Anyone know about importing .ckd files?

[hititfaster]

I was sent one from a client: 35mb in size! Tried opening in SW but it unpacked into about 3500 separate files... I opened a couple of the unpacked files and they seemed to be individual surfaces with no obvious assembly or usable part. I tried opening in Inventor thinking if it worked better I might be able to export as STEP but Inventor wouldn't even start opening it. I also downloaded the free viewer from the Kubotek website and the model opens and actually looks quite good.

Any ideas for getting it into SW?

 

[hititfaster]

Hmm... Noticed a bit of dodgey geometry in one area of the model: LOADS of surfaces where I think there should be a knurled pattern, which I don't think is helping things. Still open to suggestions, however.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Per the Help files

http://help.solidworks.com/2013/English/solidworks/sldworks/c_import_export_file_information.htm

The CADKEY translator supports import of surface or solid entities from CADKEY version 19 part or assembly files (*.prt) and version 21 multibody part files (*.ckd), including all later versions.

So it sounds like your client has sent you a surfaces only model. Ask them to send the full solid model or an alternative format (parasolid, step, iges).

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

From

http://www.kubotekusa.com/products/cadkey.html

If you would like to view and edit a CADKEY file – you may obtain a free trial of KeyCreator software by clicking here.

If you would like to convert your CADKEY file into a standard format such as IGES, STEP, DXF or DWG, KeyCreator Direct CAD can also perform this function for you.

 

[hititfaster]

Ahhhhh! I have to admit I didn't go back and look for a free trial version after I downloaded viewer. Schoolboy error... Thanks for the pointer; I'll grab it now.