I am trying to get a file that is either a solidworks file or an IGES file into Maya. Is there anything special that I have to do in order to correctly interpret the information between the two applications? I was able to import the iges file but I have a ton of holes, and each of what looks like solid pieces of the assembly are broken into a thousand different and uneccessary surfaces. Is there a way to import without extra work? Or is it easier to import into AutoCAD or Inventor then into Maya?
Thanks
-TV
If you have inventor or AutoCAD, then go that route. Inventor can open a Solidworks assembly file-although it usually supports upto one release back from the current one) and it has hooks directly into Maya. You might also wan tto look at Inventor Fusion. I think, it can attach a Solidworks file and port it to Maya.
If you have AutoCAD, you can export your Solidworks assembly to ACIS format, use the acisin command to bring the 3D geometry in. (I think you want to select ACIS 7 or earlier) and then import the AutoCAD drawing into Maya.
If you don't have Inventor or AutoCAD, you can try using Draftsight to create a dwg you can import into Maya. It's free. http://www.draftsight.com
Good luck.
John