Is it normal AutoCAD can't not read *.SAT ACIS files?

Greetings;

I would like to import a few sketches into AutoCAD 2005 using *.SAT
format exporting from Solidworks 2005. I open an empty drawing
acad.dwt, import, *.sat and receive the message "unable to read *.sat"
file. Is this normal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Despite being based on the ACIS kernel, AutoDesk keeps AutoCAD several
versions behind the latest kernel release. Likelihood is that the
output from SolidWorks is a later version than is supported by AutoCAD
2005. In fact, it could easily be SEVERAL versions later. If there is
any way for you to get whomever output the ACIS files to you from
SolidWorks to change their default setting to an earlier version, you
may have good results in importing. If you can't get earlier versions
of the ACIS files, then I'll volunteer to translate them for you (as
long as there aren't too many of them). See my Web site for a valid
email address. Don't send me anything unless you ask first -- I have an
attachment limitation with my ISP. I can set up FTP for file transfer
if it's necessary.

Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
Watermark Design, LLC
www.h2omarkdesign.com

 

yes, because AC is a 2D program.. what do you wanna to do with complex
models in AC.. use Inventor or SWX or another real 3D CAX instead?

N.

 

Just to make you aware...

Autocad is NOT just for 2D any more (since release 13 and release 11
if you count the previous ill fated 3D kernal)

I work exclusively in Autocad or Autocad Mechanicl Desktop. I create
very complex 3D models. I also work some in Inventor and Solidworks.

I regularly import from and export to other CAD packages.

Autocad no longer uses the Acis kernal from Spatial Technologies
(Daussault?). Some time back they bought the rights to the kernal and
froze it. All modifications to the kernal (as far as Autodesk goes)
after that point were done at Autodesk.

If there was a version incompatibility in translation, the error
message would have indicated "Created by incompatible version".

There may be an error in the file.

The version of Acis (export) can however be set at time of export from
SolidWorks.

regards

jimB

******************************************
Jim Bannister
3Dthinking dot com
******************************************
to reply by email, REPLACE the "X's" in address with "M"

 

who wrotes this?

what I wanna express is, that AC is targeted to the 2D area by
Autodesk because it's a 2D CAD... nobody whoy needs prof. 3D modeling
will use it in our days.

just my 2 cents
N.

 

nobody whoy needs prof. 3D modeling

Ooops, better recall that last... oh wait, the meeting is done, the clients
are impressed. Darn. Maybe if I don't bill for it.

 

I had forgotten that this had occurred as described by Jim. It is,
nevertheless, still true that ouput from SolidWorks to an earlier
version of ACIS is likely to result in good data from an import. Jim B
stopped short of noting this. But as he indicated, AutoCAD should have
indicated the file was created by an incompatible version . . . except
that AutoCAD (like most CAD software) doesn't always perform as
advertised.

Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton

 

you probably need to bill a lot for it.. because you needed much more
time than you would have if using something capable..

...spooky clients 8<}

N.

P.S.: AD itself claims AC to be a 2D app, because of this they have
made somethig like MD and Inventor...

 

If you are literally attempting to export "sketches", then this
operation is failing because acis will not recognize 2-D data, only 3-D
entities.

 

Duh Jim...

S K E T C H E S!

of course it won't import.

that's what I get for responding to the subject line only.

smile

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