I used to use Deep Exploration CAD Edition to convert models I was sent by clients. I've always found it a lot easier/faster to just get the models from a client & convert them myself than to try to walk an engineer through exporting a file.

Anyway, I was sent some SolidWorks files the other day - SLDASM and SLDPRT files. Deep Exploration is now owned by SAP and as far as I can tell, the price is now something like $5k or more.

I've used Autodesk Fusion 360 previously and it worked fine, but my Softimage subscription will end in a few days and I don't think I want to give Autodesk any more of my money.

I personally will not do business with Okino, so Polytrans is also out of the question.

So is there anything else on the market that's reasonably priced that can load and convert Solidworks files to something MOI can use?

Thanks!

Paul

I am a Modo-User, and Modo can open Solidworks parts/assemblys. With this plugin here : http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/products/modo/plugins/power-subd-nurbs/ you should be able to convert to MOI via 3dm/SAT/Igs. I don't own the plugin, so i don't have any clue how good it works. If it works, it should be the cheapest way to convert from Solidworks to MOI. You could ask some of the MODO-guys at the MODO-Forum : http://community.thefoundry.co.uk/discussion/forum.aspx?f=32

Hi Paul, SLDASM and SLDPRT are not very commonly supported formats outside of SolidWorks, so it's really best to ask the original sender to send some more common interchange format like STEP or IGES instead.

I'm not really aware of any good inexpensive solution for that. DataKit does have a translator here: http://www.datakit.com/en/cross_manager.php . They do not list a price for it so it may be expensive but you could ask them about it.

- Michael

Paul,
Rhino will open the files. Less expensive than some of those other packages; and at least you would have something that works in tandom with MoI. Just a thought.
Ron

3D Tool:

http://www.3d-tool.com/en_cad-viewer-formats.htm

There is a trial version:
http://www.3d-tool.com/en_cad-viewer-download.htm

Simlab.... not really sure about tje assemby format, but the main focus of the company is data exchange/interop.....

if you can post a couple samples, i would help you test... they have demo too...

Hi Burr,

Simlab tends to be NURBS in, Polygon out.

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Hey Paul,

Modo can natively open .SLDASM and .SLDPRT files.

The Plug-in that Dkron mentions, is a Sub-D to NURBS exporter.

The one that I was thinking of was Power Translators
http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/products/modo/plugins/power-translators/
You can choose to tessellate the solids or leave them as is.
You can import other formats as well.
It's a very well rounded CAD neutral importer(beta team), though I don't use it myself.

I have used DataKit for a few one off conversions and it didn't cost a dime.
Things may have changed since then. That was10 years ago.
I would assume that if you are going to be doing a lot of conversions, then you might want to look it.

SimLab Composer has a fair amount of CAD import formats, including .SLDASM
But as Danny said, the are no CAD neutral export formats.

What I would suggest is that you have the file sent to you in either STEP or IGES
I have found that MOI will open a IGES files that no other converter would.
I have used Deep Exploration, PolyTrans, Anark's Core Workstation, DataKit and a few others.

Be careful about the file size of the IGES file, as MOI is currently on a 32 bit application.
You may need to have the file broken up into a few parts.

That's my two cents worth.

Scott

3D Tool looks like it might be an option. It's pretty much in the same price range that Deep Exploration used to be in.

I've given up on asking engineers to do anything other than just give me their original files. It saves weeks of whining, complaining and headaches when I handle everything myself. Whenever I've asked an engineer to save a file in a format other than the original, it's as if I'd asked them to build a rocket to the moon out of cardboard and a Ronco Pocket Fisherman.

No offense to any engineers out there. ;-)

This ? ;)

+

=

Hi Paul,

I've just remembered Delcam, who develop Powershape, have a pay per translation service which maybe an option where you can just include the translation cost into the quote, it's about 50USD per translation.
This will save you having to purchase software just for translations and paying for updates or maintenance.

http://www.delcam-exchange.com/

~Danny~

@paulrus: Whenever I've asked an engineer to save a file in a format other than the original
it's as if I'd asked them to build a rocket to the moon out of cardboard and a Ronco Pocket Fisherman.


Totally agree...same situation here :)
Have a degree doesn't mean to be intelligent !
Please insist on save as STEP or SAT leave out IGES

M

@Scooter (DORMANTVISION): nope, Modo does not natively open sldprt ot sldasm . Both are nurbs formats while Modo is a poly / subd modeling app. It can read meshes (fe render meshes) made from those nurbs data.
So trying to use Modo as a nurbs format translator would be a VERY bad idea...

Przemas,

modo has been able to import SolidWorks files since at least v401
What I meant by "Native", was that the importer didn't require a plug-in.
I should have specified that upon import, SolidWorks files are tessellated.
Sorry about any confusion.

-s