Compatibility with CAD Files

We're well versed in the creation and handling of solid models and engineering design data. Since our customers manufacture a diverse range of equipment and systems, our highly skilled technical illustrators are accustomed to working with a wide variety of engineering files and source material. We have produced literally hundreds of thousands of illustrations from a variety of sources, such as: 3D models, 2D paper engineering prints, videos, and photos. Customer sketches are used as additional source material. When available, we really like to have the hardware. For accuracy and efficiency, our illustrators often visit our customer's site to prepare sketches or even final artwork.

Some of the CAD software we've worked with includes: Solidworks, Unigraphics, CATIA, Pro/Engineer, AutoCAD, and others. O'Neil uses a variety of CAD, post-CAD, and visualization/collaboration software to optimize that data based upon the need of the project.

Security of engineering data is a concern to all of our clients. It is a major concern to O'Neil that the data is protected. Model files are stored on our network under rigid rights-protected file structure and behind the strongest of firewalls and security.

In the creation of manuals, such information as tool passes and stress analysis are unnecessary. The part geometry and reference information are all that are required. When possible, we pull nomenclature, quantity, next higher assemblies (NHAs), and part numbers from the metadata resident in the CAD files. That's it.

O'Neil uses several post-CAD and visualization tools:

Those applications enable us to utilize STEP, IGES, and VRML files from any of the major CAD applications to create illustrations using the already drawn geometric data. That allows us to reduce or eliminate redundancy and pass along the savings to our client.

O'Neil also uses several CAD tools:

Reuse of CAD data can result in great savings and enhanced quality. Why pay for drawing what's already drawn? The challenge in preparing product support information from CAD data is that of omission in the CAD model. Many manufacturers do not include breakdown of vendor components in their model. Many do not draw belts, hoses, or wires. Because O'Neil has a great tool set and highly skilled technical illustrators, we are able to fill the gap by drawing the missing parts and merging components when available.

The key to success is not only having the best available tools but also having the experienced and skilled staff with the knowledge and wisdom to use them appropriately. O'Neil is proud to have both.