Functional design

The following schematic diagram illustrates the functional design of SPCat:

Data import

SPCat Editor is used for importing the following data:

Parts list

In order to enable subsequent automatic processing and to create a useful catalog, the parts list should meet the following requirements:

• Hierarchical information: Position of the spare part/assembly in the tree structure
• Position number of the spare part/assembly inside of another assembly
• Drawing number/file name of the design drawing related to the spare part/assembly

Graphics

Graphics files may contain technical drawings or digitized photographs of the assemblies and spare parts in the catalog. They are normally available in the pixel format TIFF or in the vector format DXF.

SPCat's conversion modules will automatically read a number of graphics files formats and convert them to the GIF and PNG formats which are displayed by the catalog. In the case of vector graphics files, the positon numbers of spare parts in assemblies will also be identified. more...

The parts list and graphics files are automatically linked by SPCat, thereby creating a tree structure of the system and the graphics related to the assemblies. If SPCat has identified position numbers in a vector graphics file, active areas (hyperlinks) for navigation will be created automatically.

SPCat Editor is used for further processing of catalogs which have been created via automatic data import. On the other hand, you may also create catalogs "by hand" if no suitable data source is available for import.

Output formats

End-user catalogs may be produced for the following media:

Paper print

SPCat automatically generates a printed version of the catalog based on your corporate identity. Design drawings of assemblies and the related parts lists are arranged on pages facing each other. Page numbers are arranged in a special way ensuring easy orientation throughout the printed catalog. more...

CDROM

A CDROM is created by recording the entire SPCat directory on a CDROM. SPCat is shipped with a start routine which automatically offers a start menu to the end user after the CDROM has been inserted. Additional software for creating a setup routine is not required for distributing SPCat spare parts catalogs.

HTML Help file / CHM file

SPCat automatically generates a CHM file from the catalog data. This is an electronic document with the functionality of Microsoft HTML Help files - similar to the help files commonly found under the Microsoft Windows operating system. HTML Help offers a table of contents, index, full-text search, and it runs under all Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Internet

SPCat catalogs can be published on the Internet via SQLCat. SQLCat is an extremely fast database and webserver solution for publication of hierarchical document structures. It is based on Microsoft SQL Server and Internet Information Server. more...

How to generate a printed version of the catalog

COM automation SPCat is able to forward data to other application programs (e.g. Microsoft Word) via "COM automation". This method is used to create a printable version of the catalog: After the user has specified the required options, the print function of SPCat automatically generates a Microsoft Word file which contains the printable version of the catalog. The only technical requirements for this method are Microsoft Word software installed on the SPCat workstation and development of the required Microsoft Word style templates.

Advantages

• Layout or corporate identity changes require only the Microsoft Word style templates to be adapted.
• On request, SPCat can be adapted to any layout/typesetting/print tool which is suitable for COM automation. SPCat is also available with an XML export module as an option. This way SPCat integrates into many editorial environments without the need for new typesetting/print tools.
• The use of external standard applications for printing yields professional results while keeping the cost of development low - the basis for the excellent price-performance ratio of SPCat.

For further information on catalog printing, refer to section "Features" under Printing - Printing the entire catalog / Creating a PDF file.

How to convert drawings to catalog-readable formats

COM automation SPCat is able to control other application programs (e.g. Corel Photopaint, Adobe Illustrator) via "COM automation". This method is used to automatically convert TIFF or DXF graphics files to the GIF and PNG formats displayed by the catalog.  In the case of DXF graphics, it is also possible to determine the position of text objects in the drawings (e.g. position numbers of the subparts of an assembly) - this allows to automatically create active areas (hyperlinks) in the drawings. Unwanted objects (e.g. drawing header, dimensioning lines) can likewise be removed if they are identified clearly (e.g. when stored in different drawing layers). The only technical requirements for this method are Corel Photopaint or Adobe Illustrator software installed on the SPCat workstation.

Advantages

• On request, the conversion rotuines of SPCat can be adapted to any image processing software which is suitable for COM automation.
• SPCat can easily be extended to read graphics file formats other than TIFF and DXF, provided that these formats can be imported by the external graphics program. This means that SPCat integrates into many editorial environments without the need for new graphics tools. This also eliminates the need for any preceding external conversion of the graphics files.
• The use of external standard applications for image processing yields professional results while keeping the cost of development low - the basis for the excellent price-performance ratio of SPCat.