The OCX Interoperability forum has published their first test report!

The OCX Interoperability Forum (OCX-IF) has published its first test report from the OCX interoperability testing. The report covers the results from test round 1 which took place from September 2023 to October 2024.

The OCX Interoperability Forum is organised under the OCX Consortium and is responsible for testing the interoperability of software systems that implement the OCX standard. 

The OCX Interoperability Forum Test Report documents the results of the first interoperability test round, conducted between September 2023 and October 2024. The primary objective was to evaluate schema capabilities for geometry and scantling representation across various CAD systems, focusing on both basic and moderately complex shipbuilding models. The testing approach, framework, and data collection and reporting benefitted greatly from cooperative efforts with other International Standards testing organizations–namely the prostep Integrated Virtual Product (iViP) Association and the CAx Interoperability Forum. 

Key achievements 

• Established a standardized test process and validated schema capabilities for geometry and scantling representation.
• Test Scope: Nine test cases were executed, ranging from simple geometry models to more complex configurations.
• Participating Systems: Major CAD platforms, including AVEVA E3D, AITAC, Bureau Veritas, Cadmatic, Det Norske Veritas, Lloyds Register, Korean Register, Napa, ProSTEP, and others, contributed to the evaluation.
• Test Coverage across all test cases spanned ~68% of the Schema Elements, 46% of which were validated through statistics.

Test Case Performance 

Success rates varied significantly across test cases, with primary challenges arising from discrepancies in how CAD systems handle parameters like plate thickness, centre of gravity (COG), and geometry constraints. 

Root Causes of Failures

Errors were primarily due to: 

• Inconsistent interpretations of geometry schema.
• Differences in volumetric versus surface-based CAD modelling approaches.
• Mismatches between native and target system data outputs.

Recommendations

• Standardization: Improve clarity in schema definitions.
• Process Refinement: Address recurring errors, particularly in geometry and COG calculations.
• Future Testing Rounds: Adjust test cases to address system-specific limitations and improve interoperability outcomes. 

The report highlights both successes and areas for improvement, offering a roadmap for enhancing cross-platform interoperability in future testing iterations. For more detailed metrics, test results, and root cause analyses, download the full report.

The OCX-IF is already progressing well with the second test round which is running from November 2024 to July 2025. More tests are added to the second test round increasing OCX schema coverage test model complexity.