3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
(OP)
Hi
I've been using Abaqus for a while now, but have never had cause to import geometry from another program. I have a 3D sketch of an automotive spaceframe chassis within solid works, and I wish to import it into Abaqus in order to analyse it using beam elements.
I have tried to import it as a .sat file as recommended here and in the simulia documentation, but however I change the options in SW and abaqus, it just gives an error message "Cannot read file" etc. I made sure it was exporting as 3D curves and included sketch elements.
Is it the case that .sat files just can't accept 3D sketches?
So I decided to try exporting as a STEP file. Abaqus pulled the geometry in as 3D wires which was great, but the entire chassis apeared to have exploded as the various elements were scattered all over the workspace :( I have fiddled around with all the various import/export options but just get the same result.
Can anyone suggest why this is happening before I loose the rest of my hair :P
Thanks
I've been using Abaqus for a while now, but have never had cause to import geometry from another program. I have a 3D sketch of an automotive spaceframe chassis within solid works, and I wish to import it into Abaqus in order to analyse it using beam elements.
I have tried to import it as a .sat file as recommended here and in the simulia documentation, but however I change the options in SW and abaqus, it just gives an error message "Cannot read file" etc. I made sure it was exporting as 3D curves and included sketch elements.
Is it the case that .sat files just can't accept 3D sketches?
So I decided to try exporting as a STEP file. Abaqus pulled the geometry in as 3D wires which was great, but the entire chassis apeared to have exploded as the various elements were scattered all over the workspace :( I have fiddled around with all the various import/export options but just get the same result.
Can anyone suggest why this is happening before I loose the rest of my hair :P
Thanks





RE: 3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
Rob Stupplebeen
RE: 3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
Each line from the SW model has come in as a separate part within CAE, so I have pulled them into an assembly to view them together, but they are spaced apart and do not join together at all. Is this what you were getting at or should I be exporting as assembly in SW?
I'm on SW2009SP3 & CAE6.7-2
RE: 3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
Just got home after hours of bashing my head on the monitor and thought I'd try pulling it in on my student edition.
It worked, and very well at that. Isn't it always the way
STEP is definitely the way to go though if anyone's trying to achieve the same results. Came in beautifully.
RE: 3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
Rob Stupplebeen
RE: 3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
There is a part filter which allows specific features from the original model to be pulled in, but nothing that specifies that they should come in as one part.
Are you pulling them in using: File > Import > Part?. As there is an assembly option blanked out in my student edition which I believe was available in the full package.
RE: 3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
If that option is not available in your version you can combine them after it is an assembly into 1 part with this sequence:
Add instances>Instance>Merge/Cut Instance> Merge>Geometry
I hope this helps.
Rob Stupplebeen
RE: 3D Sketch Import Problems: SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE
Thanks again