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PMI Viewer

Location:

     X-Caliper tab > (PMI Viewer)

     Project Tree > Stock/Design model > PMI (Right-click) > Open PMI Viewer

The PMI Viewer in VERICUT allows users to access and display Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) embedded in 3D CAD STEP models. PMI data includes vital non-geometric metadata—such as dimensions, notes, GD&T callouts, surface finish, and material specifications—that traditionally appear on 2D manufacturing drawings. Integrating PMI into VERICUT supports Model-Based Definition (MBD) and Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) workflows and initiatives, allowing users to validate, visualize, and capture 3D annotations directly within the simulation environment.

If PMI data exists in a STEP AP242 file, it can be displayed after import for Stock and Design models.

    

Supported PMI Concepts:

VERICUT uses terminology consistent with the STEP AP 242 standard and major CAD systems:

  • Captures — Equivalent to "Combination States" in CAD, are predefined views/orientations with associated annotations. In Vericut’s PMI Viewer window, Captures are labeled as Captured Views.

  • Views — Individual PMI annotations such as dimensions, notes, or callouts. In Vericut’s PMI Viewer window, Views are labeled as Annotations.

  • PMI may be available for both the Stock and Design models, depending on what is included in the imported CAD file.

  • PMI data in Vericut can be used in X-Caliper > Annotated Images > Inspection images

PMI Viewer Window:

The PMI Viewer provides a structured interface to manage PMI visibility.

Display PMI Data for:

  • Toggle between Stock and Design models to display the respective PMI data (if available).

Captures:

  • Lists the available Combination States from the CAD model.

  • Each capture represents a saved orientation and the set of annotations linked to that view.

  • Checkboxes allow you to toggle individual captures ON/OFF.

Views:

  • Displays all annotations associated with the currently selected capture.

  • Each annotation (dimension, GD&T, note, etc.) can be individually toggled ON/OFF for display.

Behavior During Simulation:

  • If the PMI Viewer is open, only the selected Captured Views and Annotations will be visible.

  • When a simulation is started, all Annotations are hidden from all Vericut Views and the PMI Viewer window is closed

  • If the PMI Viewer window is closed, all displayed annotations are removed from view.

PMI Integration with Other Features:

  • Annotated Images > Inspection: PMI annotations for the Design model can be included in inspection images captured from the simulation.

  • PMI data and selected Captured Views/Annotations are saved with the VERICUT project and reloaded with the .vcproject file.