Points and Axes in IGES/STEP imports

[Guest0527211403]

Hi everyone

I'm pretty new to ADAMS, and I'm trying to evaluate a mechanism originally modeled in Pro/Engineer. It contains a non-linear spring element, so I'd like to compare the results with an analytical solution to the same problem.

I'm wondering if there is a trick to importing files with datum geometry (i.e. points and axes) which I can then attach a marker to in ADAMS. So far, I haven't had much luck with this at all, and the only entities I can snap to are vertices on the imported model. I'm considering an alternate method of recreating the models as simple curves (i.e. a 'stick' structure), but I'd like to know if there's a way I can do this without having to recreate the geometry.

Thanks in advance

 

[GregLocock]

Is this in ADAMS/View?

If so I'm surprised you can bring in anything other than 3d shapes from a CAD package. As I understand it you create parts and markers as usual in ADAMS and then just fix the STP body to the part, for display purposes.

If you post the adm file here I'll have a look at it and tell you what is going on, or use the /tools/database navigator to have a look yourself.


Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Guest0527211403]

Hi Greg

This is indeed in ADAMS/View.

I managed to tool around with the exporting options from Pro/E in order to be able to bring in points & lines (via STEP). The resulting ADAMS model was pretty messy and cumbersome as it brought in all of the points in the model, when I really only needed about six.

In the end I redid the whole thing without any points as per your suggestion and just "hung" the polygon data on the part (so the bosses can have their pretty movie.)

After a while I got what I wanted, and I'm pretty impressed with ADAMS so far, but it seems I'm just at the tip of a very big iceberg.

Thanks for the help

 

[GregLocock]

"I'm just at the tip of a very big iceberg. "

You can say that again.

Afer you've got your feet wet using the GUI, start reading your .adm files, it will help you understand what the GUI is up to.




Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.