MBDVidia turns native or neutral CAD models with Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) into interoperable, downstream-ready Model-Based Definition (MBD) data. Engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams can open and review 3D product data, publish QIF or STEP AP242, and preserve the semantic meaning of dimensions, tolerances, datums, notes, features, and saved views beyond the authoring CAD system.
The software goes beyond viewing and file conversion. MBDVidia helps detect and repair semantic PMI issues, automatically creates a ballooned Bill of Characteristics, generates inspection-ready reports, and reconnects measured results to the authority model. This replaces disconnected drawings, spreadsheets, and manual transcription with structured data that can be reused across CAD, CAM, CMM, quality, supplier, and PLM workflows.
get in touch with our partner network
Compatible with :
MBDVidia standalone supports model-based workflows using native CAD data and neutral standards. Capvidia also provides authoring-side plugins and interfaces that publish data into MBDVidia workflows.
Neutral MBD standards
QIF; STEP AP242, including STEP AP242 Edition 3 read/write support in the 2026 R1 release.
Major CAD ecosystems
PTC Creo, Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS, and CATIA-related environments and interfaces.
Capvidia publishing products
MBDConnect for Creo; MBDConnect for NX; FormatWorks for SOLIDWORKS; Capvidia’s CATIA MBD interface.
Downstream categories
CAM, CMM / inspection, quality reporting, PLM/PDM, supplier collaboration, and enterprise MBE automation.
Key features
-
Publish standards-based MBD data in QIF and STEP AP242 for cross-system interoperability.
-
Make PMI and GD&T human-readable and machine-readable for downstream automation.
-
Automatically generate ballooned characteristics and a structured Bill of Characteristics.
-
Create customizable AS9102, PPAP, Excel, HTML, PDF, Net-Inspect, and related inspection outputs.
-
Import measurement results back into the model to maintain traceability from design intent to quality results.
-
Support OEM and supplier workflows across aerospace and defense, automotive, medical, and industrial manufacturing.
Main user base
MBDVidia is designed for organizations that need to move product definition reliably from engineering into manufacturing and quality, especially when multiple CAD systems, suppliers, inspection platforms, or regulated reporting requirements are involved.
OEMs and major manufacturers: Standardize MBD deliverables, publish neutral model-based data, and give internal teams and suppliers a reusable source of product requirements.
Aerospace and defense suppliers: Prepare ballooned characteristics, FAI deliverables, and traceable inspection data while supporting rigorous DPD/MBD processes.
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers: Accelerate PPAP and APQP-related dimensional reporting while keeping characteristics tied to the product model.
Medical-device and precision manufacturers: Reduce manual transcription and preserve traceable requirements through controlled manufacturing and inspection workflows.
Quality and metrology teams: Convert PMI into inspection-ready characteristic data, reports, and measurement-result feedback.
Digital transformation, PLM, and MBE teams: Connect standards-based, semantic product data across CAD, CAM, CMM, quality, supplier, and enterprise systems.
User stories
Detailed feature explanation
- Ingest and visualize product definition. Open supported native CAD or standards-based neutral MBD data and review the assembly structure, geometry, features, PMI, and saved views in a unified 3D environment.
- Check MBD readiness. Analyze PMI and GD&T for missing, conflicting, or incomplete semantic relationships that could stop downstream systems from interpreting requirements correctly.
- Heal and structure the data. Repair semantic PMI where needed, then organize requirements into a machine-readable Bill of Characteristics linked to the model.
- Publish interoperable deliverables. Write QIF or STEP AP242 so manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and enterprise systems can reuse both geometry and product requirements without depending on the authoring CAD application.
- Automate quality documentation. Apply balloon numbers and generate AS9102, PPAP, Excel, PDF, HTML, Net-Inspect, or configured customer reports with substantially less manual entry.
- Close the quality loop. Import measurement results and associate them with the relevant characteristics and features, maintaining traceability from design requirements to actual inspection outcomes.
Time saved
Time savings depend on model quality, report complexity, system integration, and the amount of manual work being replaced. Capvidia reports that public MBD/PMI studies have shown up to 80% fewer hours across annotation, machining, and inspection, while private Capvidia customer studies across workflows such as FAI/PPAP, CMM, CAD translation and validation, and engineering change management have produced 50–90% process time and cost savings. Capvidia also states that automated FAIR creation can reduce preparation time by up to 80%.
Resources
News and tutorials
- No news or tutorials currently available
About the developer
Founded in 1994, Capvidia develops software and services for Model-Based Definition (MBD), Model-Based Enterprise (MBE), CAD translation and validation, and standards-based manufacturing interoperability. Its technology turns the 3D model into a connected source of product truth by preserving machine-readable PMI and characteristics across design, manufacturing, quality, and the supply chain.
