problem importing DXFs: 3D faces are not imported

[pagheca]

Hi,

I have to import in Solidworks some DXF files I generated with another program (GRASP, a software for antenna design). The drawings represents some mirror dishes.

When I try to File->Open->DXF I get the following message:

__________
'<file name>' is possibly an AutoSolid model.

It contains 3D faces which may not import properly. Import this file without the 3D faces?
__________

If I answer No, the import windows quit. If I answer Yes, the process goes ahead. At this point I select:

- Import to Part
- All selected layers
- Import this sheet as 3D curves
(I don't think the other parameters are relevant).

I can clearly see the facets in the model. But when I press on "Finish", what I get is just a blue polygonal line representing the perimeter of the mirrors, but not the rest of the lines or the points (the perimeter is represented as a series of "ImportedCurves").

Do you know any way to prevent this problem? I know this is possibly a problem with the software generating the dxf, but I can't find out any solution on that side.

Say happens with
Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

p

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Can you post the file for others to download & experiment with? faq559-1177


Helpful SW websites faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[pagheca]

Thanks for the reply.

Do there is a way to attach a file to a post, or do you mean to provide it through a web page or sftp? The latter solution would prove a bit difficult for security reasons at our Department.

Cheers,
p

 

[rfus]

Sounds like you are trying to import a faceted polygon model: Your mirror dishes are a bunch of triangles.

Find a way to convert your triangles to .stl, then import. Search for AccuTrans 3d, which is a great translator for polygon file formats. Although, If your triangle count is high, you will have problems importing into Solidworks, each triangle becomes its own face and this will get heavy on the package. Try bringing in via stl as surface or solid and if it takes a long time to bring in try importing as a graphic body in the options for stl.

Solidworks is primarily for parametric CAD design so ask yourself, what do I really want to do with model once I get it in. Triangles are good for reference geometry, but maybe you'd want to bring in just the verticies with a point import macro and use them to surface this thing. Points will not nearly be as heavy on the package as tons of triangles.

Otherwise, if its a dxf of not consisting of trinagles find a way to save it as an ACIS.

RFUS

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

pagheca ... Check the faq559-1177 I gave you in my first post.


Helpful SW websites faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[pagheca]

Hi again,

Accutrans 3d: apparently this doesn't work. I converted to stl but when I imported the stl in SW the sketch is empty and I got an error (at least one coordinate is negative and I can't figure out how to remove negative coordinates when generating the file).

I downloaded the file to:

http://multiterra.mooload.com/file.php?file=files/1134412693/plot.dxf

as suggested.

Thanks again for all these efforts.
Cheers,
p

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Opening into DWGeditor brings in the "cobweb" lines. You may be able to save as a useable format from there.


Helpful SW websites faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[Russell67]

I presume what you are after is what you see when you open your dxf in dwg editor then go to view > look from > front?
Are you are after the basic parabolic shape. If so you can create a point table and create the shape from that using autocad or dwg editor then import that curve and revolve it. Not sure of the best way to create apoint table been many years since had to do it. Hopefully this was of some help.

 

[GBor]

pagheca,

The .stl error is in the file generation, not the import to SW. In order to export in .stl format, you have to move your solid body into the positive octent (all parts of your solid model must be bounded by the positive x, y, and z-axes)