Even with One Million SolidWorks licenses out there (Learn more here), many users find themselves dealing with imported data from time to time. This data usually comes to the designer in the format of IGES, STEP, Parasolid, or possibly native Pro/E, Inventor, and UG files. Fortunately, SolidWorks can import all of these data types, along with many others. Here are four tips for working with imported 3D data:
1. Get the right format
Is there a single-best format in which a user should request 3D CAD data? Yes, SolidWorks format of course! Seriously though, there are myriad formats out there. Some types are neutral, agreed-upon standards while some are proprietary and require licensing from a commercial entity. The best format depends on where the data is coming from.
Parasolid (.x_t or .x_b) is my usual recommendation, since SolidWorks is based on that kernel. Other software also licenses that technology, e.g. Unigraphics, SolidEdge, and MicroStation. Any software users with the ability to export parasolid should provide that format for import into SolidWorks. IGES and STEP files, both neutral formats, would be my second and third choices for data, respectively.
2. Say ‘Yes' to Import Diagnostics
Any time SolidWorks opens a non-native file type, the software first creates a SolidWorks document. SolidWorks uses the ‘Default Templates' system setting to determine which template to choose (or whether to prompt the user). The second thing to happen is the Import Diagnostics command is started:
Make it a habit to always answer ‘Yes' to this question. It will analyze the geometric data, and then allow for automated repair if issues are detected. Most of the time, it will find a few faulty faces or surface gaps, and most of the time these entities are repaired with one click. On some poor-quality imported data, the user will have to clean up via surfacing anything that is left behind. Pay attention to whether the data is solid or surface bodies, or possibly a mix. To become a solid, a surface must usually be patched until it is water-tight.
3. Use FeatureWorks
Imported files contain only geometric data, not the history of how it was made. FeatureWorks is a tool that allows imported solids to be transformed into an intelligent feature tree. It reverses a "dumb" imported part with only one feature (the imported body) into a full feature history. An example would be this IGES file with no history after being opened:
FeatureWorks has a few different recognition modes. Fore simple geometries, the automatic mode is pretty much turnkey. Alternatively, a user can proceed through manual interaction with the module to point out geometry that needs to be a certain feature type. After running the automatic recognition, 15 seconds later we see a fully-defined, parametric, SolidWorks part.
A complete feature history is invaluable when it comes time for complex design changes or creating a detailed drawing (it will also fully define the absorbed sketches). It is not always necessary to reverse a part that far. One tip is to use FeatureWorks on a feature-by-feature basis. With the add-in enabled, users can right-click on a feature in the graphics area (e.g. a fillet face, or fastener hole) and ‘Edit Feature' which will trigger background recognition of that specific geometry. This makes opening legacy data and making a few tweaks a painless process.
4. Get comfortable with Surfaces
All solids are really just surfaces in disguise. More precisely, solids are water-tight sets of surfaces that are ‘filled' up with volume. At the surface level, you can manipulate data even without having a part history. An example is the Delete Face command. Try the option ‘delete and patch' next time there's some feature (fillet, small hole) that you need to remove, or erase and re-create. Also tools such as Move Face and Replace Face come in handy to resize or manipulate imported geometry. As a final note: When you are stuck with a poor-quality imported surface and start to question how it can be turned into a solid, surfaces are the answer.
My hope is that these few tips help you transitioning legacy data from another CAD tool to SolidWorks easier and/or improve working with others who do not have the benefit of modeling in SolidWorks. If you continue to have issues, don't hesitate contacting your SolidWorks VAR Service Center. That's one of the many great reasons you pay for your Subscription renewal.
It's that time of year again when we at Alignex start to get excited: SolidWorks 2010 Beta is just around the corner. Every year we look forward to the hundreds of new pieces of functionality that SolidWorks has developed from customer suggestions as well as from their Reseller community. We have built a page on our website at Alignex with a preview of what should be included in
SolidWorks 2010. Much of this information came from SolidWorks World in February, but some of it has been updated since then. Keep that page bookmarked as we'll keep updating it as often as we are able to.
Prior to the official release of SolidWorks 2010 later this fall, SolidWorks offers a beta program which is open to all current subscription customers. This program typically lasts several weeks, and allows users a sneak peak at the latest version and the ability to weigh in on how well the enhanced features work.
Besides getting to see all the new functionality before anyone else, there are other great benefits to participation. SolidWorks allows Beta Testers to submit bug reports directly to them, and for a reward they offer a points program. Top point-earners are rewarded with prizes and recognition in the SolidWorks community. These prizes are not just SolidWorks mugs and posters, but typically high-end electronics and other similar toys.
One warning I always throw out about Beta is that it should not be mixed with a production environment. Just like all new releases, once files are saved in SolidWorks 2010, they can no longer be re-opened by an older version of the program. Always keep the Beta installed separately and work on copies of Parts and Assembly files. Beta releases contain software issues, which is why SolidWorks entices users to get involved and report them. If a user finds a bug or possible issue, he or she uses the SolidWorks RX tool to capture and describe the circumstances and issue and then post it to the Beta program via the customer portal. The more severe the issue, the more points the user gets! Everything is relevant, from a button that doesn't look right to a command that crashes on every click.
When I get the beta, the first thing I look at is the ‘What's New' PDF document. This is under the Help menu inside SolidWorks. Find the new things you want to try. Go through your largest assemblies and most complex parts and gauge performance changes. Ultimately, try anything that was causing pain in previous release versions.
We've heard beta will be out in the next week or two, but right now SolidWorks is allowing customers to register. Once the beta download is available, everyone who has signed up will receive email notification with download instructions. To get involved simply sign up through the Customer Portal. Click here for more information on the Beta Testing Program. And again, learn more about SolidWorks 2010 on the Alignex website, here.
Here's to successful SolidWorks 2010 testing!