Which Import Format?

[Willy T]

Guess I need to import CAD models for PC-DMIS to make it easier on me.

The last attempt was IGES - our PC couldn't do the straight IGES, but did work in the IGES (Alternate) import. I'm just wondering what works best. Our Engineers are using ProE Wildfire and I haven't try importing straight as a ProE - mainly because of the file size involved (this one "family" of 12 parts has 123mB worth of files in the folder just for the "group").

From the search I've done on this site, it looks like the answer will be to import as a ProE file, but may not be, depending on what options were chosen if/when the engineer created the IGES (or STEP/DCX or whatever) assumming of course the model was made right to begin with.

Anybody tried several different ways and/or know which options were chosen for the IGES? Anybody get the non-alternate IGES to work, or was that a product of which options were chosen prior to file creation?

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Well, to import PRO-E file format, you will have to PAY for either the DCI (Direct Cad Interface which also requires a PRO-E licence on the CMM PC) or you will have to PAY for the DCT (Direct Cad Translator, requires NO PRO-E licence).

STEP works fairly good (WARNING, there is an issue with UG STEP files in V3.7), but takes a little longer than IGES. Also, if they export the STEP file as the wrong method (there are 2) the cad data will be in ORIGINAL or DESIGN orientation and none of the rotations/translations they made in PRO-E will be in the file you get.

[Robert Masters]

STEP works fairly good (WARNING, there is an issue with UG STEP files in V3.7), but takes a little longer than IGES. Also, if they export the STEP file as the wrong method (there are 2) the cad data will be in ORIGINAL or DESIGN orientation and none of the rotations/translations they made in PRO-E will be in the file you get.

Interesting. Almost all of my files come in STEP format. I'll have to remmber this.

[Perry Fisher]

I have the best results with STEP files. They seem to be cleaner.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Interesting. Almost all of my files come in STEP format. I'll have to remmber this.

There was a s#itload of postings about this just recently. There is a V3.7 MR4 that I have been told takes care of this.

[Bill **********]

I have the best results with STEP files. They seem to be cleaner.

It's funny, I find the exact opposite. Step files seem to come in with everything on a single layer, every surface is the same color, and there are untrimmed surfaces everywhere. Iges comes in in color, on multiple layers, and without the untrimmed surfaces.

Bill

[Vertman]

I use STEP when DCI isn't available, Iges look better but i have had issues picking features from CAD using both ProE/Wildfire & Wildfire 2 with Virtual Dmis and Catia with PCdmis.

[Willy T]

Thanks for the help folks - got the "E"s to make me a STP file to try.

[Willy T]

That was a world of difference!!

STP file came in and had all the surfaces - some were missing in the IGES(Alternate). And everything came in with much more definition.