Digital Geometric Kernel
Digital Geometric Kernel (Former KernelCAD), is a software development framework and a set of components for enabling 3D/CAD functionality in Windows applications, developed by DInsight.
 Burr in DG Kernel control with transparent background | |
| Developer(s) | DInsight |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 6.0
/ December 15, 2018 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Windows |
| Type | CAD software |
| License | Commercial |
| Website | dynoinsight.com |
DInsight promotes KernelCAD as quick way to add 3D/CAD functionality without significant knowledge about the subject. It targets engineers and software developers.
Architecture
Although it can be used directly as a set of Windows DLLs, its main interface is implemented as Microsoft ActiveX control. As such, it can be added to forms or dialogs using development environments such as Microsoft Visual Studio or Embarcadero Delphi. Pure geometric functionality can be used in background without creating a window. Samples include C#, Visual Basic .NET, WPF, C++ and Pascal (Delphi) versions.
The API is based on COM-like interface hierarchy.
DG Kernel relies of three major third party components:
- Open Cascade Technology engine (OCCT). Parametric B-spline B-rep modelling, STEP format implementation and related functionality.
- Object-Oriented Graphics Rendering Engine (OGRE). High-level adaptor and extension of DirectX technology.
- Open Design Alliance SDK. Support for DWG and other AutoCAD formats.
Market niche
DG Kernel is an attempt to automate and simplify extensive functionality available in OCCT particularly. It also attempts to bridge the gap between complexity of OCCT and the prohibitive for small businesses costs of commercial kernels like Parasolid or ACIS
Milestones
The product was first released by DInsight in 2001 under Kernel CAD name. The main product in version 6.0, released in December 2018, was renamed to DG Kernel. The most significant change in version 6 was an alternative high-level interface for OCCT technology, which potentially solves a number of issues with using OCCT directly
Digital Geometry versus CAD
By Digital Geometry DInsight means computer–generated geometry. In other words, Digital Geometry is programmable CAD.
Historically the CAD term has been used for any 3D model representations. In many situations Computer Aided Design term becomes misleading. In traditional CAD the 3D model is the objective. In Digital Geometry 3D objects are an intermediate step for calculations or simulations.
Traditional CAD means computer-assisted, but mostly manual work, which significantly depends on the human (designer). However, in many situations, like tool-making by CNC machining, the final surface is not known in advance because of the complicated movement. Objects created this way, are not designable in principle. Another example is a geometry obtained with complicated algorithms simulating and/or optimizing technological processes.
External links
- "DInsight. Embedded CAD". Dynoinsight.com. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- "Open CASCADE Technology, 3D modeling & numerical simulation". Opencascade.org. Retrieved 2012-11-28.