Getting non native data in and out of NX

[grab1]

Hi, we've been using NX for quite sometime, but have problems getting IGES, STEP data primarily into NX, however if we run it through SolidWorks first and export/inport as a Parasolid it works much better.
I am currently in discussion with Siemens UGS about this. Basically why is SolidWorks much better at translating data given they are both based on ParaSolids.
They don't seem to think anyone else has problems!!!
Do they?

 

[hudson888]

Grab,

Okay I have heard such a claim made ONCE previously, however I never got a response when I asked the person what I'd like to know from you if you can tell me. How is the STEP or IGES date specifically better when passed through Solidworks and then into UG.

The Parasolid part of the equation I understand since that is owned by I guess Siemens now, and it is basically the underlying kernel of NX so it is not so much a translation as an exchange of equivalent data.

I therefore am curious of anyone who can tell me whether Solidworks can import IGES or STEP better than NX. I have some theories but not much evidence that it is even really true to go by.

Best regards

Hudson

 

[grab1]

Hi Hudson,
We receive data from many different sources, design agencies, Toolmakers, converters etc, and get a wide variety of problems mainly around surfaces that have not stitched, have disappeared or distorted in some way. Quite often all we need is a rapid prototype and don't really want to start fixing the model. So when we have issues its becoming the norm to fire upSW's and see how the part looks. Quite often we get a good part. I've not been able to count the actual number of fixes, but I'd say its about a 50% success rate. Regards Grab1

 

[SiW979]

Grab

Are you using the external NX translators or the ones from the file > import menu? We also sue masses of parasolids and Iges data etc and have a much better success rate using the external translators.

Also try and get your supplier to ensure that they are providing you with translator from a very dumb body i.e no parameters within it whatsoever this makes gives their translator much less to deal with when creating the translation.

Finaly, check the advanced settings with your import dialogue boxes, there's a whole world of hurt in them there boxes I tells ya and we have some spectacularly different results by tweaking these settings, especially for Iges.

Regards

Simon.

Best regards

Simon

 

[jerry1423]

I have much better luck with the external translators too. You can get there from your Windows Start>Programs>NX ... . You can also translate (in or out) many parts at a time from there.

I worked on SolidWorks for a short time and was very impressed at how rapidly, and cleanly, it did the translations compared to UGNX. I love working with Unigraphics but it seems to me that their translator has always been a bit on the down side. Maybe because there are so many variables that you can toggle in there.

 

[grab1]

I wonder if this is an NX mystery, it would seem sensible Siemens get this improvement inside as well - many thanks to all for some good tips

 

[jerry1423]

Oh btw ... the external translators are part of the NX package, they are not translators made by somebody else.

Like I previously said to there from Windows go to your start icon > programs > NX5 > translators

 

[hudson888]

Thanks Grab, and others

Here's what I know... IGES more often than not has problems with edge trims and that more often than not occurs with basically planar or cylindrical geometry. IGES is a text file you can read it and get some sense of what it is doing as do the advanced options show that it treats different kinds of geometry with different definitions if you like. The definitions or types are somewhat controlled by the CAD system making the output and settings used to do so, but there are fewer of these so it is harder to get a good result. The settings on the import side however are many and occasionally useful they can be saved and applied to all your future data so that you should be able to use either the command line or interactive version of the importer equally well. Some of the settings are helpful, others are of dubious value. Reducing the tolerances is a common piece of wishful thinks for importing, since the file you're reading is unaffected this setting can make the process take longer in general for little or no benefit. I have been told that all it does is to make the system search for accurate intersections more thoroughly.

What I have experimented with is that if I export IGES from NX and re-import it I have about 95% fewer problems if I extract B-Surface type for all faces on the model as the data that I export. Some of the above may explain that. As a result I frame the options used to export from other CAD systems similarly where possible.

I have less to say about STEP214 we see degradation of data in different ways and have had some luck using healing to deal away with certain small errors like tiny objects or spikes and cuts.

Best Regards

Hudson

 

[grab1]

I think we will hold on to those seats of SolidWorks, its a lot less hassle and we get the results we want.