Most compact way of saving a PCB?

[FreddyB]

I have an assembly that includes a PCB imported from a supplier as an IGES file. I have others that have been converted using CircuitWorks from an IDE file. These files show every little part and while I do need the outer profiles to ensure clearances to other parts I really don't need files that are so large. I have tried saving the assemblies as SolidWorks assemblies, parts, parts with surfaces only, as parasolids etc etc. Looking at the assembly or resultant part in Windows explorer shows that the file sizes are still very large.

It's not practical to remodel the part so is there another way?

I sometimes think I'm the only one with these issues but I'm sure that can't be. Or can it??

 

[ShaggyPE]

The problem is the number of edges and surfaces. I have two options for you.

1. Take the assembly, SaveAs part (external components). Then in the part file, delete the bodies of the components you don't need visible. Anything that has complex geometry, model a block around it. You don't need the detail, just the boundary. Merge everything together. Save this file out as a parasolid and then bring it back into SolidWorks.

2. Try to use SpeedPak.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

 

[GRF]

Another option might be to save them out as parasolid. Then open the assembly and select one part and join all the rest to it. Now save that file out as a parasolid. When you open that file it should be relatively small.