Running out of Memory-Large Scanned Files 3

[toycept]

I'm working on files that were originated from scanned castings. The files were sent to me
as Parasolid files. As an example, one part is about 8 inches long and about 1.5 diameter, curved,
but overall, if it was something generated from scratch as a part file, would not be a big file. However this file
I'm working on is about 55 MB. As a result the Solidworks resource monitor warning keeps coming up telling me SW
is running short on memory, to save.... and then...SW terminates. Any words of wisdom how I can lessen the size of the file
so I can work on it without the running out of memory issues. I keep cleaning out the temp folder and that kind of maintenance.
but doesn't seem to help. thanks for the help.

 

[Updraft]

Since the file is a result of a scanned part it likely has a LOT of irregularities. As you said, if it were to have been generated as a native SWX part it would be a small file. All those little bumps/irregularities, even though they are from a Parasolid file, require computer resources to resolve them.

Unless you can get an alternative definition of the part, such as drawings, you have limited options:
1. See what other formats they can save the file as and try those (IGES, ACIS, STEP).
2. See if they can cut the file into smaller segments, perhaps every 2", and thus you have more, but smaller files to work with.
3. I do not know if changing the version of Parasolid would help, but if it does then I would suggest they save the file as the lowest (oldest) version they can and you try that.
4. If the part is as simple as you describe perhaps you can query a model in eDrawings and use that information to model the part in SWX. eDrawings can open SWX part and assy files, Pro/E (*.prt, *.prt.*), and STL.
5. If you can get the file to open at all in SWX I suggest you immediately save it as a) a SWX part file, b) a SWX surfaces-only part file, c) a SWX-generated Parasolid, d) an eDrawing file (with measurement enabled)

- - -Updraft

 

[JMirisola]

They're parasolid files? Scans are usually .stl files, which are notoriously large.
I'm assuming you're making sure that you have no other programs open/running when you're trying to work with the file in question. What are your system specs?

Jeff Mirisola
My Blog

 

[toycept]

thanks for the reply. I hear what you're saying. The original part the scan was generated from
was a sculpted part... so yes, lots of tiny irregular surfaces, even though the part shape is fairly simple.
Shelling is a nightmare, just doesn't happen.... so having to core each part out with cut lofts.
But I'm assuming all those little irregularities are what's driving the file size to be large.

 

[toycept]

no other programs running....running SW 2012, sp 4, 3 megs ram, 32 bit system

 

[AnnaWood]

Get yourself on a 64 bit OS, Windows 7 and get more ram. Really.... No one should be running SolidWorks on a 32 bit system these days.

Cheers,



Anna Wood
SW2012 SP4, Windows 7 x64

http://www.renderbay.com

http://www.solidmuse.com

http://www.phxswug.com

 

[toycept]

Thanks Anna..... I was just talking with my VAR about my machine. Seems like I may be running a dinosaur...using
XP and 32 bit system.

 

[AnnaWood]

Yes you are running a dinosaur if it is an XP machine as well. SolidWorks really benefits from a fast, modern computer with Windows 7 x64.

Cheers,

Anna Wood
SW2012 SP4, Windows 7 x64

http://www.renderbay.com

http://www.solidmuse.com

http://www.phxswug.com

 

[JMirisola]

Hey, my current home laptop is running SolidWorks 2013 on 32-bit Win7 Ultimate just fine. The fact that Dell is currently building up an M4600 64-bit machine is purely coincidental. Mostly.

Jeff Mirisola
My Blog

 

[tummen]

The SW tool that handles 3D scanned piont clouds is called ScanTo3D i think, this is part of the premium package but not the standard.
When importing data using this tool you can reduce the points to sorfaces that makes up an average of all the points and so on.
If you can, try to get the point cloud and redo the import with better cleaning.
If you want to do it now I would try to sketch a new part with measurements from the scanned part and do this on a 64bit mashine if you run out of memory.