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any thoughts

any thoughts

any thoughts

(OP)
i have files that i get from vendors and when i load them in solid works, i get these huge files that all it has is surfaces.  once i load them into my assy model then the drawing is to big to do anything with, slows performance way down,  any thoughts

RE: any thoughts

What file format are you getting from your vendors?  I would try to save them out as STEP or IGES files before you put them into your assy if you do not need any information about the part other than the shape.  Should speed things up a bit.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com

RE: any thoughts

Yes, convert the surface model to a solid model after importing them and before inserting them into an assy.

What file formats are you importing? If possible, when downloading files from vendors, opt for Parasolid or STEP formats.

cheers

RE: any thoughts

Also please provide your computer (memory, graphics card, processor, OS, etc) specs and what version of SW you are using.  You may have brought a butter knife to a gun fight.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: any thoughts

I'd consider the same, but with parasolid format instead.  Doing so should speed things up.  When you reopen the exported files in SolidWorks, you can delete unnecessary solid or surface bodies to reduce the part complexity (or do this before exporting to IGES, STEP, or parasolid).

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
What did you dream?  It's all right--we told you what to dream.
    --Pink Floyd, Welcome to the Machine

RE: any thoughts

(OP)
not sure what it was another one of the guys uploaded it and now its 43mb and all it has is surfaces. he said thats all the vendor was allowed to send us

RE: any thoughts

No matter what was sent, you need to convert the surfaces to a solid model.

cheers

RE: any thoughts

(OP)
the company i work for just started solid works about 4 months ago so we are all wet behind the ears. i have no idea how to do any of that.

RE: any thoughts

Do you have FeatureWorks? It's standard in Office Pro & Premium. Look in Tools->addins.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Certified DriveWorks AE
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

RE: any thoughts

You can use diagnostics to get imported surfaces to knit into solid.  Right-click an imported surface in the feature tree and select "Import Diagnostics...".

Sometimes it's sometimes actually better to import as un-knitted surfaces and then let SW diagnostics make the solid.  If you have an imported body that just doesn't knit or trim correctly right off, sometimes this helps.  Check the options that are available when you open a non-SW file.

batHonesty may be the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.bat
http://www.EsoxRepublic.com-SolidWorks API VB programming help

RE: any thoughts

Quote:

the company i work for just started solid works about 4 months ago so we are all wet behind the ears. i have no idea how to do any of that.

Have you received any training?  Also, depending on your relationship with the VAR this could be something to ask them for assistance.  Then document this procedure for future usage by others.  Welcome aboard 2thumbsup

Heckler   americanflag
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.

RE: any thoughts

(OP)
Yes we have had the solidworks essentials class and we are soon to have another class.  I have no trouble modeling its just some of the other stuff that comes with solid that gives me a hard time.  Stuff they dont ever teach you. Is there anyone here that can look at it and see what they can do with it?

Intel Xeon CPU 3.20 GHz
3.19 GHz, 2.00 GB of RAM
ATI FireGL V7200
SolidWorks 2007
AutoCad 2008
Windows XP

RE: any thoughts

I would contact my VAR and review with them the entire process (who you get files from, what type of files, what needs to be accomplished with this data) and see what can be done to improve this. Most VARs have quite a bit of experience in this area.

RE: any thoughts

(OP)
DONT MEAN TO SOUND IGNORATE BUT WHAT ARE VARS?

Intel Xeon CPU 3.20 GHz
3.19 GHz, 2.00 GB of RAM
ATI FireGL V7200
SolidWorks 2007
AutoCad 2008
Windows XP

RE: any thoughts

A VAR is you local Value-Added Reseller...presumably the folks that you bought SW from.  Give them a call (assuming you're on a maintenance package), and they will be glad to help you out.  Meanwhile, if you could post your model here we can offer some more educated advice.  Before you ask check http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1177.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com

RE: any thoughts

(OP)
Oh yes I have asked them and they can't help me either.  It wont let me up load it for some reason.  The file is 43mb, does that matter?

Intel Xeon CPU 3.20 GHz
3.19 GHz, 2.00 GB of RAM
ATI FireGL V7200
SolidWorks 2007
AutoCad 2008
Windows XP

RE: any thoughts

Import Diagnostics!

RE: any thoughts

Quote:

Oh yes I have asked them and they can't help me either.
  I would start looking for a new VAR and move your maintaince contract elsewhere.  Our VAR will go out of there way to help us when problem arise.

Heckler   americanflag
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.

RE: any thoughts

They should have and FTP site to upload files to, or contact your IT and have them set one up and upload the file there.

Surfacing is complex feature of SW, and newbies should not be trying to learn surfacing if they don't understand the software. But I understand sometimes the company requires it.

First you have to understand what surfaces are and how to make a solid.

I always use a very basic idea is a 6-sided box. If you extrude a box and delete just the surface (see surface toolbar for that selection, or RMB menu). After you remove a surface you get a 5- sided box of just surfaces. That is not a water tight model and cannot be made into a solid. You will have to make a surface where you removed the surface at. Once you have figured out how to add the surface, then Knit the surfaces together and try to form a solid.

Another exercise I like for users to try is to make a 6-sided box with just surfaces.

Remember surfaces need sketches to be made, but sometimes it can use the edges of other surfaces.

If you need to trim surfaces then you have to use another surface. Its not like a solid where you can cut a body with a feature. You have think about each of your moves to complete the model.

Doing basic techniques and reading through the help of each feature is the only thing that is going to help you. Your VAR will not make the model for you. You will have to learn this process.

Regards,


Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP pc2
www.scottjbaugh.com

Quote:

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