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opening other CAD files

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PaulnKY

PaulnKY

Mechanical
Feb 3, 2004
48
Is it possible to open another type of file and have something you can manipulate?

Every time I have tried I just get a solid body that cannot be changed.
 
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That depends on the type of file. You can do this with MDT files. If you have SolidWorks Office then feature works my be of some help to you. It worked pretty well in the demo I saw but it requires a lot of manual work and it may choke on complex parts.
 
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SW04 SP2.1 is able to open Pro-E files and can get you some if not all the features in the tree. You have to specify it first though.

Otherwise you have to use FeatureWorks or deal with the fact you have a Imported solid body.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP [pc2]

If you are in the SW Forum Check out the FAQ section

To make the Best of Eng-Tips Forums FAQ731-376
 
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Definately run featurworks on the file. You may have to go the interactive route, but it makes it manageable at least. Depending on the complexity of the part.
 
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Thanks for the tips, I don't have Office so I can't run feature works. Mostly what I would like to import are Inventor files, How well does Feature Works handle these?
 
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Feature works doesen't care what type of file it's working on. The more important thing is the complexity of the model. If it's a fairly geometric shape (or sheetmetal part) with holes, cuts, bosses, then feature works will be fine. If your getting into free form shapes with lofting, sweeping, and surfacing I'm not sure the results will be what you like. SW will open native Inventor files. It may also translate them automtically like the MDT and Pro-E files. Not sure, I've never opened Inventor files.
 
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"SW04 SP2.1 is able to open Pro-E files and can get you some if not all the features in the tree."

SW '04 SP3 will not open Wildfire files, is there something besides Feature Works that I need to use
 
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Also I get an error when I try to open an Inventor file.

the first pop-up says
"The specified module could not be found"

The second pop-up says
"could not load SolidWorks DLL:sldsatu.dll"

I'm running SP4.1
 
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Moroso,

SW period doesn't open Wildfire files. It will only open the new Pro-E encrypted files.

PaulKY,

Try running a repair on your SW install - faq559-908

You can also try to manually load *.dll files by going to the File\Open menu and changing your file types to "Add-ins *.dll" and go find that *.dll file to load. If you get the problem. Then try to repair your install. If that doesn't do it try cleaning out your TEMP folder. After that then my last suggestion would be to uninstall and reinstall - See FAQ's on all those types of fix options.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP [pc2]

If you are in the SW Forum Check out the FAQ section

To make the Best of Eng-Tips Forums FAQ731-376
 
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Hey Scott,

I beleive if you read the documentation sent with SW2005 in states that SW 2005 will open Wildfire 1 and 2 files.
 
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Good point. I've been using SW2005 for so long (since beta 1)I just think in that mind set now.
 
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I hear ya!

I have been using it since Beta 1 myself, but I still get most of my calls on SW04. So my mindset is still with SW04.

Thanks for mentioning it though!

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP [pc2]

If you are in the SW Forum Check out the FAQ section

To make the Best of Eng-Tips Forums FAQ731-376
 
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How does SW05 compare to SW04? Big leap or small step?
 
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Some areas have big leaps and some have small steps. The interface has a new look just because of the XP style icons. The new task pane in my opinion is great. it really makes adding block, library features, parts, etc. to files very easy and graphical. It's also a very quick way to search for and open SW files. Sketching has seen changes. Some of them are Brand "A" like. I really like to new offset and trim tools. The new snapping tools are nice but like brand "A" they get in the way sometimes. Lofting has been improved with C2 capability and there are some really cool new "morphing" tools like flex and move surface. Drawings have seen BIG changes. The new annotation tool is wonderful. It has a few bugs but once sorted out it's much better than the old method. The DWGEditor is also going to allow me to circular file Brand "A". About time!! I've also noticed a speed improvement in drawings. There are still some bugs but overall all I would say it's great and worthy of an upgrade.

Download a copy and check it out.
 
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According to comp.cad.solidworks LISP routines can be ran in the DWG Editor. Just how efficent I don't know. But it is interesting to say the least.

SW05 has over 200 pages in a what's manual. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY suggest all those that are planning on moving to SW05 go through this before working in it. This What's New manual will answer a lot of questions that you may have about SW05.

Also test it out throughly before you move your production work over. Because once converted over, your there to stay, no matter what bugs you may or may not find.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP [pc2]

If you are in the SW Forum Check out the FAQ section

To make the Best of Eng-Tips Forums FAQ731-376
 
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Scott, is the "What's New" manual available as an independent download?

I looked (at little) and didn't see it on the site.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15
--------------------
 
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