There was an interesting conference on Model-Based Enterprise in Colorado.  About 120 people from the major aero, auto, and PLM companies showed up to discuss better ways of helping engineers collaborate and share technical data packages (TDP).

It’s interesting to see all of the competing “neutral” formats for 3D CAD — STEP, JT, RH, PRC, etc.

It’s pretty clear that the notion of MBE and TDP is starting to gain acceptance.