Converting an autocad dumb solid? 1

First of all, double check that all your add-ins are loaded. It sounds like you have the MDT add-in loaded, but also try the DXF3D.

Have you tried opening up the dwg or a dxf file directly in SolidWorks?

My final idea is layers. I know that when I import a 2D dxf into a drawing, all the layer information is also imported and often the layers have been turned off by SolidWorks. Part files don't support layers, to my knowledge, but it may be affecting your import. I heard somewhere that SolidWorks deals with layer 0 and the defpoints layer rather strangely. You may want to put all the elements on one layer (once on layer 0, once on another layer) and try importing that.

--Scott

Scott,

Thank you for your suggestions, all those things I tried already and I still get an empty file. As far as the mdt translator the files are dumb solids and mdt translator won't work on them. Any other suggestions?

Kim

Have you tried making an Iges file and then importing it to SW? Maybe even try Xchangeworks?

Scott Scott Baugh, CSWP
George Koch Sons,LLC
Evansville, IN 47714
sjb@kochllc.com

Thank you for your suggestion, I think I will stick with the acis file, it seems they are cleaner files.

Thank you

Kim

Kim,

I have to admit, I don't know much about AutoCAD other than I don't want to use it. I have never held a job that required me to use it. Although I work for a company that has 55+ seats of it installed. There is only two of us now that use SW here. I was the only one for about 8 months.

Well good luck then and I hope you find the answer. You should really try posting that to comp.cad.solidworks

Scott Baugh, CSWP Scott Baugh, CSWP
George Koch Sons,LLC
Evansville, IN 47714
sjb@kochllc.com

Kim,

ACIS file format is the best way I have found to bring in an AutoCAD 3D model for use in SWX. I just hope that you are not looking for features to edit. ; )

I can't vouch for its performance since I haven't used it yet, but have you tried the FeatureWorks add-in that is available from Solidworks? It is advertised as being able to recognize the features of dumb solids (ACIS, STEP, IGES, etc.) imported from other CAD systems and make them parametric. Does anyone have any experience (Good, Bad, or Other) with this add-in?

It is good, however it does take some time depending on the size of the part.

Kim

I ENCOUNTERED THIS SAME SITUATION THIS MORNING. THE SOLID MUST BE A MDT 'PART' BEFORE THE TRANSLATOR WILL WORK. LOAD INTO MDT, GOT TO THE PART MENU - CONVERT SOLID. SAVE IT AND TRY TO IMPORT INTO SWX. NOTE THE MDT TRANSLATOR WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT MDT 5.0 INSTALLED.

HOPE THIS HELPS,
JEFF

Heres a coupla things I didnt hear mentioned; ones easy and ones a 'techhie' ...

1) Did you actually try and 'zoom ' the model in SW? The settings for acis import into SW arent quite clear, and your model may have come in *tiny* ...

2) use the 'acisoutver' in acad, and try exporting to a version 2 ...