ISO 10303-46-1994 PDF

Full title and description

Industrial automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange — Part 46: Integrated generic resources: Visual presentation. This part of ISO 10303 (STEP) defines the integrated generic resources and mechanisms used to describe how product information is visually presented (presentation attributes, mapping of product data to presentation, layering and presentation areas, fonts and symbols, and geometric approximation control).

Abstract

Defines resources and constructs for representing the visual appearance of product data within STEP-compliant data sets. Topics include linking product data to presentation, presentation style attributes, approximation tolerances for geometric presentation elements, font and symbol appearance (including use of external fonts), layer-based image control, and nested presentation areas. It does not define the product information content itself nor support exchange of purely graphical data unlinked to product information.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn.
• Publication date: December 1994 (1994-12).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial process measurement and control).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1994).
• Number of pages: 211 (original ISO publication).

Scope

Specifies the integrated generic resources needed to represent and exchange the visual presentation of product information in STEP files. The scope covers presentation-to-product associations, required graphics functionality consistent with ISO graphics standards, style and appearance attributes, control of approximation for displayed geometry, character and symbol appearance (including referencing external fonts), layer control and nesting of presentation areas. It explicitly excludes definitions of product content and standalone exchange of purely graphical data without linkage to product information.

Key topics and requirements

• Resources for mapping product data to presentation constructs (presentation contexts and associations).
• Presentation style attributes (color, line style, shading, visibility controls).
• Control of geometric approximation and tolerance parameters for displayed geometry.
• Definitions and handling of characters, symbols and use of external font resources.
• Layer mechanism for image control and rules for nesting presentation areas.
• Compliance with relevant ISO graphics standards for consistent visualization behavior.

Typical use and users

Used by CAD/PLM/visualization software developers, STEP implementers, data-exchange integrators, and organizations building interoperability layers between product-data systems. Typical tasks include implementing STEP application interpreters, developing visualization modules that render STEP product information, and creating conversion tools that preserve presentation intent. Users range from software engineers and system integrators to standards committees and technical authors.

Related standards

This part is one element of the ISO 10303 (STEP) family and interacts with other APs and integrated resources that define product geometry, topology and semantics. The 1994 edition of Part 46 has been maintained with technical corrigenda and later revised by newer editions (subsequent revisions of Part 46 were produced, including a 2011 revision and a more recent update referenced by ISO).

Keywords

ISO 10303, STEP, visual presentation, integrated generic resources, product data exchange, presentation style, fonts, layers, approximation tolerances, visualization

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is Part 46 of ISO 10303 (STEP) specifying the integrated generic resources for visual presentation of product information in STEP data sets.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers how product data is linked to presentation data, presentation style attributes, presentation-area nesting, layer control, font and symbol appearance, and control of approximation tolerances for displayed geometry; it does not define product content or support exchange of purely graphical data unlinked to product information.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: CAD/PLM software developers, STEP implementers, visualization-tool developers, and data-exchange specialists who need to preserve or render presentation intent when exchanging product data.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1994 edition of ISO 10303-46 has been withdrawn; it was maintained with corrigenda and later revised by subsequent editions (later revisions of Part 46 were published, including a 2011 revision and more recent updates referenced by ISO). For current normative text, use the latest published edition of ISO 10303‑46.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the ISO 10303 series (commonly known as STEP), a multi-part international standard for product data representation and exchange.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: STEP, ISO 10303, visual presentation, integrated generic resources, presentation attributes, layering, fonts, tolerance, data exchange.