IGES Solid export help

[BruceWil]

We design all of our parts it ProE V20 or 2001 - Have not liked any later versions (could start a whole other topic there!). We have exported our files as IGES surface models into FeatureCam for machine programing of our parts. This has worked fine but now FeatureCam has come out with automatic feature recognition that will essentially process the parts completly automatically. The problem is that this to use this the files must be imported as IGES solids. Version 20 seems to only export an IGES surface model. In version 2001 when I go to save as, iges, I get a dialog box that lets me select solid or surfaces. If I select solids, I get an apperantly empty file when it shows up in FeatureCam. The FeatureCam people say the file is bad.
Here is the actual note from tech support:
The iges file is bogus. The brep entity (type 186) is supposed to point to a shell, but it points to itself! i have seen a couple of these, it's sounds like there is a buggy Pro/E version out there. i have fixed it (the one line in the .igs file) and imported it fine. (as solid).


The Iges file tech support sent back did import fine but there must be some config setting or something I am missing in ProE. I really do not want to spend the extra $1,500.00 to buy a direct import translator to FeatureCam from ProE.

Thanks so much for any help you can provide.
Bruce

 

[Rocko]

Go to PTC website and download prodesktop for free. The free version will allow you to import pro-e files and export them as step files. Featurecam says it can import step files.

 

[BruceWil]

Rocko,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. FeatureCam will import Step Files only if you have paid for the option. We use base FeatureCam 2.5D with feature recognition being the only option. If I were going to pay for the option to import step files I would just bypass that and go for the ProE translator.

Any other thoughts????
bruce

 

[Rocko]

Ok here is the good news you can import a pro-e file into it and export a iges file which is based on the new granite kernal. That should solve your problem.

 

[BruceWil]

Rocko,

Thanks, that does work although it is a bit cumbersome for day in and day out use. Do you know if the export problems I am having in my regular ProE are because of a bug or is it confiuration settings that I do not have correct?
Thanks,
Bruce

 

[Rocko]

i would upgrade your pro-e.

 

[BruceWil]

We are a small company (9 total)and we have been using ProE since version 5. With the required workstation etc. I think we paid $50,000.00 to get ProE way back when. That is a lot of money today and it was a WHOLE LOT of money back then. We design parts and assemblies that are basically simple and even version 5 worked great for us. Since then we have spent LOTS of money on "upgrades" that, for us, traded bugs we knew how to work around for ones that we did not understand. In addition the lack of decent documentation with upgrades made the learnig curves long. For the most part, the mew "capabilities" that ProE has added over the years do not seem of value to us. We do not make complex blended swept curves etc. and we do not need to share our files or colaborate with anyone. Wildfire is a completely new interface and it seems more complicated to use without offering any new funcionality that will help us. In addition I believe ProE does a TERRIBLE job of providing help/learning tools for new versions. They seem to want you to HAVE to sign up for their expensive courses to learn a new version. It seems to me that upgrades should come with documentation that would allow a person to get upto speed easily.

Sorry for the rant, but we really feel abused by PTC over these many years and they will have to show me clear and convincing evidence that new products are an improvement FOR MY USE before they get any more of our hard earned money. I think we are probably to small a company for ProE. and I am not sure we wil ever upgrade. Spending the money for the ProE translator from FeatureCam would be a more reasonable choice for us.

Anyway, thanks for all your time and help.
Bruce

 

[Rocko]

Switch to Solidworks. $4000.00 full seat. I personally know of many clients switching because of your same experience.

 

[FCnut]

Hi Guys
Might also mention to go ahead and import your old IGES file then proceed to Featurecams "STICH" option under solid wizard Stitch your Iges surfaces into a solid and rock on!

'If featurecam were female I'd say I do!'

 

[davidinindy]

Sounds like Pro/E is overkill for what you design.
Solidworks has much better documentation of changes and additions. I also say from experience, that tech suppor is much better. They also have a couple CNC package partners that work alongside Solidworks.
For simple product design, you can't beat the value.
For large assemblies, and more complicated projects, the choice might be tougher.
I use both, and move from one to the other (although, I use Wildfire) pretty seamlessly.

David