This book discusses how leading Japanese manufacturers use 3D data in downstream processes, how the IT infrastructure required for this has been built, and some of the trial and error behind these developments. Each of the companies introduced as case studies are leaders in Japanese industry. It should be particularly interesting to European and American manufacturers to learn how their counterparts in Japan make use of IT to gain competitive strength. In fact, European and American manufacturers are starting to use 3D in downstream processes; this book includes examples from three leading manufacturers. It is interesting to note that the software described in this book, which supports manufacturing, a forte of Japan, was also developed in Japan, demonstrating that outstanding software is indeed nurtured by outstanding users.