AnsweredAssumed Answered

Importing AutoCad into SolidWorks. Anyone know?

Question asked by Sharon Anderson on Aug 1, 2011
Latest reply on Aug 19, 2011 by James Imes

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 7

I have recently started a new job where my boss uses autocad and I use solidworks. Last week he created a model and sent me an iges to import into solidworks which I did. It now needs to be modified but I can't seem to do it. First of all it saved it as an assembly so I turned around and saved it as a part but it still won't let me modify it.

This model looks like a channel, 3 inches high, 3 inches wide and 12 inches long. I need to reduce it to 2-1/2 high and wide with a small flange at both ends for screws. I was going to cut a 1/4 inch off thru the top on both sides of the flange. I did make the cuts but now can't get them back together. At this point I don't have a clue as to what to do. I don't even know if I'm bringing the model in right.

Anyone know anything about doing this? I can really use your knowledge.

Thanks, Sharon

sanderson@i2systems.com

No one else has this question

Outcomes

Patrick O'Hern Aug 1, 2011 8:53 AM

Iges files will only import into Solidworks as a simple block with no features. Depending on your version of Solidworks, you may have an add-in called Featureworks that will look at an imported model and rebuild it with features. It can be helpful on some imported items. For something simple (which your model sounds fairly simple), I would suggest just rebuilding the model yourself, as it would take longer to "fix" the current one than to build a new one.

Actions

Sharon Anderson @ Patrick O'Hern on Aug 1, 2011 11:55 AM

Patrick, thanks for the imput. I did try the Featureworks and that did change it into a solidworks model but unfortunately I don't know how to manipulate auto-cad and could not modify the feature. Sigh . . . . .

Anyone else up for it?

Actions

Kelvin Lamport @ Sharon Anderson on Aug 1, 2011 12:16 PM

If you now have a SW format model, why do you need to manipualte AutoCAD to modify anything?

Actions

Scott McFadden @ Sharon Anderson on Aug 1, 2011 12:30 PM

Hi Sharon,

Can you post your model or this dxf drawing?

One thought that comes to mind is if your boss is creating these in ACAD

use the insert>dwg/dxf option in part mode. Then it is inserted onto a plane.

Then yuse the contour select tool to create 3D geometry. Just make sure that

the sketch is a closed one or the contour select wont work.

Then you will be able to adjust the contour as needed.

Hope this helps you.

Actions

Walter Fetsch @ Patrick O'Hern on Aug 1, 2011 12:30 PM

Patrick is correct. Remodeling is almost always the best way to go. All of our legacy data is either in Mechanical Desktop or Autocad and I find that it either takes longer to import than to remodel or it produces unsatisfatory results when I import.

Actions

Kelvin Lamport Aug 1, 2011 11:55 AM

You should request a dimensioned print (or at least a sketch or screenshot) if this will be happening often. If only to ensure the correct scale has survived the import process.

For simple changes the Move face tool can be used to manipulate dumb solids.

Actions

James Imes Aug 19, 2011 10:27 AM

It depends on what kind of model, basic solid or smart feature based model. If a feature based model is output from DeskTop as STEP, you can open in SolidWorks but loose features & get an import1 file & then would have to use feature recognition. Same for other "exports" or save-as from AutoDesk products. If a "solid" is created with AutoCad you'll have very limited success in getting a smart feature based model from import / open routine only.

If you have the AutoDesk / DeskTop / AutoCad installed on the same box as SolidWorks, You can open in SolidWorks, set file type to DWG & SolidWorks will use the geometry engine in AutoDesk install to convert & rebuild the model, feature x feature & will bring it in as a smart, feature based model.

In some instances, scaling will be an issue as units will some times go metric, you can set SolidWorks to compensate (somes times) & other times return to DeskTop & scale up x 25.4. Then save it & retry the open with SolidWorks.

Some features may not come in correctly but on a complex part with a lot of geometry & features I have found it to save some time over complete re-model in SolidWorks.

Actions

7 Replies

Patrick O'Hern Aug 1, 2011 8:53 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Iges files will only import into Solidworks as a simple block with no features. Depending on your version of Solidworks, you may have an add-in called Featureworks that will look at an imported model and rebuild it with features. It can be helpful on some imported items. For something simple (which your model sounds fairly simple), I would suggest just rebuilding the model yourself, as it would take longer to "fix" the current one than to build a new one.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- Sharon Anderson @ Patrick O'Hern on Aug 1, 2011 11:55 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Patrick, thanks for the imput. I did try the Featureworks and that did change it into a solidworks model but unfortunately I don't know how to manipulate auto-cad and could not modify the feature. Sigh . . . . .
  
  Anyone else up for it?
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - Kelvin Lamport @ Sharon Anderson on Aug 1, 2011 12:16 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    If you now have a SW format model, why do you need to manipualte AutoCAD to modify anything?
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
  - Scott McFadden @ Sharon Anderson on Aug 1, 2011 12:30 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Hi Sharon,
    Can you post your model or this dxf drawing?
    
    One thought that comes to mind is if your boss is creating these in ACAD
    use the insert>dwg/dxf option in part mode. Then it is inserted onto a plane.
    Then yuse the contour select tool to create 3D geometry. Just make sure that
    the sketch is a closed one or the contour select wont work.
    Then you will be able to adjust the contour as needed.
    Hope this helps you.
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
- Walter Fetsch @ Patrick O'Hern on Aug 1, 2011 12:30 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Patrick is correct. Remodeling is almost always the best way to go. All of our legacy data is either in Mechanical Desktop or Autocad and I find that it either takes longer to import than to remodel or it produces unsatisfatory results when I import.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Kelvin Lamport Aug 1, 2011 11:55 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
You should request a dimensioned print (or at least a sketch or screenshot) if this will be happening often. If only to ensure the correct scale has survived the import process.

For simple changes the Move face tool can be used to manipulate dumb solids.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
James Imes Aug 19, 2011 10:27 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
It depends on what kind of model, basic solid or smart feature based model. If a feature based model is output from DeskTop as STEP, you can open in SolidWorks but loose features & get an import1 file & then would have to use feature recognition. Same for other "exports" or save-as from AutoDesk products. If a "solid" is created with AutoCad you'll have very limited success in getting a smart feature based model from import / open routine only.

If you have the AutoDesk / DeskTop / AutoCad installed on the same box as SolidWorks, You can open in SolidWorks, set file type to DWG & SolidWorks will use the geometry engine in AutoDesk install to convert & rebuild the model, feature x feature & will bring it in as a smart, feature based model.

In some instances, scaling will be an issue as units will some times go metric, you can set SolidWorks to compensate (somes times) & other times return to DeskTop & scale up x 25.4. Then save it & retry the open with SolidWorks.

Some features may not come in correctly but on a complex part with a lot of geometry & features I have found it to save some time over complete re-model in SolidWorks.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions

Importing AutoCad into SolidWorks. Anyone know?

Outcomes

Related Content

Recommended Content