Since the JT open standard became ISO certified in 2012 and then ISO-revised in 2017, the 3D data format, many, if not most, CAD programs have adopted JT functionality.

JT is a standardized 3D data format used for product visualization, collaboration, CAD data exchange, and sometimes for long-term data retention. The JT file format can store an arbitrary number of faceted representations with varying levels of detail. It can contain any combination of data, including NURBS surfaces, product and manufacturing information (PMI), and metadata, either exported from native CAD systems or inserted into product data management systems.

ISO JT V2 , the revised ISO standard, includes the incorporation of a STEP B-rep as an additional B-rep segment.

The open standard came to mind in light of the Theorem Solutions announcement of it’s release of V20.3, part of the Visualize 3D product suite. The visualization product supports Creo 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 along with JT 10.0. Theorem has a strategic partnerships with PTC and Siemens that ensures that there is parallel development between the latest releases of Creo and JT, and Theorem’s Visualize 3D products, allowing Theorem to continue to provide data solutions for Creo users wanting to create JT data.

JT is particularly useful to CAD visualization systems, which don’t need the full capacity of the original CAD system. Rather, suppliers and others can view the CAD drawing without the need for access to the CAD program it was created with. JT is useful here because it can house lightweight geometry and product manufacturing information from CAD systems.

The JT standard was originally created by Engineering Animation and Hewlett Packard and at that time it was called Jupiter Tessellation. By dictionary definition, a  tessellation is an arrangement of shapes closely fitted together, especially of polygons in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping. Following a series of company acquisitions, the 3D data format is now under the purview of Siemens PLM Software, headquartered in Plano, Texas. JT is the common interoperability format in use across all of Siemens PLM Software and has been adopted as the long-term data archival format across all of Siemens.

The format was originally created to support the interactive display of very large assemblies containing tens of thousands of components. When the whole product is displayed on the computer screen, the hosting the visualizing application displays only a simple model. However, as the user zooms into a particular area, progressively finer representations are loaded and displayed. Over time, unused representations are unloaded to save memory.

Theorem’s upgraded Visualize 3D product suite includes general improvements to read and write functions. Theorem’s Visualize 3D products are aimed at creating visualization data for users of digital mock-up, virtual reality or desktop applications.

Additional features and enhancements in V20.3 include support for assembly occurrences and the reading of PMI attributes.

Theorem’s Visualize 3D products are aimed at creating visualization data for users of digital mockup, virtual reality, or desktop applications.

The products support the lightweight data formats: 3DXML, Creo View, and JT. They focus specifically on the direct translation of 3D CAD data from mechanical CAD systems to enable users to work with and share data directly between different CAD and visualization applications.

The V20.3 system flows from Creo to JT, but can be licensed with Theorem’s JT to Creo converter to create a bi-directional product.

Using JT with additional 3D PMI data as part of a Model Based Definition process allows the user to reduce the overall design costs associated with the creation of conventional 2D drawings.

Sharing Creo data using the neutral ISO standard JT format allows organizations to protect the intellectual property of their designs while allowing users to explore the shape, and more easily understand the 3D definition. The IP protection can be enhanced by restricting the JT representation to be tessellated data only, according to a Theorem statement.