and 3D models. We also make use of cutting-edge conversion tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, and Inventor CAD applications, along with various CAD translators to convert your files. This ensures that the quality of the end product is truly CAD Perfect™. Models repaired if need be, and made sure to meet your admirably high expectations. We can convert legacy drawings with amazing speed and accuracy.
Schedule a Quick Assessment Today and convert your legacy drawings with us
FAQ’s
CAD Conversion FAQs
There are special CAD translator software packages available on the market, why should I pay you guys?
It is better to ask the following question:
What can you do that a software translator cannot do?
- Verify files.
- Update files
- Fix files
- Convert the CAD data to native intelligent CAD data with full feature trees.
- Update data to the current CAD standards.
- Work in the native PLM systems.
- Correctly write scripts for this process as needed.
My company wants to change the focus of our CAD systems, is it possible to do this with your help?
Of course, we offer CAD migration services. If you want all the Cad Perfect™ files to comply with your updated company standard, just send us the guidelines and we will make Cad Perfect™ files which are perfect for you!
I have some exotic files nobody knows even how to open. Can you help me even in this case?
Yes, we performed successful conversions from many local or exotic and ancient CAD systems. You can continue the development of old projects in modern software with our help.
I have some weird CAD files from the previous century, can you help me?
Yes, absolutely. We can perform legacy CAD conversions. Just send us some example files, and what CAD system we need to wind up in, and let us design the best solution for you.We have worked with old Computer Vision tapes, Anvil, and many other 1980’s systems.
Which CAD systems do you work with?
We support all the modern CAD systems including SolidWorks, Catia, Siemens NX, PTC Creo, Inventor, Revit, AutoCAD, and many others.
Which CAD file formats do you work with?
All the CAD file formats are listed on this page but bear in mind that we also work with exotic and legacy CAD systems. After 31 years of providing CAD Services, we have run into almost any CAD file format.
What do I get?
You get native Cad Perfect™ files with the full-featured model tree (where applicable, since some file types have no trees), and features can be fully parametric. It all depends on your goals. We prefer to not translate any files. Our goal is to deliver to you a file that you do not have to touch. Our work is exactly as if you had reproduced that work in-house.
What do you need to provide me with an accurate quote?
We need to know source CAD and target CAD software. Since large quantity orders can be discounted by us you can provide us with the number of parts you need to be converted.
If you tell us the desired purpose of the conversion we can offer you some conversion options. We can also convert your files into vendor-neutral file types (.STEP, .STL, etc,).
Please email us even cell phone photos, and the rough size of what you wish scanned and converted sales@cadcam.org.
General CAD FAQs
I need my project done today or tomorrow. Can you process rush jobs?
Depending upon when you catch us, yes, we can handle rush jobs. We often work over the holidays, Thanksgiving and even Christmas holidays. If you have a deadline – call us.
For years we have run three shifts of about 30 drafting folks per shift – allowing us to deliver work 3x faster, and seven days a week. Yes, we work 24/7, so you do not have to. The fun never stops here.
For 3D scanning, this is a different question. Because of the common setup work required, at best expect a 48-72 hour turn to be scanned. CAD or simulation services are in addition to that.
Who is affected by the PPD-21 directive?
The Department of Homeland Security has identified 16 different infostructures:
- Chemical Sector,
- Commercial Facilities Sector,
- Communications Sector,
- Critical Manufacturing Sector,
- Dams Sector,
- Defense Industrial Base Sector,
- Emergency Services Sector,
- Energy Sector,
- Financial Services Sector,
- Food and Agriculture Sector,
- Government Facilities Sector,
- Healthcare and Public Health Sector,
- Information Technology Sector,
- Nuclear Reactors Materials and Waste Sector,
- Transportation Systems Sector,
- Water and Wastewater Systems Sector.
This is both Government and private sectors.
If you are in any of these industries, this directive is important to you for many reasons. Do you know where your critical sections are? Are they well protected? Are there concerns for Hazmat, security clearance requirements, and other concerns? Can you quickly rebuild what might be lost?
The important part of this means that critical infrastructure must be secure and able to withstand and rapidly recover from all hazards. Achieving this will require integration with the national preparedness system across prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.
Further details can be found at: Government PPD-21
DHS – The National Infrastructure Protection Plan details: The National Infrastructure Protection Plan
Industry specific plans: 2015 Industry specific PPD-21 plans
CAD / CAM Services provides PPD-21 for the following industries: DHS – CAD / CAM Services
What is the PPD-21 Protocall?
The Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) is a Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience United States directive that aims to strengthen and secure the country’s critical infrastructure.The goal of this directive is to reduce vulnerabilities, identify and disrupt threats, minimize consequences and hasten response and recovery efforts related to critical infrastructure.
The directive defines resilience as the ability to prepare for and adapt to ever changing conditions, terrorists, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Resilience includes the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents.
Do you support the PPD-21 Directive?
Yes we do, and have now for several years. In addition, we also support the industry specific plans as well.
Did you really own the trademark Cad Perfect™, Cad Perfect CAD Conversions™ and Cad / Cam Services™?
Yes, we did back in 2008. We started using Cad Perfect™ back in the early 1990s because all of our customers wanted only real Cad Perfect™ work. Back then the buzz words were terms like machine ready, or DXF Traceover and others.
The problem is, nobody wanted that. They all wanted drawings and models that they did not have to touch. Everybody wanted drawings just as if they hand redrew the work themselves.
Thus, Cad / Cam Services™ was the first company to start offering ONLY Cad Perfect™ work.
What is the estimated delivery time?
It depends on the scope of work:
- 2D drawings – small quantity, normally 48 hours. We have several customers where they contract to us, keeping 4-8 drafters busy full time.
- 3D models – complexity dependent, but smaller jobs in 2-3 days. Some models we have spent months on. Again, we have several customers where they contract to us, keeping 6-10 3D CAD designers busy full time.
Simple jobs have a lead time of 48 hours. Larger projects are delivered and invoiced weekly.
Will CAD / CAM Services Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
Yes. NDAs are a common part of our business. All data is yours – not ours, and treated as proprietary data and not for public consumption or use. Probably 70% of our work is under NDA agreements. We can generally get these signed within the day.
How do I send a sample, in order to get a quote?
Fill out our quote form, attach your files, or simply send us an email. Tell everything about your project, like the model purpose.
For smaller files < 15 MB you can simply email them to us. For something larger, just drop them in any number of drop boxes like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and others. Or if you would like, just contact us for a private, hardened link.
It is fine to use most any time of compression such as *.zip, *.rar, *.tar, *.7z, *.arc, *.LBR, and even *.iso images.
A direct email is sales@cadcam.org
We also use a hardened OwnCloud web file sharing platform for unlimited file transfers. We provide unique and very private Web Storage Portals, this also supports file syncing for extreme convenience for you. Because so much of our work is DOD or weapons design work, Security – and confidentiality is very important to us.
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