3D Digital Design of Cranes' Structures Based on Hybrid Software ArchitectureWANG Chonghua1,LI Hua 1,2 (1.Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,Shanghai Maritime University,Shanghai 200135,China;2.Worcester Polytechnic Institute,Worcester 01609,MA,USA)3D digital design for cranes' structures based on hybrid software architecture of Client/Server and Browser/Server is introduced in this paper. Based on Pro/ENGINEER platform,3D parametric model family is built to allow generation of feasible configurations of cranes' structures in Client/Server framework. Taking use of Visual C++,the second exploiting software kit provided by Pro/ENGINEER and ANSYS GUI/APDL modeling patterns,an integration method of 3D CAD and CAE is achieved,which includes regeneration of 3D parametric model,synchronous updating and analysis of FEA model. As in Browser/Server framework,the 3D CAD models of parts,components and the whole structure could also be displayed in the customer's browser in VRML format.digital design; crane's structure; hybrid software architecture; CAD/CAE integration