Step file conversion / rebuild

[Mindnumb]

I have problem generating solidworks parts/ assy from a step file I have recieved from a client. SW crashes during the process with the error : could not obtain suficcient memory.

I have a Dell box with 2 gigs ram, and a 4 gig pagefile.

Task manager reports somewere in between 800 and 1000 mb memory in use when crash occurs.

The step file is approximately 64 mb.

Any suggestions?

Best regards, Bernt Ødegård.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Is that "800 and 1000 mb" total memory in use, or just by the "SLDWRKS.exe" process?

Do you have the /3GB switch enabled?


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[Mindnumb]

Its the total memory used, and I have not enabled the 3 gig switch, will it help? I have just 2 gigs physical ram, but will the switch help use the pagefile better? do you have a link to or how to do the switch ?

Thanks a lot !

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

It's hard to say whether it will actually help in your situation... but it should not hinder. The best way is to try it. If there is no improvement you can always delete it.

NOTE: DO NOT USE THE SWITCH ON XP-SP1

http://www.panoramafactory.com/discus/messages/17/313.html?1057432320

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[SBaugh]

What type of video card are you using? It might be running out of video memory and there is no way to test that. Try the file on another station and see if it opens up there. if so then you are having an issue with your system otherwise it could be the file.

Make sure your Virtual memory has the min and max set to the same number so the page file does not grow. set it to 3 times your RAM.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[alexit]

I had this problem with a STEP before, some corruption or such (it was zipped then burnt to CD.) Unfortunately the trick I found was to take the file into Rhino and export as a Solidworks file from there...

 

[dezignstuff]

Decrease your page file to 1 Gb. I have seen XP crash when it had more memory than it can manage. There is no need for a page file that large.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

dezignstuff ... say what????
You are the only person I know who has had that experience & who recommends a small VM setting.

I've just spent the last 1-1/2 hours surfing the 'net to find something which backs up your findings ... without success, but I did find oodles of sites, blogs, documents, etc with positive comments.

Everyone who I've recommended using the /3GB switch has reported back that it helped. Even Wayne Tiffany recommends it & has numbers to confirm its effectiveness.

http://www.newsfeeds.com/archive/comp-cad-solidworks/msg10073.html

Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[AnnaWood]

I run my computer with no page file. My older Dell Precision 380 had 2 gigs of RAM. My new machine has 4 gigs.

It is very rare for my system to crash.

FWIW,

Anna Wood
SW06 SP4.1, WinXP Pro SP2
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450
Auer Precision Company, Inc.

 

[Mindnumb]

Hoorrayy !!

Took the file home, tried it on my home computer ( homebuildt with 1 gig ram, 1.8 ghz athlon xp and ati radeon card running as firegl ) it worked there. I am running with the same pagefile size as I do at work ( 4096)

Might be the video card, but its hard to tell. I tried the file on two machines here at work, both for the most part similarly spec dell boxes with nvidia quadro fx1000 and fx1100 cards.

Thanks for all input and help !

 

[SBaugh]

If the video card is certified, you need to check the driver to be sure it's one that is certified by SW.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[Mindnumb]

jupp. Should be certified drivers. Im kind of leaning towards some kind of memory handling stuff, but its hard to tell. I hope my IT departement lets me build my next comp myself. Much more fun.