How to assemble a part with a .igs extension in CATIA V5?

[sathyukisingh2]

I tried importing an .igs file into CATIA V5 which was created in Unigraphics. The igs file contains a part that has to be assembled with other parts in CATIA V5. In the Assembly Design, I have the other parts assembled which were modelled in CATIA V5. I opened the igs file in the assembler and tried to apply the constraints( contact constraint, angle constraint and offset constraint) but was unable to do so because the selection of the surfaces for the igs part was not allowed. I am a novice in CATIA , so could somebody tell me what exactly should be done to rectify this?

 

[mcgyvr]

I don't use CATIA but in other programs you typically have an environment where you can join/stitch/construct solids from surfaces.
Some programs even have an option during import to automatically convert to a solid.

 

[ewh]

Try asking here -> forum560
Someone there may be able to walk you through the process.

“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.”
-Dalai Lama XIV

 

[IRstuff]

IGES files are not native CAD files; they are primarily used for transferring data between disparate software packages. If the file is coming from CATIA, you should get a CATIA file, not IGES. IGES format will obliterate most of the useful CAD features, and you're usually left with something that can only be used for viewing of features.

TTFN
faq731-376

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[mcgyvr]

There is obviously a difference in wanting to edit the native features vs just converting imported surfaces to solids..

Most CAD packages have solutions for both.. I use Autodesk Inventor and there are functions to essentially recreate the native feature tree to allow you to edit the solid features just like if it was a native file type.. There is also a simple process to convert imported surfaces to solids to allow constraining..

When exporting you have the option to use solids or surfaces only.. This is a situation where the OP got an IGES that was exported as surfaces and just needs to convert those into a true solid.. no mention of needing to edit anything in his question..

Its always easier to get the file in the native format matching the program you are using.. But iges or step files can work just fine too.. Just a couple extra steps.

 

[sathyukisingh2]

Thank you all for your suggestions and replies!