Crazy experiment to go back in time?

[TheTick]

So much weeping and woe has been expressed over the lack of ability to convert a SolidWorks file to an earlier version.

I have an idea, but do not have the resources to try it or know if it is feasible.

Many CAD programs now have the ability to open and translate files from other applications. SW can open Creo (Pro/E), Creo and Inventor can reportedly open SW.

What if someone were to open a SW file in Creo (or Inventor or other), save in that format, then open that Creo file in earlier version of SW?

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[ajack1]

Would that not just be the same as exporting and then importing it as .iges or .step or .parasolid ?

 

[Updraft]

The real issue is opening a file and retaining its parametric attributes rather than just getting a dumb solid. Ajack1, your comment indicates the result would likely be just another way of passing geometry as a dumb solid, and you might be correct.

TheTick, this is a simple experiment if folks have files from different systems to share. I do not, otherwise I would post a simple file to get things started.

- - -updraft

 

[TheTick]

From what I have seen, SW does a pretty good job at recognizing Creo features. So, no, it's not just a dumb-solid conversion. No point in adding an extra step to that process.

 

[ajack1]

That is certainly what I have found Updraft when experimenting with this, although to be fair it has mostly been with Catia files and not using Solidworks.

One of the main reasons given for not being able to open files from a later version of software is that it will not recognise new or updated features, which makes sense. So it is hard to see how running it through another system would improve that, in fact I would expect it to make it worse.

Having said all that there are so many systems around that it might work in at least some cases and you never know until you try.

 

[mjcole]

How about Direct Modeling methods as seen in NX and CreO direct. When will SolidWorks approach this. They did some work or made claims for the new 3d intersect tool which is nifty and should make mutal trims a complex tool of the past. With direct modeling You don't need to have the feature data to make a modification. SolidWorks has the offset faces tool but this will add additional features to your tree but allow you to modify a face by cutting away or adding to it and getting a dimension you can modify via Instant 3d or dimension modification. SolidWorks could also put some work into the Feature recognition tools.

In many cases you can use project or intersect edge constraint then blow away the on edge or curve relations and auto dim

SpaceClaim just down the street from the former SolidWorks Concord Office at 300 Baker ave has some truly remarkable tools for Featurizing or Modifying geometry from all neutral formats and major CAD packages. I want to pick up a trial version and test it out. I interviewed for a QA position there a few years back and met some of the people who started the company and manage Software Development.

The one annoying thing about importing a Pro/E CreO model into SolidWorks is that the Default Front Top Right planes get duplicated for every sketch. If SolidWorks would allow users or make coincident planes be the same feature on import it would help.

There are a few 3rd party softwares that clainm to be able to open a Catia Part on NX or ProE or other systems and interogate the feature data and convert it from one format to another with Data. Dassault Systems could easily do this between Catia and SolidWorks if they cared to. PTC will make aggreements with companies like Dassault to give them access to the Granite Kernal and ask for information on File Formats sothat Both companies can make better importers.
Hey SolidWorks Product Definition when are you gonna make a SmartSolid import tool


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[ctopher]

In SW 2013 you can open them in 2012.
Link

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[davidinindy]

This hasn't been an issue for me, but I always wondered why SW (and other CAD suppliers) couldn't just make the files so that they could be opened, and maybe just have a couple features that may not import fail and need rebuilt, or suppressed,, etc. %95 of models are going to be the standard extrudes, rotates, etc...

David

 

[evolDiesel]

but I always wondered why SW...

Answer: Because Dassault Systèmes doesn't want to have a product like AutoCAD where companies are still running AutoCAD 98' in production and not paying annual subscription fees

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