?

Hi;
Read with interest about the problem with a conflict between Autocad and
SW.
Please answer a question for a total beginner. I am a level I Autocad
user. I am just beginning to delve into a SW book and know very little.
Does the aforementioned conflict imply that 2-d drawings drawn in Acad,
are opened in SW and extruded to 3-d? If this is so, how is the format
converted from .dwg?
Thanking you in advance,
Guido De Angelis

 

Guido,

This can be done, but it's not worth the trouble. 2D ACAD data often
contains lines on lines, endpoints that aren't coincident, non tangencies,
and other geometric no-no's. The 2D to 3D tool in SW is more of a marketing
gimick, than a usefull feature.

Using 2d ACAD data is not for the novice either. A considerable amount of SW
knowledge is necessary in order to be successfull, even in the very few
instances when doing this might be a viable option.

You need to learn how to sketch properly to use SW. As I've already told
you, ACAD users have the toughest time. You have to put what you know about
ACAD out of your mind or you'll never get it. ACAD knowlege is usless for
learning SW, in fact, it's a handicap. You might want to get the book
"Solidworks for ACAD users". It helped a long time ACAD user at my work.
Still,, he was the last person to become productive with SW.


Regards

Mark

 

Solidworks does have some powerful tools for turning 2D drawings into
3D models. Tools include ways to superimpose views on one another and
clean up line-on-line conditions. However, as was mentioned, it is
not for the novice.

Also, most of the 2D Autocad drawings I've converted have someflaws
that make it difficult to produce accurate 3D models. This is usually
due to the Autocad drawing have inaccurate geometry or geometry that
is inconsistent between views, often because the Autocad user
"cheated" on his drawing. For that reason, never accept an Autocad
drawing as being geometrically accurate; always double-check.

 

I'm not sure of the conflict you speak of?? Yes SW will open DWG/DXF files
from AutoCAD (and other systems). There is no format change, SW reads
native DWG/DXF files. You can use these DWG/DXF files as sketches in your
SW models for building features. It works very well. If I ever have a
problem it's because the DWG/DXF saved from AutoCAD isn't fully closed and
SW likes fully closed sketches. You just need to find a way to patch the
hole(s). The best method I have found is to convert your DWG/DXF drawing in
AutoCAD to all polylines using the PEDIT command and choosing the JOIN
option. This connects any gaps autoCAD may have had. Import your sketch in
SW and it works perfectly (98% of the time).

I also was an AutoCAD user (still do on occasion). Here is an opinion,
forget about AutoCAD. SW and other 3D parametric modelers are truly the
future and where the next innovation lies. As far as I'm concerned AutoCAD
is 20 yr old tech and it's better left behind. 3D CAD will make you a more
valuable employee than 2D AutoCAD ever will.

 

There can be two types of data in a dwg file. Usually the data is 2D, but 3D
data can also be present. We will discuss 2D data.

In day to day use a SW user will either need to look at a 2D drawing or use
the 2D drawing in a 3D model. If you only need to look at the 2D drawing
then it can be imported directly into the SW drawing document or DWGEditor
can be used. DWGEditor is very much like ACAD.

If you need to put the 2D drawing into a 3D model, there are tools for
converting the 2D orthographic projection into a 3D model. From experience,
it is not infrequent to find that the 2D orthographic projection is wrong
in which case interpretation will have to take place. Nevertheless, a 2D
projection can be extruded, revolved and otherwise used as the basis for a
3D model in SW.

 

There is more than one way to convert your autocad drawings 2D to 3D method
can be helpful at times but definitely isn't a catch all and definitely
needs good understanding of SW.

What I use may times though is copy and paste from autocad. if you open
your part in AutoCad assuming you have AutoCad you can copy and paste
sketches. This is quite helpful for us for 2 reasons. Most of the models
that would require this method are sheetmetal so they only have one drawing
view "Flat Pattern" and also since our company uses CAM software the 2D
data is accurate 90% of the time. I always autodimension the sketch and
check it directly to the autocad dimensions. If they are different most of
the time a few minor adjustments will do the trick.

Good luck

Corey

 

Corey,

Yea,, all good ideas, But.....

I think Guido is wanting to use ACAD "instead" of the SW sketcher because he
understands it. This is a terrible way to use SW.

He's probably creating overly complex skectces with a bazillion lines and
arcs, and then attempts to constrain and dimension things after the fact. Of
course the geometry will jump around in unpredictable ways. After a few
dimensions, the sketch won't look anything like the original, and he gets
frustrated. This is what I went through with our resident hard-core ACAD
guy years ago.


Guido,,

If this describes you, keep the sketches simple. Dimension and constrain as
you go. Use features (fillets, holes) and additional sketch based features
for details.


Regards

Mark

 

ah yes, that would be quite a tragic way to use a parametric modeler. You
might a well build the solid in AutoCRUD and import it thru step. And that
would be more tragic yet.

Corey