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IGES files in SW drawings 4

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jetp1

jetp1

Aerospace
Apr 26, 2005
31
I have a model in CATIA with 600 holes that are only specified with points. I made it an IGES file to import into SolidWorks. I was able to convert model with the points into SW. I created a SW Part that I want to import into a drawing. I was able to import the part, but only the front view contains the points and sketch entities. I am not able to pull any dimensions off of the model. How can I get the points and sketch into the other views? How can I get dimensions off of the model? The measuring tool can measure the dimensions that I need, but I want to make dimensions on the drawing.
 
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Sometimes if I've been working too long without a reboot, view entities wont show up, in drawings. After a reboot it is fixed. Also have you tried the parasolid out trick, after making the sw solid, then open the parasolid? That tends to fix alot of my importing problems.
 
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Parasolid is much better within the SW environment, as BOBORUSH mentioned.

Just in case, make sure View > Sketches is selected in your drawing. Check some of the other items under the View menu as well to make sure you're not accidentally hiding any elements from view. (May even do so with the hidden views highlighted or right-click within those views if the reboot didn't help.)


Jeff Mowry
Reality is no respecter of good intentions.
 
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I created a parasolid and then I imported it. Then I tried to make a drawing from that part and I am still unable to make a dimension. I tried to make a section view and I got a warning saying:

A drawing view with an empty model cannot be sectioned.

If I have a complex shape is there a way to fill it?

Thanks
 
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Sounds like you may have an empty surface (non solid).

By the way, the complex shape issue may be a separate issue. If you take a section of your file, do you get crosshatching through its volume or not? If not, again, you probably have a hollow surface. If you do, perhaps you have only spline-like geometry with which to snap dimensions. If this is true, you'll need to create some sort of sketch structure with which to define exactly where you want your dimension. Dimensions can be snapped on points or edges (straight) or arc centers. If your file does not have these natural features, you probably won't be able to dimension.

Please post more information about the nature of your imported file.


Jeff Mowry
Reality is no respecter of good intentions.
 
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Its ring that is about 120" in dia. and 3" tall. Its thickness varies from .12" to .5". The cross section is similar to an F.

Is there a way to fill the empty geometry or convert it to a solid?
 
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I take it you have an empty surface then?

If so, you can attempt to knit the surfaces by selecting each surface, then the Knit feature. Select the "Try to form solid" option and see what happens. Your surface needs to be a closed surface to do this, but should work unless you have surface gaps or other irregularities.


Jeff Mowry
Reality is no respecter of good intentions.
 
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I tried knitting the surface and it gave me the same warning, so it is still an empty surface. Is there another way to form a solid?
 
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What was the warning it gave you, specifically? You need to make sure you select all surfaces/surface bodies to knit.

Is your surface open or closed. Any holes in your surface makes it open.


Jeff Mowry
Reality is no respecter of good intentions.
 
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The warning said:

A drawing view with an empty model cannot be sectioned.

It has 100 holes. How can I make the holes a closed surface?
 
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I have imported the file as an stl. It is one complete surface. The knit surface option does not work because it cannot knit only one surface. Is there another way to convert a surface to a solid? I tried importing the file as a solid body but SW just crashes.
 
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What are your system specs?
What version of SW & SP?
How big (MB) is the file?

[cheers]
Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520
 
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I am using SolidWorks 2005 SP01.1. The STL file is 5.439 MB and the IGES file is 2.181 MB. I am using Windows 2000 Professional. I have a 2.20 GHz Intel XEO processor with 1.048 GB of RAM and 65 GB of storage.
 
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Video card & driver?

Can you install latest SP?

How much free space on your HDD?

Can you import other IGES, STL, Parasolid or STEP files?

Sorry for all the piddly questions ... just trying to eliminate possible causes.

BTW, how were you trying to place the dimensions?

Can you post a screenshot of the part & SW Feature Manager (faq559-1100)

[cheers]
Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520
 
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I have a Dell 2000 FP (Analog) with ATI Fire GL 8800 128 MB Video Accelerator. I have 65 GB on my hard drive. I can import other IGES, STL, Parasolid, and STEP files. I can also import these but I am unable to make them solid bodies, which is what I need in order to make a section view in a drawing file. I am able to create some basic dimensions from the model. Such as height and diameter. I am not sure how to attach a picture. Do you know of another way to get a cross section view that I can dimension?

Thanks
 
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To post a picture see faq559-1100

Are you using the 5.12.2195.3056 video driver?

[cheers]
Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520
 
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How do I find the video driver?
 
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The following is for XP Pro, but should be similar for W2K.

Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware (tab) > Device Manager
Expand Display adaptors
Double click on the card shown then select Driver tab.
The driver version should be listed part way down the list.

The problem you are having probably isn't video card related, but checking it out won't hurt.

[cheers]
Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520
 
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