catia V4 to UG NX 3

[par1]

my company need to convert Catia v4 model to UG NX2 & the model should satisfy the GM requirement.
1.Which one would be the good translator?
2.I don't have translator yet in our facility so if anone knows how much it costs to buy & also the name of source to buy it.
3.what should I need to do to satisfy the GM requirement?
4.what will happen if i open the v4 model to UG NX? - like is there many surfaces, spikes? (I mean to say its easy to do for any one who knows solid modeling or need some special training?)

Thanking you in advance,
Bye

 

[rossly]

You will need a seat of UG so you can open the the translated file and organize the data to the GM standards. You can get the GM Toolkit for free that itegrates with UG and make the process possible.

As for a translator, parasolid is best, next is step, and last is iges. GM does require the data to be solid so coming out of v4 may be an issue if the data is not a solid. Also there are some geometery checkers that need to be passed also, small surfaces, self intersections, etc.

Overall, it is not too bad of a process. I can be an sometimes difficult.




Ross Parpart
Product Design Engineer

http://www.decoma.com

 

[cicciazzo]

What rossly wrote is correct.
If you need a translator software depends a lot on the complexity of your models.
We have one in our company, called PROFICIENCY (

http://www.proficiency.com),

but I know it's expensive and, most of all, we work with many client and suppliers using different CADs.

 

[Xwheelguy]

If you are going to be doing lots of business with GM, then it will be worth the time & money to invest in the software GM requires its suppliers to use. However, if you're only going to be doing a small amount of work for GM, I would recommend outsourcing the work. Especially if you have a clean solid model of the part in CATIA v4 and even more so in regards to sending the finished UG model into GM via Teamcenter Engineering/ANX.

I'm not sure how "FREE" the toolkit is, seeing as how you have to purchase a license from UGS to even run the toolkit.

Should it be required that you are fully compliant with GM's standards, go to

http://www.gmsupplypower.com

& register there to get all the information you need. You can also call 1-888-238-1119 & maybe someone there can get you headed in the right direction. As a last avenue, I would speak with the GM engineer that is heading your program.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

 

[par1]

I forgot to ask u that we r going to buy some catia v5 seats too, so need to update the v4 model to V5.

1. My question is what happen if i open the Catia v4
model to V5? or how do i convert all v4 model to V5?
2. Do I need seperate translator to convert catia v4 to V5?
If yes, which one?
3. we need to even convert catia v4 model to UG NX,so we
wanted to know if any translator which has dual
purpose 1. Catia V4 to UG NX 2. Catia V4 To Catia V5.
so instead of buying two different translator we can
buy only one.
4. Also wanted to know a cost compare (approximate) '
between Parasolid, STEP, IGES ?

Thanking you in advance,

 

[Azrael]

Catia V5 can open V4 models.

I Think NX2 can import V4 solids (license issue I guess)

 

[rossly]

I am not sure on this but you might get better UG data if the Catia data is first converted from V4 to V5 and then translated out to UG. Any opions from the others on this? I would also like to know, we do V4, V5 and UG work and it would be good info.

If you get Advanced Designer license from UG you get the STEP and IGES in it. As for seperate, you need to call a UG rep. As for Parasolid, it is the kernel of UG so that comes with UG.




Ross Parpart
Product Design Engineer

http://www.decoma.com

 

[Xwheelguy]

Prior to purchasing a few seats of CATIA v5, we used to outsource our CATIA work to a company that specialized in translation from one CAD software to another (UG to CATIA, Pro E to CATIA, etc.). We would model the parts in Pro E then send an IGES to them so they could rebuild the model in CATIA v4. I had a conversation with one of the employees there & he seemed to think that it was more difficult to get translations into CATIA rather than vice versa.

We've done some translations on our own & usually we don't much of a problem going from CATIA v5 to UG (STEP or IGES). Every now & then we have trouble going from UG to CATIA, but I believe it all depends on how clean your model is to begin with. If you take the time to create a clean model, it will make translations much easier.

As Azrael stated, UG can import (a specific) version of CATIA v4 models & there is also a new CATIA v5 translator available for purchase as well. I do not know if this new translator is a feature to feature translator. I would tend to think that it is not. I also seriously doubt this CATIA v5 translator is bundled with any other licenses, meaning it's a stand alone product.

As far as whether to purchase UG, you have several options. You can outsource all of the GM work to another firm that does models, drawings & data transfer/translations; you can purchase (maybe even lease) a seat of UG through the GM supplier program; or you can purchase it on your own. Should you choose the GM route, you're going to have to contact someone at GM or UGS & work that out. Tell them you're a GM supplier & you want to know about any special offers. You will be required to show proof of business with GM by sending UGS a copy of a GM purchase order. If you decide to purchase the UG, do not forget about the toolkit...that requires a UFUNC/Execute license on top of any modeling/drafting/translator bundle you purchase.

In regards to your CATIA questions, you might get more feedback from the CATIA forum on this site. I know v5 can open v4 models, but what I am not sure about is if you have to purchase that separately or not.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

 

[par1]

What do you mean by - UFUNC/Execute license on top of any modeling/drafting/translator bundle you purchase?

I think you are talking @ the GM toolkit - (which is mentione in GM 1825 - & free to download on gmsupplypower.com)

Just explain it!

 

[Xwheelguy]

Since you're not a current user of UG, then you probably don't understand how the licensing works or how UG is broken down into "modules". A module (for lack of better term) would consist of one function of UG such as Features Modeling or Free Form Features or Drafting or Assemblies (the list goes on & on). The modules when purchased separately will cost you more money in the long run (mainly with monthly maintenance fees). These modules are sometimes bundled together & sold as a package like Advanced Designer bundle or Studio for Design. There are more bundles but I'm not a UG sales rep so I don't know all the bundles that you might be able to purchase nor do I know how much they cost. I would suggest that one contact UGS or visit their website for that information.

On top of the standard bundles for sale, there are also GM supplier bundles that you MIGHT be able to purchase (at a lower cost) should you meet the criteria for being a GM supplier. Again, I'm not a UG sales rep so I don't know all of the specifics other than you have to show proof of business with GM.

Now, the UFUNC/Execute is a module to UG that allows you to run specialize programs like the GM Toolkit. It is not sold with the traditional bundles that MOST UG users would purchase. So just because you buy an Advanced Designer bundle, that does not mean you can run the toolkit. Without the UFUNC/Execute license, the toolkit is useless. Therefore, in my eyes, the toolkit in its entirity is not free since you have to purchase a license to even run it.

I suggest that you contact BOTH GM and UGS to iron out all the details (cost, availability, modules, bundles, etc.) for what you want. I already gave you a phone number at which you could have gotten all of your questions about UG answered by now.

Finally, I'm going to address your final comment in the post above. It's NOT my job to answer your questions. I'm giving up MY time to try & help you. Should you make any other comments or demands like the one in your last post, then I shall leave it to others to give you the help you seek or you can find it on your own. Be thankful I'm even responding to you after making a crappy comment like that. I am doing the best I can as fast as I can & if you're not happy with that, then I guess you're SOL. And please understand, I mean this in the friendliest of ways. I just didn't think it was too polite of a comment.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

 

[Azrael]

V5 opens V4 models without any extra licences, at least at our place.

V5 has a wide range of translator workbenches/licences were parasolid is one of them, I haven´t tried it so I don´t know how it works with UG.

Finaly, try to be at least humble, Tim´s support in your thread is major.

 

[par1]

Thanks to Ross, cicciazzo & Azarel for ur help.
Special thanks to Tim.
I am UG user but never dealt with buying the softwares so excuse me for any crap!

 

[Xwheelguy]

par,

Don't worry about it (the crap as you called it). I hope you have a little better understanding or an idea of the route you're going to take.

Should you get lost along the way, go to

http://www.google.com

& do a search for the vendor (CATIA or UG) website & get a phone number to call from there. Request that you speak to a sales rep & explain to them your situation. They will know what software you will need and can give you a full list of translators for your CATIA to UG conversion.

Did you review GM 1825 & understand the basics of what is required like layering, categories, geometry checks & file checker? Do you understand what you have to purchase to run the toolkit?

I'm not sure I fully understand your situation, unless you're planning on moving old parts from CATIA to UG to satisfy GM requirements. You do plan on modeling all of your GM parts in UG & not even bothering with using CATIA, correct?

Also thanks to Azrael for understanding my feelings in my last post.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com