Some key issues in supporting collaborative design in product data management(PDM ) system and 3D computer aided design(CAD) system integrated environment are analyzed. The general architecture of the integrated environment is divided into five tiers and employs the transparently integrated mode, with the mode, function calling and information exchanging among independent PDM and CAD processes are carried out via message translation /parse approach. Product layout feature(PLF ) model definition is presented, PLF model is used to represent design intention at the preliminary design phase. The collaborative design methodology employing the PLF model in PDM/3D CAD integrated environment is analyzed. The design methodology can speed up the design process, reduce the investment and improve the product quality.
