Importing NX '.prt' /dxf /dwg formats into SEv19 1

[drstevil]

Hello all, I have a customer who primarily uses SolidEdge v18 (or at least that's the system they're using at the moment) that I had to do some simple 2D drawing modifications for. Since I'm much more fluent with UniGraphics, I had my customer export the files to a DXF/DWG format and then I imported them into NX for modification assuming that the customer could just open the NX parts up in SE, then save them .

When I sent the PDF's over for approval, they asked me for the files back in a solid edge format. I tried opening the files in SolidEdge v19 and get an import error basically saying that I didn't have the proper translators installed.

I then tried simply exporting them to a DXF/DWG type format, then opening/importing them in SolidEdge, and get the same import error.

Is there an easy way to do what I'm trying to accomplish? Even an external translator? These are just simple 2D drawings, no 3D geometry attached or anything like that, only curves.

Im running NX version 4 BTW.

thanks, I appreciate any advice you can give me. I have a few weeks to get it figured out before they need them. I'd just start over in solidedge, but I'd need to learn the software first

 

[beachcomber]

Solid Edge will open UG part files only so I think the only way for drawings is via dwg/dxf, although IGES is also an option.
What version of dwg/dxf did you export them as from UG ?
Maybe the export was a higher version than SE V18/V19 will be able to import.
I'm on SE V20 and that will do up to AutoCad 2000
Other than that I can't think of a reason.
SE is pretty good at importing dwg/dxf.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[drstevil]

Thank you for the quick reply, I'll have to double check what version it's exporting it as, but I'm almost positive that it doesn't give an option (probably the latest I would assume). Maybe I'll have to export, import to an older version of autocad, export then try importing into solidedge.

I'll try IGES next. Hopefully that will net better results. Do you have any suggestions for importing/exporting into SE? Like I said, I'm not very familiar with SE and if it's anything like NX, it can be a bit cumbersome at times trying to get it to do what you want it to do.

thanks for all the help

Steve

 

[beachcomber]

Hi Steve,
Converting dwg and dxf into Solid Edge is really simple -
let's assume dwg
Start Solid Edge then File > Open.
Now set the File Type drop-down to AutoCad dwg and find the folder where the file is located.
Select the file to open.
Now you may need to set the import units because SE seems to import as inches by default.
If you want mm click the Options button which should now be active.(Before you select a file it will be greyed out)
On the first options screen you should see the name of a .ini file. You can also get a preview of the file.
Just click next and go to the second screen.
Now change the units to mm, and set the draft template you want to use.
For now click Finish (if you do Next you can set other parameters)
You will probably get an error saying you can't change the ini file and you need to create a copy etc.
Set the new ini file name to seacad_mm.ini and it should now work ok.
The dwg will be imported onto the 2D model sheet.
When you get this far come back and I can show you how to get the drawing onto the Working Sheet

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[drstevil]

thanks a bunch for the tips BC I'll give that a shot and let you know how I went. Hopefully this will take care of it.

thanks again
-Steve

 

[drstevil]

Hey, I just wanted to check back and let ya know I got it working ok.

As it turns out, the reason why I was getting the import errors was because it was trying to export/import the font I was using in UG/NX. To correct it I re-exported everything to a CGM format, turned the text into poly-lines, then imported back into UG and re-exported to DXF/DWG format.

From there, I followed your directions and got them imported perfectly into SolidEdge. Thanks again for all the help, without it I probably would of thrown my computer through a wall in frustration lol

dumb question though, since I'm using v19, will they (using v18) have problems opening it? I'm not sure if SE has any kind of backwards compatibility or not.

I owe ya a beer

-steve

 

[beachcomber]

They will not be able to open V19 files in V18.
You'll have to send them a dxf or dwg
As for the fonts, does UG/NX use Windows fonts or does it have it's own font library ?


bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[drstevil]

lol that figures... it's never easy.

Yeah, NX uses it's own font library. There may be a way to use windows fonts, but never looked into it.

btw, nice processor. The Q6600 I take it? I'm running one at home... the thing screams

 

[beachcomber]

Yes, Q6600, and you're correct - it really flies.
The spec is for my home machine. I work as a contractor and my current work machine is a lower spec - single core, less memory, lower graphics card, but it's ok for the size of assemblies we are doing. Where I found the quad really scores is generating and updating drawing views of big models - start task manager and see all 4 cores hitting 100% for several minutes.
Wish I could get some work for home, but everyone seems to want you on-site.
Font mappings can be a real PITA, but at least if they are windows fonts you can usually use them from one CAD to another.
When you export from UG is there a setting to convert all text to lines etc ? In SE I think you can do that from the setting available under the Save As > DXF > Options

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.