After almost 30 years of use*, the CERN Drawing Directory (CDD) will be gradually phased out before the end of 2024. The new PLM platform will then become the official system for managing all computer-aided design (CAD) data at CERN.

Since 1996, CDD has been the application for managing all technical drawings made at CERN and in external institutes and companies collaborating with the Organization. Over half a million drawings have been stored in the system over the years and more than 40 000 users have used it to manage their drawings. The data stored in CDD is being transferred to the PLM platform to ensure continuity and accessibility and to facilitate a smooth transition between the two systems.

During the transition period, data stored in SmarTeam will have to be verified in the PLM system using the Design Verification Workflow process, which corresponds to the CDD control process. The SmarTeam data verification process will then be aligned with the methodology already in use for non-CATIA drawings in the PLM system. Indeed, the PLM system has been used to manage and verify all CAD drawings other than CATIA drawings since May 2023.

In the near future, the PLM platform will not only replace CDD, but also SmarTeam and will be the official system for authoring, storing and verifying all CAD data, including CATIA, CERN’s primary Mechanical CAD tool.

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* CDD was one of CERN’s first web-based applications. It was developed between 1994 and 1996 to allow collaborating institutes and sub-contractors to upload their drawings using a web application. On 17 May 1996, it replaced its predecessor ODD, and over 40 000 drawings were transferred. Other drawings from around CERN (SPS, civil engineering, electrical network, etc.) were then also transferred to CDD, including drawings scanned from paper and microfilm.

More information about the replacement of the CDD is available on the CAD & PLM service website.