Data
Interface
External data format translation is required .
Internally-translated neutral data format is used, no external data translation is required.
No internally translated neutral data format is used, no data translation is required.
Pr
og
ram
Int
e
r
f
ac
e
Requires user to exit from current program back to operating system to run second
program. The round-trip process is not necessarily automated, and the user
may need to specify datafiles.
Launches second program without exiting current program. When finished, user
is returned back to first program in the same state as when it was exited.
This is either an integral part of the program, or appears that way to the
user. No program is launched, no exit is required.
Availabili
ty
Requires purchase from a third party of optional software not supported by the vendor.
Requires purchase of optional software supported by the vendor and sold
either by the vendor or by a third party.
Included as part of the system.
Requires custom programming. Can be accomplished in less than
one man-month with tools included as part of the system.
Scheduled to be incorporated in the next release of the software.
Not appropriate or not applicable.
No, or not possible.
Symbol as appears in the books tables:
7
-
+ m l J H n z
y u F G
58
rendering, presentation
59
rendering, realistic
60
schematic design
61
scientific visualization
62a
sheetmetal design
62b
site engineering
63
site planning
64
sketching
65
slope analysis
66
space management
67
space requirements planning
68
specifications
69
steel design
70
steel detailing
71
street design
72
structural analysis
73
structural design
74
survey data input (direct)
75
technical documentation
76
tenant management
77
text editing
78
thermal analysis
79
time accounting
80
twisted steel analysis
81
twisted steel design
82a
utilities mapping
82b
wire harness design
83
workcell simulation
84
zoning code analysis
Database Engine
85
define and revise reports within CAD system
86
can use an external database (e.g., Oracle, dBase, Informix...)
to store attribute and other data
87
report across multiple drawings/files
88
pick and isolate graphic objects through database queries
89
automatic recalculation of extracted quantities when drawing is changed
©C
opy
righ
t
1
990
,
1
991
,
1
9
9
2
,
19
93,
19
94
,
199
6
W
BH
AS
SOC
IATE
S
Page 14
The CAD Rating Guide
April 1996
Vendor Survey for the Fifth Edition
WBH Associates
8220 Stone Trail Drive
301-365-5262 / 301-365-4586 fax
Bethesda, MD 20817-4556
74777.3073@compuserve.com
