Abstract: A computer implemented system, method, and article of manufacture provide access to a drawing. A server computer has one or more server component applications. One or more drawing files are created by a first drawing application and stored on the server computer. A search server component application executes on the server computer and provides a query engine that allows queries of the one or more drawing files to locate data. A conversion server component application executes on the server computer and dynamically convert the drawing files into a drawing file format viewable by a client application executing on a client compute. The server component applications are further configured to provide the one or more drawing files that have been dynamically converted to the client computer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for automating the finding and serving of CAD design data is disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention increase the level of access and automation possible with design data. One or more embodiments of the invention provide a server comprised of various components including an information extraction component, a search component, and a conversion component. The various components provide users with enhanced access to drawing and design data. One or more embodiments of the invention also provide programmable, scriptable components that can query, filter, manipulate, merge, and translate design drawing data using the Web browser interface. Further, Web site administrators can use the present invention to dynamically index and publish design drawing data.