3D Interconnect

3 POINT CHECKLIST for Importing Neutral File Formats into SOLIDWORKS

Importing neutral file formats in 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…

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SOLIDWORKS 3D Interconnect and Importing Tips

Import settings

Are you changing from another CAD program to SOLIDWORKS? Are you frequently importing STEP files from clients? For many SOLIDWORKS users, working with imported geometry and non-native file types is part of every workflow. In this blog, I want to discuss some of the ways…

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The difference between SOLIDWORKS Desktop and 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS / Connected

3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS

There are now two distinct types of SOLIDWORKS software available from Dassault Systemes. SOLIDWORKS Desktop and 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS / SOLIDWORKS Connected, which is a full version of SOLIDWORKS that installs on your computer from the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform and gives you access to all the platform…

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Top 50 Obscure SOLIDWORKS Tips and Tricks

Top 50 SOLIDWORKS Tips and Tricks

Over many years, SOLIDWORKS applications expert; Jim Peltier, has accumulated a list of more than 100 of tips and tricks. Watch his on-demand webinar below to learn top 50 time-saving tips from that list. For example, hidden commands, combination keystrokes, and interesting workflows that will make you say “that’s a…

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PRODUCT RETIREMENT: CATIA® V5-SOLIDWORKS Translator

CATIA V5 SOLIDWORKS Translator

The CATIA® V5-SOLIDWORKS Translator is no longer supported and can no longer be renewed. This tool is also not available in SOLIDWORKS 2019 or newer. Replaced by SOLIDWORKS 3D Interconnect The CATIA V5-SOLIDWORKS Translator was replaced by 3D Interconnect, which provides direct integration of native…

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Working with Autodesk Inventor Files in SOLIDWORKS PDM

SOLIDWORKS 3D Interconnect Inventor Files

In order for Autodesk Inventor files to be managed in SOLIDWORKS PDM, the client system needs to have either the full Inventor application or the Inventor Viewer installed. The reason for this, is that the Inventor files are read/written to, using the Inventor API. The…

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How to fix “Encountered invalid record index” error when importing a STEP file

Have you “Encountered invalid record index” when importing a STEP file into SOLIDWORKS? To fix the file try the following: Deactivate “3D Interconnect” in SOLIDWORKS Options > System Options > Import Open the STEP file using text editor such as Notepad. The file will open…

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SOLIDWORKS PDM 2018 Supports Non-SOLIDWORKS CAD File References

New in SOLIDWORKS PDM 2018 is support for the 3D Interconnect functionality; the PDM vault will now manage references between SOLIDWORKS files and non-SOLIDWORKS CAD files. Note: The non-SOLIDWORKS CAD files must be added to the vault before being added to the assembly, to save the references…

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3D Interconnect is even better in SOLIDWORKS 2018!

Introduced in SOLIDWORKS 2017, 3D Interconnect is a revolutionary new technology allowing SOLIDWORKS users to utilize native parts from other CAD systems directly in their designs. See a 2017 demo below: This meant that no conversion to neutral file formats was necessary to view, edit,…

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