converting Mechanical Desktop Files to Solidworks

Discussion in 'AutoCAD' started by jimb, Jun 17, 2004.

  1. jimb

    jimb Guest

    Good Day,

    I am tasked with converting a number of Mechanical Desktop Files 6
    (assemblies and parts) to Solidworks (2003). I am not too familiar
    with Solidworks.

    I have been using the Solidworks MDT translator in Solidworks 2003
    with mixed results.

    Parts are translated relatively easily, but assemblies are difficult
    (Parts get lost). Solidworks and MDT have a tendency to either crash
    or lock-up.

    I was wondering if anyone had experince in this area and give me some
    hints as to where to look for the problems

    I suspect that the issue lies in search/working path and other program
    parameters. Some OS parameters my be involved also.

    TIA

    jimB
    ******************************************
    Jim Bannister
    3Dthinking dot com
    ******************************************
    to reply by email, REPLACE the "X's" in address with "M"
     
    jimb, Jun 17, 2004
    #1
  2. jimb

    Sporkman Guest

    Does MDT6 have an IGESOUT or ACISOUT option to export an entire
    assembly? If so, try that. Otherwise, I tend to agree that what you
    may be experiencing in SolidWorks is some confusion on the part of the
    program regarding directory structure. IF you have MDT parts in a
    number of different directories try putting them all in one directory
    and then using the translator.

    Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
    Watermark Design, LLC
    http://www.h2omarkdesign.com
     
    Sporkman, Jun 18, 2004
    #2
  3. jimb

    jimb Guest

    Mark,

    Thanks for the reply

    IGES and ACIS both work fine but the resultant is non-parametric parts

    SolidWorks in their infinate wisdom (and desire to be #1) has done
    wonders developing translators for other CAD packages. Mechanical
    Desktop is one of them. SolidWorks can open the parts/assemblies
    directly and all the parametrics and assembly mates come in.
    tried that no help but thanks for the suggestion.

    I think the main reason may be the tremendous strain on the machine's
    resources by having the two apps open and working at the same time.

    regards

    jimB
    ******************************************
    Jim Bannister
    3Dthinking dot com
    ******************************************
    to reply by email, REPLACE the "X's" in address with "M"
     
    jimb, Jun 18, 2004
    #3
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