Importing Large STEP File

[Ataloss]

I'm trying to import a 47MB Step file (from Catia V5) into Ideas 12 (Unix) and am running into a problem. Searching here I found a thread where someone was having the same problem going from UG to Ideas and got around the problem by using a Parasolid file. Unfortunately Catia doesn't offer that solution.

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=153928&page=5

Looking in the Ideas Help, it recommends turning off 'auto memory settings' and manually changing the available memory to approximately 1500MB. How do I do this? I am able to go to Options/Preferences/Memory Usage so I believe the auto memory settings are turned off, otherwise I would get a pop up window telling me how to turn them off (at least that's what the help tells me). In the Memory Usage Window I am able to adjust the percent memory allocation limit for Display List. Adjusting this automatically adjusts the Application Dynamic memory (total memory for App. Dyn. Memory and Display List total 1533). Adjusting Display List (default was 33% or 507.3MB) seemed to have no effect on the size of STEP file I could open. I tried adjusting the display list memory until the Application Dynamic Memory was above 1500MB, but that didn't do anything (still limited to about 30MB STEP file). I am unable to directly adjust the Application Dynamic Memory.

The only other thing I can adjust in this window is the "Fortran workspace" memory, currently set at 50MB. I did not try adjusting this. I am unable to get the "Fixed Base" memory to change (set at 460.8MB).

Am I trying to adjust the memory in the correct spot? Am I adjusting the correct memory setting?

My current workaround is to split the 47MB Step file into two smaller files and then combine them into one model in Ideas, but this adds a lot of time and hassle that I would like to avoid. If anyone can offer any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. (My IT department was no help).

Thanks,
Bob

 

[jelmerra]

The automatic memory setting is located in the parameter file (ideas root directory).

Adjusting the display list will only help if you run out of graphical memory i.e. large number of details.

The fortran workspace memory is useful for cae jobs not so useful for importing step files.

You are adjusting the memory settings on the right spot if you want you can set these in the parameter file too. The memory settings in the parameter file offer more options.

I think I would try to change the parameter file then try again. I am not sure if the automatic memory allocation works on unix I think it was intended for windows installs. It is likely that the automatic memory allocation setting is not enabled.

 

[mikeshay]

Bob,

The following three preparations will improve translation performance:


Preparation#1 - Create environment variable:

(1) Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->System
(2) Click on 'Advanced' tab, then click on 'Environment Variables'
(3) Under the System Variable section, create the needed variable by click on 'New'
(4) In the New System Variable form, enter the following:
Variable name: = IMSSTEP_USEOA
Variable value: = 123
(5) OK all forms.


Preparation#2 - Setup the recommended Memory Usage Value:

In the Memory Usage preference form, input the following six values only:

Total Virtual Memory Limit = 1500 (this is assuming your machine has at least 1.5 GB of RAM)**
(**The value from 'Total Virtual Memory Limit' should correspond to the amount of RAM on that particular machine. (i.e. A machine with 1GB of RAM will have value of 1000; A machine of 1.5GB of RAM will have value of 1500))

Be sure the % column's value is set to 71, 16.4, 6.3, 3.5, and 2.8 even after the Total Virtual Memory Limit is modified.

Exit I-deas and re-launch I-deas, go to Memory Usage form and double check the newly inputted value, it should be the same as above.


Preparation#3 - Setup I-deas workbench to improve import performance:
(1) Go to Display Filter form and turn off visibility for 'wireframe', 'part', 'assembly', 'part annotation', and 'assembly annotation'.
(2) Click on the Line Mode icon, as this will set the workbench display to line mode instead of shaded mode.

Hope this helps,
Mike