Converting AutoCad solids

[Surface]

A customer sent me a bunch of AutoCad Files (DWG). The files contain a dimentioned solid with a paperspace border.

I am able to open them using Voloveiw, however when they are converted into Mastercam, the part which I was able to see in Volo is not the part which opens in Mastercam.

I have tried using a combination of import options, but haven't had any success.

I can live with the fact that MC crashes when converting more than one file, however I cannot figure out what is happening here.

All levels are viewable.

I uploaded one file (7634-02.dwg) to the FTP and place it into the Files_to_be_converted_to_mc folder.

Any and all sugestions are welcome.

[Rekd™]

Autocad?

 

Solids?

 

[mayday]

Iv'e had a few Acad solids come in just fine and others do what your seeing. I dont know why.

Rekd, I know 2004 acad has solid extrution in it.quite easy to use

[Surface]

I haven't touched AutoCad in 20 years, however I am told that they are using Autocad. The file can be imported as a surface or a solid. I asked them if they could try a different format, but the export options, which I am told are available to them, are not surface-type files.

[iowajim62]

Surface,

 

I got one little square solid block in green.

Shows 10 levels only levels 1 and 2 have any entities.

The block has two .281 holes and it's size is 2.750 X 3.000 X 1.500 thick. The dims go from out in space somewhere. HTH

No alarms except asking if I want to erase temporary SAT, I said no and it came in.

HTH and let me know if you need posted back on the FTP as a MC9.

[Rekd™]

quote:

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Rekd, I know 2004 acad has solid extrution in it.quite easy to use

---

OIC. I always thought Acad only did surfaces. But if you can export solids, then I sit corrected.

[Surface]

iowajim, which version of MC are using. I am using mill 9.1mr105

[mayday]

quote:

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then I sit corrected. [big Grin]

---

it has standing up beat

[pip]

You have been able to do solids in ACAD since version 10.. I got the same results as iowajim62

[Mike Whitten CAD/CAM Contractors]

Surface,

 

Everything looks fairly normal to me. A basic part with 7 holes. 4 are countersunk.

 

I e-mailed you the file. If you do not get it and still want it, let me know.

 

HTH,

Mike

[RandleXX]

Autocad mechanical desktop files are a pain in the a** to convert with MC. I use Autodesk Inventor to convert to sat then open in MC. I wish autocad would just go away....

[iowajim62]

9.1SP2 Level 3 Sir,

all patches and updates and using 9.19 executable

[Greg Williams]

Surafce,

 

The best way to convert Acad solids is to have your customer save them as .SAT (ACIS on his menu) files

[Pete Rimkus from CNC Software Inc.]

One problem we have importing this file is our inability to properly import Solids which are defined as part of a Block Reference. If you open the part in AutoCAD, select the Solid, and right-click for Properties, it tells you it's a Block Reference with a translation vector. We currently can't handle this case - we lose the translation vector on import - therefore the Solid and the dimensions are nowhere near each other.

But...

If you use AutoCAD's Modify/Explode function, it'll remove the BR and you'll be left with a solid in that location. If you save the DWG file now, the dimensions and the solid will show up properly placed in Mastercam.

And the paper space border comes in, but it's blanked (at least by default).

We'll take a look at handling the Solids that are part of a Block Reference with a translation vector.