obj or 3ds conversion to solidworks files

Hi, I have files in 3dstudio (.3ds) or object (.obj) files that i need
to import into Solidworks anyone know how or what software , I've
managed to use rhino to create vrml or stl files but have no control on
the part once created as i can't redimension to insert into my
assembly.

Thanks In advance.
Mo.

 

You could use File -> Open... command in SW 2007.

-h-

 

Very amusing
I use 2006 , is 2007 available? If so why is my reseller not letting me
know?

 

You are all making it more complicated than it has to be. Just save it
as a netural format

ie IGES, ACIS, STEP, Parasolid.

I would NOT recommend using STL or VRML because they are not as good at
translating back into SW. The information that you are using these for
is different than what you need it for in SW. The reason why you
couldn't do anything once you imported these formats was because you
had them coming in as "graphics bodies" adjust the options and you can
bring it in as surface or solids. but onces again I would NOT use these
to work with.

 

You are all making it more complicated than it has to be. Just save it
as a netural format

ie IGES, ACIS, STEP, Parasolid.

I would NOT recommend using STL or VRML because they are not as good at
translating back into SW. The information that you are using these for
is different than what you need it for in SW. The reason why you
couldn't do anything once you imported these formats was because you
had them coming in as "graphics bodies" adjust the options and you can
bring it in as surface or solids. but onces again I would NOT use these
to work with.

 

Well *YOU* are making it simpler than it *IS* ;-)

3DS cannot save to ACIS, STEP or Parasolid.
It does have an IGES export, but it is not at all compatible with the SW IGES
import. Anything with more than a few polygons will break.

There is a reason for this: 3DS is a polygonal based subdivision modeller. From a
technical standpoint this is a totally different approach than SW. 3DS has no
concept of bodies or solids, nor of bounding surfaces etc. All it knows is
polygonal meshes (well you can define a nurbs surface, but it gets triangulated
when exported anyway...)

So, with STEP, ACIS or Parasolid not available, and IGES badly broken, there is
only STL left.

Try to keep the polygon count down, and have the polys define closed volumes. If
you get the STL import to form solids in SW you can use the part as a prop, but
not as something to modify further.

Graphic bodies are not very useful, totally uneditable (cant even scale!) and they
suck performance wise. Maybe they have improved this for 2007 to be able to bring
in scanned parts...

/C

skrev:

 

Actually Chebaba, if *YOU* knew it all then there would be no reason
for any of us to do anything else but listen to you, but since you
don't Lets start with this shall we....

There is a way to get from 3DS to the above mentioned formats that
would make the transition that easy. I have done it for quite sometime
now. Check the link below and see for yourself. Then come back to me
and tell me what is and isn't possible. If only just to get the ACIS
format.

http://www.okino.com/conv/filefrmt.htm

Working with STL and VRML is Solidworks is just not a good option. The
program was just not built for it. Yes you can open it and work with
it, but bringing down the quality of the mesh loses alot of the
resolution that you might have to reconstruct back in SW and thats just
a pain.

The suggestion to upgrading your seats to SW Premium is not just some
"little chuck of change" just to get one or two options. If I dont need
some of those bells and the likes then it doesn't makes sense to spend
that much $$$ for it, if what I need is covered in what I have. The
cost of the plug in for 3Ds is WAAAAAAAAY cheaper than upgrade of SW.