Free? License needed?
It may or may not work for you.
So far most has it disabled.
I enabled it, but when I try to use it, I get an error that no license exists for it. And I'm running SW Professional 2019. So what is SW position on this if it works for some, and not others?
What service pack (SP)?
Also 3.0
...and have you contacted your VAR?
If you have not contacted your VAR regarding this, do so.
I have contacted. Waiting on reply.
It doesn't replace import.
Most still need to import the model.
Some file works better with Interconnect, some doesn't.
Depends on what you need to do.
*CATIA V5-SOLIDWORKS Translator is only available with a SOLIDWORKS Premium license.
Of course it's a Catia file I am trying to open. Usually when it's a file we need to convert, it's Catia.
Inventor convert Catia file better.
Even SW and Catia is in same company.
That's what my boss and I were just laughing about. It's all a money grab.
Even before Solidworks came out with 3D Interconnect, a special (additional cost) license was required to open/import native Catia files.
What is the file type that you are trying to open?
I've found the 3D interconnect to be useless. It shows up as an imported body but there is no way to add anything additional to it in Solidworks if you should need to. You do need an extra license for the Catia import as well. Why that's not included in the premium license is just a way for them to get more money out of you.
John Lhuillier wrote:
I've found the 3D interconnect to be useless. It shows up as an imported body but there is no way to add anything additional to it in Solidworks if you should need to. You do need an extra license for the Catia import as well. Why that's not included in the premium license is just a way for them to get more money out of you.
I have no problems adding features to part models imported using 3D Interconnect.
Hello, All
If you have a VAR, you might want to talk to them when you have these questions. They will know the answers faster than you can speculate. Here is some info about 3d interconnect from a VAR.
1) 3d Interconnect is a new translator in 2017. It uses a different program than the standard File>Open which is an older translator. 3d Interconnect allows a link to be kept between the 3d CAD native file (step, prt, etc) and the import created in SW. That way if you have a modified native model, you only have to update it and not reimport and remodify. The 3d Interconnect does allow you to make changes. Be cautious of what you are cutting or adding material. A Cut-Extrude won't cut a surface, for example. If you have a surface, you need to use surfacing tools. At the VAR Workshop last June, it was recommended to use the 3d Interconnect and the Dissolve option if you want to modify the part. It was explained that the newer translator is better at converting the Data. Opening files using the 3d Interconnect or not may have different results. We often use different options to troubleshoot file import issues.
2) Catia used to have a Translator that was a separately purchased item. When 3d Interconnect was released, it opened the Catia files so an additional license was not required anymore. The solution was to put the Catia translator as part of the premium license. At this time, if you have SW Premium license, you can open Catia files.
3) A file that is being converted by either approach brings in Imported Models. This is understandable if you are a software company. Think of it this way. If you create a file and send it to someone as a non-native file, if they open it and get a feature tree, they could take all your information. With the Imported file, there is some level of protection of your data being stolen. You may be able to use Feature Recognition to build a tree. There are automatic and interactive modes where you can let SW figure it out or go through the steps yourself.
Sincerely, Darcie
When 3d Interconnect was released, it opened the Catia files so an additional license was not required anymore. The solution was to put the Catia translator as part of the premium license. At this time, if you have SW Premium license, you can open Catia files.
That is not a solution from a customer perspective!
I always use 3D Interconnect to import files so I can see the model in it's native form before I do anything. If I have to make any modifications to it, I will dissolve the feature and it converts to a standard SolidWorks imported file with solid bodies, surfaces, sketches etc. You can't do import diagnostics on a 3D Interconnect model, you have to first dissolve the feature and then you can do the import diagnostics and repair the model as needed. I find that the 3D Interconnect is more reliable and faster than the standard import function and I don't have to worry about the software flipping surfaces and creating errors and such. It may do that when the feature is dissolved but at least I know what it was supposed to look like. It's a great tool.
It is part of Solidworks. If you have a Solidworks license and have installed Solidworks, you have 3D Interconnect.