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Imported file does not give features, asks to open IGES file

Question asked by David Bernick on Apr 23, 2013
Latest reply on Apr 25, 2013 by Alin Vargatu

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Im not as experienced as most, so please fully explain.

I had an assembly sent to me as a STEP file. Upon opening there is an error with a part feature (Spill Tray for reference). I save the assembly as SolidWorks Assembly Document (.SLDASM) and all parts associated with. I open the problem part (Spill Tray) seperatly to diagnose. The feature tree only gives one feature, labled "Imported1". When I right click to "Edit Feature", a window pops up prompting me to open a file asking for IGES (*.igs;*iges) file type. Why will the part not display the features associated with its building? Why does it ask for the IGES file type? How do I edit the part to fix the errors?

The errors associated are with the "face-face inconsistent" (using Check under the Evaluate tab) and "the indicated face pierces through the solid" (using the Import diagnostics under Evaluate tab). I think I can solve the errors if I can edit the features.

JOHN GEORGE Apr 23, 2013 1:39 PM

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David,

Most of the cross ribs are overlapped and some of them have multiple surfaces.

Automatic fixing is not going to work, because the overlapped surfaces are part of the original surface.

Please see tha attached file with geometry fixed.

This is from SW 2012 and if you are using a lower version, I can post parasolid.

Hope this works

JOHN

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Spill Tray.SLDPRT.zip324.5 KB

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Alin Vargatu Apr 23, 2013 11:16 AM
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Right Click on the feature and use Import Diagnostics.to troubleshoot the errors. Those are geometry errors not feature errors.
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- David Bernick @ Alin Vargatu on Apr 23, 2013 11:38 AM
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  I understand how to troubleshoot and find the errors. I understand the geometry errors. What I dont understand is how to fix them when there isnt a list of features to change.
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  - Alin Vargatu @ David Bernick on Apr 23, 2013 11:45 AM
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    David, use the import diagnostic tool for fixing the errors. They are errors of the body (solid or surface) or of the faces. Nothing to do with features.
    
    Can you post one of your parts that has errors?
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    - David Bernick @ Alin Vargatu on Apr 23, 2013 12:08 PM
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      Import diagnostics can find the problem, but It can heal or fix the faces. All i can do is remove the faces, and have a gutted part. How can i edit the whats already there to fix the errors?
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      - Alin Vargatu @ David Bernick on Apr 23, 2013 12:26 PM
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        Those faces have to go if they cannot be healed and you will do manual repairs using surfacing tools.
        
        If you would post an example that has an import problem, we can show you how it is solved.
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        David Bernick @ Alin Vargatu on Apr 23, 2013 1:12 PM
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        Ok i understand that manual repairs must be made. What do you mean "post an example"? do you want the file or a picture of what i am looking at. If you want the file it is an attachment in the original question. Can you show a solution from that?
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        Kelvin Lamport @ David Bernick on Apr 23, 2013 1:54 PM
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        The main problem was with the fillet inside the longest edge (highlighted in the image)
        Once they were Deleted & Patched, I round tripped through Parasolid, and the rest of the problems disappeared.
        
        Also note I cut the part in half, so that only half the problems had to be fixed. That half could be mirrored, and the centre web re-created, to complete the part.
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        Alin Vargatu @ Kelvin Lamport on Apr 23, 2013 1:59 PM
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        Kelvin you can fix everything from the Import Diagnostics interface:
        
        1. Delete all the fillets (faces) that are going through the planar faces.
        2. Heal all the gaps.
        
        Done.
        
        I have a feeling that this is what John did.
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Kelvin Lamport Apr 23, 2013 12:34 PM
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Why will the part not display the features associated with its building?
If you open the other parts that were imported via the STEP file, you will see that none of them have a feature history. None of the 'dumb' solid formats (Parasolid, STP, IGS, etc) can carry the feature history.
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JOHN GEORGE Apr 23, 2013 1:39 PM
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David,

Most of the cross ribs are overlapped and some of them have multiple surfaces.
Automatic fixing is not going to work, because the overlapped surfaces are part of the original surface.

Please see tha attached file with geometry fixed.
This is from SW 2012 and if you are using a lower version, I can post parasolid.

Hope this works
JOHN
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- Spill Tray_JG.SLDPRT.zip445.2 KB
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- David Bernick @ JOHN GEORGE on Apr 23, 2013 1:44 PM
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  Wow thanks for fixing the part. Would you care to enlighten me on how you did it?
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  - JOHN GEORGE @ David Bernick on Apr 23, 2013 1:59 PM
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    It was not that simple.
    Trim all the overlapped surfaces, extend some of the rib surfaces, cleand up a bit and stitch together to make solid.
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    - Alin Vargatu @ JOHN GEORGE on Apr 23, 2013 2:10 PM
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      John, you can do all that from the import diagnostic interface. I'll come back with a video in 10 minutes.
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      - Jerry Steiger @ Alin Vargatu on Apr 23, 2013 2:42 PM
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        Alin,
        
        You're late. I'm afraid we are going to have to dock your pay!
        
        Jerry S.
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        Alin Vargatu @ Jerry Steiger on Apr 23, 2013 2:47 PM
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        Sorry man, I had to put out some other fires first. The video is done and is now uploading to YouTube. 5 more minutes.
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Alin Vargatu Apr 23, 2013 3:06 PM
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Watch this video for a demonstration of using the Import Diagnostics Tool:

If you use Internet Explorer, click on "Show All Content" if you get prompted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAjo5NTWJ40&feature=player_detailpage
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- Jerry Steiger @ Alin Vargatu on Apr 25, 2013 3:49 PM
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  Alin,
  
  That was such a fine tip, we are going to give you back your docked pay. Worth every penny!
  
  Jerry S.
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  - Alin Vargatu @ Jerry Steiger on Apr 25, 2013 4:34 PM
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    Jerry Steiger wrote:
    
    Alin,
    
    That was such a fine tip, we are going to give you back your docked pay. Worth every penny!
    
    Jerry S.
    
    Thanks Jerry. Can I get a bonus?
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Alin Vargatu Apr 23, 2013 2:55 PM
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David, can I please use your file in a tech tip?
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- David Bernick @ Alin Vargatu on Apr 23, 2013 3:26 PM
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  Go ahead and use it
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  - Alin Vargatu @ David Bernick on Apr 23, 2013 8:43 PM
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    Thank you, David
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John Burrill Apr 23, 2013 2:56 PM
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David, to answer your question, the reason you get the prompt for the iges file when you edit the definition of the imported feature is that imported features are place-holders for imported geometry. when you edit the definition, it's telling you that you can replace the imported feature with the geometry from a different file. It displays iges format as the default, but you can change that to any of the other supported nuetral formats: ACIS, STEP, PARASOLID.
Where you usually go from importing a solid is to the Import diagnostics dialog to check for bad surfaces and edge gaps. If the errors are simple, you can correct them from the import diagnostics.
In your case, it sounds like you had a lot of geometry errors in your source step file. I would talk to the person who gave you the file and ask for to use a different combination of settings when exporting the step file.
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Alin Vargatu Apr 23, 2013 3:19 PM
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For those of you without access to YouTube, the file is attached to this post.
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- For David - Import Diagnostics in SolidWorks.wmv16.8 MB
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Imported file does not give features, asks to open IGES file

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