IGES import settings

[BOPdesigner]

During a design, we typically download a lot of component files or have vendors send them to us (electrical connectors for PCBs for example). They often come in IGES format unfortunately. Now, what I would like to know is what settings do I need to tweak such that even though there may be errors in the file I am importing, that the resulting solid at least "looks" correct on screen and in drafting. Example errors:

! WARNING- solid body contains fault: 13826 - RTSTLC: Loops inconsistent.

! ERROR- CRTOBY Failure - Error code : 15103 - Duplicate id. : 13847
! ERROR-
! INFO- Could not create sheet body because of topology creation, geometry
! INFO- creation, or failure to attach geometry to topology. Will attempt
! INFO- to convert as many sheet body faces to individual single-faced sheet
! INFO- bodies as possible.

The resulting file in NX 5.0.3 has multiple solid bodies (sew option turned on) and the errors are obvious as faces overlap or don't get generated correctly.

Now, when I importing this same IGES file into a mid range CAD system, one other than the CAD system that generated the IGES, it comes in as one solid body and everything looks good. Any tips that I can try to resolve this would be appreciated. My surface trimming tolerance and Gemetry <a UGS spelling error?> Fixup Tolerance are the default settings.

 

[hudson888]

If it is indeed a supplier electrical connector that isn't highly sensitive intellectual property, then by all means post the iges in here or stick it on somewhere like yousendit.com and post the link here, then we can have a look.

Are you sure that they're solid bodies not sheets? In NX-5 the features are named slightly differently so if like me you haven't been using it very long then you may be mistaken.

If it made a solid/s and bearing in mind that you haven't indicated anything is wrong with that solid/s, then run examine geometry maybe it is okay, but if not let us know what sort of errors you get.

Otherwise maybe turn the sew option off and see what the sheets look like, often the ones that go wrong in iges translations only fail as the result of their ability to be trimmed. You can untrim the surface some of it's neighbors then trim them back and create a sewn solid.

Best regards

Hudson

 

[ewh]

BOPdesigner,
What midlevel CAD system do you use? We get poor iges translations quite often, and it would be nice to find an easy solution to this.

Believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare. - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]

 

[Xwheelguy]

I would turn the automatic sewing off, because you can always do that yourself in NX once the data translates. This will also allow for you to repair any bad surfaces or fix continuity issues due to translation.

It's my opinion that if you want solids in NX use either STEP or Parasolids, not IGES, if you have the choice or input.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

Some people are like slinkies....they don't really have a purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

 

[BOPdesigner]

Turning off the sew surfaces did not help. Unfortunately these parts I am having trouble with I can't share. The mid range CAD program that is Inventor 2008. Strange thing I just noticed is that I can import the IGES in Inventor, and then export a STEP 214 and then import that into a new part file in NX and it looks good.

 

[abco01]

I have 2 questions.I have NX4 and i have to import stp files and iges files to the network so that my boss can view them for quoting purposes.I have no problem importing when they are in DXF or DWG format but i am unsure of how to get them to the next screen.I have them as files in my N drive.There is a box that comes up for me to click on the appropriate spots but i cannot get passed this.Please help me.

 

[hudson888]

ABC,

I don't follow your question at all. I get that DXF is working for you, and that you're having problems with STEP and IGES.
The part where you mention the "next screen" and your N drive are meaningless without some sort of context.

Perhaps you could investigate using the link below to create a clip which shows the steps leading up to the point that you get stuck.

Before you do so check that you have the licenses to run both STEP and IGES and that the translator software is installed on your system.

http://www.webtvwire.com/the-jing-p...l-making-screencasting-screen-capture-easier/

Best Regards

Hudson

 

[BOPdesigner]

I found an IGES file that is avaliable for download that exhibits the problems I have described while importing. You can get the IGES file here:

http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/mol...gcehedffgdfmk.0&channel=Products&Lang=english

Click on the 3D model link to download it (Yes there is a STEP file which is what I used, but the IGES shows you the problems I have when only IGES is avaliable).
Attached is an image of how the IGES correctly imports into IV 2008. How can I fix these import problems in NX?

 

[JohnRBaker]

Have you contacted GTAC and had an IR opened now that you have a file that you can demonstrate the problems with?

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

 

[BOPdesigner]

Not yet. Last time I raised the issue with GTAC about 3 years ago the blame was placed on the errors in the IGES file itself and the application that exported the files. I will try again.

 

[hudson888]

ABC,

You sent a link to download an IGES file that doesn't work. I think because you have to register and because I don't have the product number that you want to download.

Anyway have you just tried file open and select *.igs then just browse to you IGES file and open it. That will work with less menus.

You don't seem to have provided any information indicating problems with the IGES file, so maybe we should assume that it is okay.

Best Regards

Hudson

 

[grab1]

We are finding that SolidWorks cleans up IGES files very well and often use SW's as a filter before importing into NX. This might seem strange, but we moved to NX as our standard platform a few years ago, and still have the odd seat of SW's around. The NX import/repair route seems very precise but is often over kill particularly when you are in a hurry. PS SW's Edrawing's and Rendering are great as well.

 

[BOPdesigner]

Turns out that for this particular example, I can import it sucessfully into NX3. But with NX4 and 5 it has issues. GTAC opened a PR for this problem.