Converting an Assembly to "dumb" solid

[jeblack]

I have a complex assembly with many surface models and subassemblies with up to 5000 part copy geometry making up a single part. I have to make the entire assembly a single part document. I have tried stp, igs, parasolid, etc. and they all fail. Is there anyway to make a dumb solid out of an assembly. I am wondering if SolidWorks has a tool like Pro/E shrinkwrap. I need this file for a space claim "pretty picture" type of model that the customer can use in there assembly as a single part file.

My Machine is 3ghz, 4 gb ram 1 gig video. SolidWorks is using about 1.2GB of memory with this assembly open and even more when I try to translate to igs, stp, parasolid. Please let me know something. Thanks.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

File > Save As > Part.

Sounds like you also need to activate the /3GB switch.

 

[fcsuper]

You can save an assembly as a part by simply doing that at Save As.... Select *.sldprt as your save format. SolidWorks will convert your assembly into a surface model part.

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA

http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Actually the options are;

Exterior faces
Exterior components
All components

 

[ctopher]

For customers, if they don't need to do CG/Mass, I will select "Exterior faces".

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Sometimes you have to be careful when using the Exterior faces option.

The first time I used it was with an assy that had openings to the main inside volume. This meant that all the outer surfaces of the inner components were also shown. It had the same visual appearance as the "All components" would have had except as surfaces. You either have to close off the openings first or remove the unwanted surfaces.

 

[ctopher]

This is true. I have never had openings to worry about.
Good point!

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

 

[jeblack]

CorBlimeyLimey

what is the difference in file size of saving as "all components" or surfaces if you have a lot of internal surfaces like you were saying.

James

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

ummm ... why not try it and see?