converting from Solid Works to Inventor

[mauzyb]

I deal with alot of IGES and STEP files. However I have started getting models that open only as construction surfaces and wire bodies. I am using Inventor 10 with all the service packs. Am i not checking the proper options when opening the files, are they not converting them right, or could it be a problem with new versions of Solid Works and Inventor 10?

 

[powerhound]

I have used .stp to convert from SWX to Inventor 11 with great success. I don't know how successful it will be going from SWX to 10. I exported the SW file as a step. It gave me 2 protocols for STEP and I believe I chose the protocol with the lower number. When I brought the step into IV, it came in as an assembly although if I remember correctly the components were base solids.
Good luck

Powerhound
Production Supervisor
Inventor 11
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[solid7]

IGES is the preferred method for wireframe and surfaces. STEP is the preferred format for solid conversions. The STEP protocols (AP203 and AP214) differ greatly in how they convert information related to assemblies and layers. AP214 is the preferred format for translating layers and assembly information. AP203 works fine for most things, but we hardly ever use it for assemblies. (as we lose part names in the file tree)



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[mauzyb]

Thanks that is what i needed to know. I now have the SolidWorks file and can open it myself to convert it. Is there any options i need to use when converting to a STEP file, or just save as .stp. The files I am dealing with are engines and transmissions. I dont really care about part names or structure, I just need the model to check mounting and clearances. The next question is then should I convert to AP203 if i want the smallest file possible. My top level assemblies can get messy and am looking to minimize some of these assemblies.

 

[BOPman]

If you're top level assembly is getting large and messy, then I would suggest either LOD (level of display) or representations.

Keep in mind though, just changing the representation for an assy to "look" a certain way will do just that. The BOM will still display as if ALL parts are there (even if they're invisible.)

 

[BOPman]

Correction:

LOD = Level of Detail (not display)