3 POINT CHECKLIST for Importing Neutral File Formats into SOLIDWORKS

We often receive inquiries regarding the changes surrounding importing neutral file formats within SOLIDWORKS, especially after upgrades to SOLIDWORKS have been completed and settings have been reset to default values.  Some added complications were introduced in the 2019 release of SOLIDWORKS as neutral file formats were included in the 3Dinterconnect functionality.

Considering these changes the question remains:

What do I need to do to ensure that my SOLIDWORKS installation will consistently provide me with the best translation possible when importing Neutral File Formats?

SOLIDWORKS does a very consistent job at translating most of the common neutral file formats, (STEP, SAT, IGES, Parasolid) providing a few points have been considered beforehand:

1. COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE FILE

Communicate with your supplier or client, as there are a number of items that will assist you with the translation:

• What application the neutral file came from & what neutral file formats work best from that application.
• Across how many file formats or CAD applications has the file already been translated, potentially introducing errors?
• What export options were used? Was the model exported as surfaces, solids or a cloud of data points? (So you know what to expect)
• What unit system is being used by the exported neutral file?
• Were there any model errors reported by the software exporting the data?

Should you expect to perform any manual repair on the files once received? – The adage “Garbage in, garbage out” holds true! If the export contains geometry errors, these errors will most likely translate to the imported model within SOLIDWORKS. A responsible user can streamline the process for everyone by ensuring they are providing clean, error-free geometry and not “Garbage”.)

• Demandez-leur quels sont les autres formats de fichiers neutres dont ils disposent et qui permettraient de réduire le nombre de traductions.
• (Parasolid being the IDEAL choice as Parasolid is the modeling kernel that SOLIDWORKS is built upon, and the fewer translations between formats – the better.)

2. CHECK YOUR IMPORT SETTINGS

Check the SOLIDWORKS import options prior to beginning the import of your neutral file.  Ensure that the 3D Interconnect option is set appropriately for your needs via

Tools > Options > System Options > Import

• SOLIDWORKS offers a great deal of control over exactly how neutral files are imported and what to do with the extra data that may be in the file.
• For traditional import functionality 3D Interconnect should remain unchecked.
• Always use the SOLIDWORKS Open Dialog so you have control over the options that SOLIDWORKS is using via the file type selection within the Open Dialog

This step will also permit you to place the neutral file in a folder for simplified containment of the resulting files that are generated from the import.

Hint !!

<- The settings in this image are the most common settings that SOLIDWORKS users will need to import their geometry in as a Solid Body.

3. CLEAN UP FOR FUTURE USE!

Check the integrity of the imported model:

• Exécutez les diagnostics d'importation sur le corps importé pour tenter une réparation automatique du modèle et réduire le nombre de réparations que vous devez effectuer manuellement. (Cliquez avec le bouton droit de la souris sur l'élément "Imported1" dans l'arbre des éléments et choisissez "Import Diagnostics").
• L'utilisation de l'outil "Check Entity" vous donnera une idée de l'endroit où se trouvent les problèmes supplémentaires. (Outils > Vérifier)
• Remplacez toutes les faces de réparation nécessaires pour former un volume fermé et créer le corps solide de votre pièce importée.

Being proficient with the surfacing tools within SOLIDWORKS will aid greatly with this step. If you deal with important parts routinely and would like to improve or learn the surfacing tools, attend one of our SOLIDWORKS Surfacing classes – click here for more info about this class including a schedule.

La prise en compte des quelques points ci-dessus lors de la préparation de tout type d'échange entre systèmes de CAO devrait vous permettre d'obtenir une traduction aussi fluide que possible.