-> SOLIDWORKS tab

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-> SOLIDWORKS tab

CAD-Line > SOLIDWORKS tab

See also: Mass-Properties tab, DXF tab, STL Import tab, Display Options tab.

Use the CAD-Line > SOLIDWORKS tab to:

•Import a SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document  ( SOLIDWORKS refers to their CAD files as "documents" ).  onto a CAD-Line.

•Control the surface accuracy of the CAD-Solid* when you import it from SOLIDWORKS.

•Remove a SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document from a CAD-Line.

•Reopen a SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document in SOLIDWORKS that has been (previously) imported onto a CAD-Line.

•Rename the CAD-Line to the name of the active SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document.

* Cad-Solid is the name we use for a CAD model after you import onto a CAD-Line with the CAD-Line dialog.

CAD-Line dialog

SOLIDWORKS tab

CAD-Line dialog> SOLIDWORKS tab

CAD-Line dialog> SOLIDWORKS tab

Before you import a document from SolidWorks:

•Make sure the SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document you want to import is open and it is the active document in SOLIDWORKS.

•Make sure the SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document has a file-name.

•Usually, add a Coordinate-System feature to the SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document to align it with the CAD-Line.

•Usually, simplify the SOLIDWORKS document to reduce the complexity of the model.

Warning: The SOLIDWORKS Part/Assembly document does not import into MechDesigner if, in SOLIDWORKS, you use a Chinese Traditional font to name a Configuration.

Rename the Configuration with a Western font.

 Import from SOLIDWORKS 

CAD-Line dialog > SOLIDWORKS tab

CAD-Line dialog > SOLIDWORKS tab

STEP 1: Click the Read Red-14-2 button

WAIT until the:

•SolidWorks® Part/Assembly name (read-only) shows in box Red-14-4

•SolidWorks Configuration (read-only) shows in box Red-14-5

•Model Status (read-only) shows in box Red-14-6

Model Status:

Unavailable - before you import SolidWorks® document the first time.

Out of Date - the file in boxRed-14-4 is older than the current date/time.

Up to Date - the date/time of file in boxRed-14-4 is the equal to the date/time when imported.

STEP 2: If there is more than one Coordinate-System, select a Coordinate-System Red-14-8.

STEP 3: Click the Import Red-14-12 Button

Wait - a large model can take time to import.

Optional Buttons(Red-14-1bRed-14-3)

ButtonRed-14-1b : Remove the SolidWorks® document in box Red-14-4 from the CAD-Line

ButtonRed-14-3 : OPEN in SolidWorks® the SolidWorks® document in box Red-14-4 (that you have previously imported)

ButtonRed-14-11 : Rename CAD-Line to the file-name of the SolidWorks document in boxRed-14-4.

CAD-Solid File Quality Red-14-10a

◉ Fine: more vertices

◉ Coarse: fewer vertices

◉ Custom : you can edit:

•Linear DeviationRed-14-7: Maximum=0.5mm; Minimum=0.014mm - see Warning

•Angular DeviationRed-14-9: Maximum=30º; Minimum=0.4º - see Warning

Warning : The Number-of-Vertices increase rapidly as you reduce the Linear/Angular Deviation to give a large STL file. Large STL files make MechDesigner less responsive.

Also, the perceived quality of an STL file in the graphics-area may not improve as you reduce the Linear/Angular Deviation. Experiment! See: Edge Angle Limit.