The best file formats for exchanging data?

[KirbyWan]

Howdy all,

I have a general question about the differences between file formats and what is best. As a creator of solid models, I know that the best file format is the one that the people I'm sending my models to to be turned into a physical part want. But in saving my SW files to various file formats I was wondering...

What's the difference between STEP 203 and 214?

What's the difference between .DXF and .DWG?

How does IGES stack up against these?

What else do I need to know that I don't? (concerning this topic of course)

at the moment I'm working mostly with sheetmetal to be cut to accurate shape with some minor brake forming on a couple of parts, or honeycomb aluminum core to be cut to shape and beveled.

Thanks,

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[KENAT]

Well, if using one of the software that can use it, unlisted Parasolid may be favorite.

However, that's an SE guy talking.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[MadMango]

From SW10 Help: The STEP translator supports import and export of body, face and curve colors of STEP AP214 files. The STEP AP203 standard does not have any color implementation.

See also:

thread561-153366

http://machinedesign.com/article/whats-new-with-iges-and-step-0524

Having posted all that, I have never had an issue sending Parasolid files unless the end user can't use them.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[fcsuper]

STEP is good, but should be provided with a drawing so the vendor doesn't scale the part wrongly.

Matt Lorono
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources & SolidWorks Legion

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/solidworks & http://twitter.com/fcsuper

 

[ewh]

We use iges only as a last resort, prefering just about any other neutral format, or even native which we will translate ourselves over iges.

"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]

 

[fcsuper]

Parasolid is often preferred. If that is not an option, then STEP is usually the next in line.

Matt Lorono
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources & SolidWorks Legion

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/solidworks & http://twitter.com/fcsuper

 

[grunt58]

Agreed parasolid then step AP214. IGES is the absolute last resort. Most of the time when we import IGES there are errors that import diagnostics can't fix. Step can usually be fixed by import diagnostics if errors occur. Parasolids don't usually have erros.

Isn't parasolid perfered for SW because of the kernel used to write SW? What about Pro E, SE, UG etc. do they use different kernels?

Sorry don't mean to hijack your thread...

Certified SolidWorks Associate
SW2009 X64 SP 1.0
Dell Precision T5400
Nvidia Quadro FX 5600
Xeon 2.5GHz Quad Core, 4GB RAM
XP Pro X64 SP2.0

 

[KirbyWan]

Grunt,

You're welcome to open the discussion in any direction you see fit. I find it instructive. I don't know that much about the parasolid file format. I think I need to study up on it.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Parasolid is the modeling kernel for both Solid Edge and NX (AKA, UG). It's also licensed to several other vendors of CAD software products who utilizes Parasolid in various ways as outlined on the following website:

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/open/parasolid/index.shtml

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[ctopher]

More info:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cad-cam/what-various-3d-cad-file-formats-best-167687/

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion