JT (visualization format)

JT files are used in PLM systems by engineers and other specialists to visualize and work with the geometry of products of any degree of complexity. The format and related software are structured to provide the ability to quickly load, edit and manage a large number of parts in real time. The JT format allows you to save faceted geometry of a 3D model, exact geometry ( NURBS ), technological information ( Product and manufacturing information ), as well as metadata exported either from native CAD systems or brought in by the product data management system ( PDM ).

Types of stored data in JT format ^[2] :

• exact and / or faceted representation of geometry;
• environment and lighting parameters;
• texture maps;
• product structure;
• attributes (color, layer, font);
• technological information.

The JT format is also used for collaborative product development Collaborative Product Development and the exchange of design data. JT files are created by transmitting data from various CAD systems, such as NX , Solid Edge , CATIA , Creo Elements / Pro , Autodesk Inventor and others. JT supports various CAD systems and allows you to share a lightweight representation of the product design, without worrying about which CAD data were created, and which applications will be used next. This allows you to use JT to facilitate the presentation of data in digital mock-ups based on several different CAD systems. All necessary information can be submitted in JT format. The use of the JT format in the Teamcenter (Lifecycle Visualization) system, which is compatible with various CAD tools, allows team members to view, markup, analyze, and coordinate projects created using different CAD packages. It does not require the acquisition of additional licenses for CAD tools or the availability of skills to work with them. JT format is well suited for accurate display of surfaces. It is also possible to use JT to display engineering analysis results. The structure of the JT file is capable of supporting all of the above types of data. However, not all “downstream” applications will require absolutely all the data. The program in which the JT file is created must be configured so that it includes only the information that will be required at the next stages of the product life cycle . However, a wider data set can also be generated. In this case, the application using the JT file will download only what it needs, based on the user's presets.

The JT format is a widespread standard for 3D visualization , collaboration, and data exchange in industries such as automotive, aerospace, defense, and heavy engineering. Many global OEMs use this format for visualization at various stages of the product life cycle . ^{[3] [4] [5]}

The JT format was developed by Engineering Animation Inc. in the mid-1990s to support modeling, visualization, and digital layout applications. After UGS acquired Engineering Animation, JT became part of the company's software package. In early 2007 , UGS announced the publication of the JT specification as an open data format. In 2007, UGS was acquired by Siemens AG and became known as Siemens PLM Software ^[6] . In March 2008, the steering committee of the Siemens CIO Global Forum decided to use the 3D JT format as a single corporate standard for collaboration and data storage at all enterprises of the concern in the world ^[7] . In September 18, 2009, JT certification began as an ISO standard, the Publicly Available Specification (PAS). In December 2012, JT certification was officially published by ISO 14306: 2012 ^[8] .

The JT Open Consortium is a community of leading global enterprises, clients, independent software developers , industry advocates, and even competitors that promote JT technology and use the JT standard to visualize data. About 200 corporate and individual members participate in this program.

Participants in the JT Open program are companies such as Ford Motor , Adobe , PTC , Microsoft , Caterpillar , Procter & Gamble ^[9] . The Management Review Board meets several times a year to review the results and identify priorities for future development. The Technical Review Board has similar functions related to technical issues. Individual JT Open Program members are not members of these committees, however they may make suggestions for improving the program. JT Open Program members are committed to expanding their support for JT in developing their products. The discussions at the Governing Body meetings resulted in the publication of the JT specification as an open format . Siemens PLM Software’s focus on openness was also expressed in collaboration with Microsoft to expand the use of 3D in the new Windows Vista operating system with support for the XML XAML language ^[10] .

JT Open Toolkit is a C ++ software library that allows you to create and use JT files. This toolkit exists for both Windows and UNIX . Using the JT Open Toolkit ensures full data compatibility.

JT2Go is a free JT data viewer. JT2Go includes plugins for the Microsoft Office suite , which make it possible to insert 3D models in JT format into Microsoft Word , Excel, and PowerPoint documents ^[11] .

• Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. JT file format specification. Version 10, Rev-B (pdf) (2015)
• Siemens PLM Software Russia. Section "PLM Components"