Physna 101: Identify

Ralph Miera

Physna is a cloud-based software that understands 3D models based on their precise object geometry, turning a model’s unique geometry into code.

For manufacturers with tens or hundreds of thousands of parts and disparate CAD, PLM, and PDM systems that aren’t always integrated with one another, finding the necessary parts is a hassle requiring legacy knowledge. That’s because simple, Google-like searching isn’t always possible due to poorly organized or labeled 3D data.

Smart tags
Identify — one of Physna’s prediction models — automatically generates “smart tags,” or metadata, for every 3D model.

Metadata is the data providing information about one or more aspects of the data. For 3D models, predictive metadata is information like understanding two differently named parts are the same, using the geometry of the part.

Predicting metadata
Identify uses the geometry of an object to predict metadata about a model.

For example, if an engineer searches for a model of a wingnut, Physna will recognize the geometric similarity to another part that might be labeled “butterfly nut,” and suggest “wingnut” as a smart tag, so that when future users search either term, all relevant parts will return as search results.

Physna Overview Series | Smart Tags - YouTube
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Physna Overview Series | Smart Tags

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This is true for individual parts, like a wingnut/butterfly nut, but Identify will also recommend smart tags for larger assemblies or products of which the wingnut/butterfly is a component. That way, when users search for “wingnut,” all similar parts and larger models with wingnuts or butterfly nuts will appear in search results.

Identify can predict any metadata so long as 1) the company tracks the data for some of their models and 2) that data point is related to the geometry of the part or its components.

Enrich 3D models with 2D data
Identify enriches 3D models with 2D data, making associations previously never possible, making it easier for anyone to search and find models and alternatives.

Additional resources
Stop wasting time searching for models and parts you already have. Talk to our team today.

Go deeper on Physna’s predictive capabilities.

Ralph Miera