Importing

I have downloaded the trial version of Nugraf to help me import 3DS models
into SW.

What is the best format to save?

I have tried IGES but when I import the model although it shows up as a mesh
onscreen I cannot apply any materials to it. When I render, it is as if the
model is not there.

How can I import 3DS files to SW? I dont want to change the model just need
to render the 3ds model next to my SW created model.

 

I've had better luck with STEP

 

The model won't render because you're not dealing with a solid . . .
you're dealing with surfaces. Can't apply materials for the same
reason. That's what typically occurs when you import 3DS files, even if
you use 3rd party software to translate. To get solids you'd have to be
very lucky, or the model would have to be very simple geometry, or you'd
have to do some patching work to have your surfaces enclose a volume
perfectly so that SolidWorks can create a solid from it. If you need to
patch you would be best advised to set the import options to "Do not
knit", so that you end up with individual surfaces instead of one big
imported surface. In patching you'll find that if it's one big surface
you'll have some pretty severe limitations in what you can do (for
example, you can't trim a surface to itself).

'Sporky'

 

Is there a way to add the surfaces to the model in Solidworks?

 

Huh?
You can always ADD surfaces to an imported model. In fact, you can
choose faces in a model and Offset (using zero as a distance) to
duplicate the faces with SolidWorks faces that can be edited. Is that
what you're asking?