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Why is DRM for CAD Applications Necessary?

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Creating a product design involves various mix of experience, creativity, planning, and many resources. The design process establishes the foundation and defines the technology of a product. Many designers and engineers use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) applications to design two-dimensional (2D) drawings or three-dimensional (3D) models. CAD applications help them to optimize and streamline the workflow, increase productivity and improve the quality of designs. 

The product designs created by designers and engineers tend to be deemed as intellectual property (IP) of the organization. Very often, these valuable assets (which are saved as electronic files) need to be shared internally with employees and externally with global engineering and manufacturing partners and suppliers in order to proceed with the production stage. However, these product designs contain highly confidential information that is attractive to IP thieves. In recent years, IP theft has been a growing threat as warned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This means that organizations are more susceptible to data loss, which can affect the competitiveness and compliance of the organization. 

This heightens the need for organizations to apply rights management to be able to share sensitive product data internally and externally while protecting the document securely. The question many organizations ask is: how can organizations use digital rights management (DRM) to safeguard intellectual property stored in CAD applications? 

Digital Rights Management (DRM) for CAD Applications

NextLabs’ SkyDRM Digital Rights Management is designed to protect documents and data as it moves and is shared across the extended enterprise. To ensure secure collaboration, any file type can be protected securely and accessed from any device. SkyDRM Digital Rights Management leverages on attribute-based access control (ABAC) in which users are granted or denied permissions on usage control based on their attributes such as the user, location, and role. SkyDRM Digital Rights Management enables organizations to maintain centralized visibility and controlled-policy management in today’s dynamic environment. 

In specific to CAD applications, NextLabs also offers Digital Rights Management solutions for CAD applications which automatically extend security and control for files downloaded from various CAD applications to achieve end-to-end protection for confidential product data. 

To watch how NextLabs’ SkyDRM Digital Rights Management solution works for several popular CAD applications, please view our playlist on Integrated DRM for CAD Applications. — the CAD applications featured in this playlist: Autodesk AutoCAD, PTC Creo, CATIA, Siemens NX, and SolidWorks.  

DRM Features for Different CAD Apps

Autodesk AutoCAD

Autodesk AutoCAD is used for precise 2D and 3D drafting, design, and modeling with solids, surfaces, mesh objects, documentation features, and more in industries such as engineering, architecture and interior design. 

NextLabs’ Digital Rights Management eXtension (RMX) for AutoCAD allow users to work with DRM protected DWG file natively in AutoCAD. It provides persistent data protection for secure collaboration within and outside the organization using centralized policies. 

Key features of RMX for AutoCAD: 

  • New Protection – Protect a file directly in AutoCAD, and view classifications and permissions applied on the protected document. 
  • Access Control – Allow authorized users to access the document based on rights policy settings. 
  • Usage Control – Enforce the permissions granted on a protected document to control the commands that can be performed. 
  • Anti-Screen Capture Support – Prevents screen capture with a screenshot tool or shared by video communication software if permission is not granted. 
  • Persistent Protection – Protect the new document automatically with the same classifications if it is generated from a protected document.
  • Watermark Overlay – Display dynamic watermark as secure overlay when opening protected file. 
  • Centralized Visibility – Data owners get full visibility into how their data is being shared, accessed, and used. 

PTC Creo

PTC Creo offers a range of 3D CAD product development applications, which enable organizations to design, create, and enhance products in industries such as manufacturing and automotive. 

NextLabs’ Digital Rights Management eXtension (RMX) for Creo allow users to work with DRM protected file natively in Creo. It provides persistent data protection for secure collaboration within and outside the organization using centralized policies. 

Key features of RMX for Creo: 

  • New Protection – Protect a file directly in Creo, and view classifications and permissions applied on the protected document in Creo. 
  • Access Control – Allow authorized users to access the document based on rights policy settings. 
  • Usage Control – Enforce the permissions granted on a protected document to control the commands that can be performed.  
  • Anti-Screen Capture Support – Prevents screen capture with a screenshot tool or shared by video communication software if permission is not granted. 
  • Persistent Protection – Protect the new document automatically with the same classifications if it is generated from a protected document. 
  • Watermark Overlay – Display dynamic watermark as secure overlay when opening protected file. 
  • Centralized Visibility – Data owners get full visibility into how their data is being shared, accessed, and used. 
  • Support Teamcenter Client Communication System (TCCS) and JT Dispatch – Enable TCCS and JT Dispatch to work with the protected file by NextLabs’ SkyDRM Digital Rights Management.  

CATIA

Dassault Systems CATIA is used by leading organizations in multiple industries to develop the products we see and use in our everyday lives. 

NextLabs’ Digital Rights Management eXtension (RMX) for CATIA allow users to work with DRM protected file natively in CATIA. It provides persistent data protection for secure collaboration within and outside the organization using centralized policies. 

Key features of RMX for CATIA: 

  • Access Control – Allow authorized users to access the document based on rights policy settings. 
  • Usage Control – Enforce the permissions granted on a protected document to control the commands that can be performed.
  • Anti-Screen Capture Support – Prevents screen capture with a screenshot tool or shared by video communication software if permission is not granted.
  • Persistent Protection – Protect the new document automatically with the same classifications if it is generated from a protected document.
  • Centralized Visibility – Data owners get full visibility into how their data is being shared, accessed, and used.
  • Watermark Overlay – Display dynamic watermark as secure overlay when opening protected file. 

Siemens NX

Siemens NX is an integrated toolset that supports every aspect of product development, and enables organizations to deliver products faster and with greater efficiency.   

NextLabs’ Digital Rights Management eXtension (RMX) for NX allow users to work with DRM protected file natively in NX. It provides persistent data protection for secure collaboration within and outside the organization using centralized policies. 

Key features of RMX for NX: 

  • New Protection – Protect a file directly in NX, and view classifications and permissions applied on the protected document in NX. 
  • Access Control – Allow authorized users to access the document based on rights policy settings.
  • Usage Control – Enforce the permissions granted on a protected document to control the commands that can be performed. 
  • Anti-Screen Capture Support – Prevents screen capture with a screenshot tool or shared by video communication software if permission is not granted.
  • Persistent Protection – Protect the new document automatically with the same classifications if it is generated from a protected document.
  • Watermark Overlay – Display dynamic watermark as secure overlay when opening protected file.
  • Centralized Visibility – Data owners get full visibility into how their data is being shared, accessed, and used.
  • Support Teamcenter Client Communication System (TCCS) – Enable TCCS to work with the protected file by NextLabs’ SkyDRM Digital Rights Management. 

SolidWorks

Dassault Systems SolidWorks is a solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) application published. 

NextLabs’ Digital Rights Management eXtension (RMX) for SolidWorks allow users to work with DRM protected file natively in SolidWorks. It provides persistent data protection for secure collaboration within and outside the organization using centralized policies. 

Key features of RMX for SolidWorks: 

  • New Protection – Protect a file directly in SolidWorks, and view classifications and permissions applied on the protected document in SolidWorks. 
  • Access Control – Allow authorized users to access the document based on rights policy settings. 
  • Usage Control – Enforce the permissions granted on a protected document to control the commands that can be performed.  
  • Anti-Screen Capture Support – Prevents screen capture with a screenshot tool or shared by video communication software if permission is not granted. 
  • Persistent Protection – Protect the new document automatically with the same classifications if it is generated from a protected document.
  • Watermark Overlay – Display dynamic watermark as secure overlay when opening protected file.
  • Centralized Visibility – Data owners get full visibility into how their data is being shared, accessed, and used.
  • Support Teamcenter Client Communication System (TCCS) – Enable TCCS to work with the protected file by NextLabs’ SkyDRM Digital Rights Management. 

Bentley ProjectWise

Bentley ProjectWise is a suite of engineering project collaboration software designed for project teams in industries such as architecture, engineering, and construction to manage, share and distribute engineering project content, and review them in a single platform. 

NextLabs’ Digital Rights Management eXtension (RMX) for ProjectWise allow users to work with DRM protected file natively in ProjectWise. It provides persistent data protection for secure collaboration within and outside the organization using centralized policies. 

Key features of RMX for ProjectWise: 

  • Automated Rights Protection – Automatically encrypt and tag files in ProjectWise before sharing with employees, suppliers, or partners. Rights are determined by ABAC that leverages on the relevant information upon request. 
  • Access Control – Allow authorized users to access the document based on rights policy settings. 
  • Usage Control – Enforce the permissions granted on a protected document to control the commands that can be performed. Authorized users can open, view, and even modify the protected files using native MicroStation and AutoCAD application.
  • Anti-Screen Capture Support – Prevents screen capture with a screenshot tool or shared by video communication software if permission is not granted.
  • Persistent Protection – Protect the new document automatically with the same classifications if it is generated from a protected document.
  • Watermark Overlay – Display dynamic watermark as secure overlay when opening protected file.
  • Supported File Formats – Rights protection capabilities can be applied to any file type, including DGN, DWG, GIF, JPEG, Adobe and Microsoft Office documents.
  • Centralized Visibility – Data owners get full visibility into how their data is being shared, accessed, and used. 

Microstation

Bentley MicroStation is the only CAD software purpose-built for infrastructure design, helping architects and engineers to bring their vision to life, present their designs to their clients, and deliver their projects to the community. 

NextLabs’ Digital Rights Management eXtension (RMX) for MicroStation allow users to work with DRM protected file natively in MicroStation. It provides persistent data protection for secure collaboration within and outside the organization using centralized policies. 

Key Features of RMX for MicroStation: 

  • New Protection – Protect a file directly in SolidWorks, and view classifications and permissions applied on the protected document in SolidWorks.
  • Access Control – Allow authorized users to access the document based on rights policy settings.
  • Usage Control – Enforce the permissions granted on a protected document to control the commands that can be performed. 
  • Anti-Screen Capture Support – Prevents screen capture with a screenshot tool or shared by video communication software if permission is not granted.
  • Persistent Protection – Protect the new document automatically with the same classifications if it is generated from a protected document.
  • Watermark Overlay – Display dynamic watermark as secure overlay when opening protected file.
  • Centralized Visibility – Data owners get full visibility into how their data is being shared, accessed, and used. 

For more information on Safeguarding Intellectual Property in CAD Applications, please view our Intellectual Property Protection White Paper, and Solution Paper. 

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