solid works (2003)

[jbrg]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what I need to open a solid works part model Using version 2003. I am still using V8.

I had to do it a few years ago when we got the last upgrade but I just cant remember how.

[cadcam]

You need to save the file as a say a Parasolid version 11 this will let you bring it in.

 

2003 SW is Parasolid kernal 14.

[jbrg]

This helps, however I would have to tell and expect 15 engineers to do this (not going to happen).Is there any other way to do this or am I just not reading you right.

[bavarian]

Yes I have version 8.11 and all my SW customers have upgraded and now I can't use their parasolid drawings, this sucks because they are so much smaller and import so nice. If there is any way to get them to export or some kinda jery rig that works I too would be interested, and don't say upgrade to V9 mastercam, I know that will work

[cadcam]

At this time the only way is to do the update.

try contacting your dealer so they can contact CNC to see if there is some kind of update they can do.

 

Sorry I know this does not help but this waht we have at this time.

[MACHINEMASTERG]

jay

 

i take it the sw2003.dll chook will not doit for v8 ???? i know it worked for9.0 ...and now with 9.1 its a direct conversion

 

[ 04-14-2003, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: MACHINEMASTERG ]

[jbrg]

Thanks to all.

I have just talked to someone at In-House and to make a long story short I have 2 options

 

1 upgrade to 9.1

 

2 Somehow get our engineering dept to understand why they have to save their files using the old 12.0 kernal.

[David S]

jbrg,

 

If you don't care much about "solids", ask your 15 engineers :" Iges files only". They should be willing to do that. (or not?)

[cadcam]

MACHINEMASTERG sorry the chhok is only good with 9.0.

[jbrg]

Mabey I have just never learned to use iges files properly but I dont like them. There is no real geometry it is all made up of splines with no real entities.It is okay if I am doing surface machining but if I wanted to squash it most of it disapears.

[MACHINEMASTERG]

i thinks its cheaper to upgrade than to get 15 engineers together to explain this plus and implement it... its better if they just save there work as usual insteed of converting back to v12 or iges and then you going to find it and convert it...insteed you just pull the same file (sldprt)that there using and go it works great for us everyones on the same page

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Here's the skinny. Software Improves. Features, functionality, and INTEROPERABILITY takes place at CURRENT VERSIONS!

 

With that said you have actually 3 options

1) Upgrade (Your BEST option)

2) Second Best option get your Engineers to give you a Version 12 Parasolid.

3) Get your engineers to export IGES files.

 

JM2C

[Mark Mossberg]

Solidworks has a release cycle of about nine months. Mastercams release cycle is about eighteen months. What this means is that the parasolid kernal versions will be incompatible for about half the life of any given release of Mastercam.

 

Another solution (that hasn't been mentioned) is to install Solidworks 2003 on your Mastercam box. If you have fewer than 25 seats, your probably not using network licensing. If this is the case just install it using one of your valid numbers.

 

Solidworks is "very" liberal about it's licensing. They "will" let you install an extra seat for translation purposes at no charge. If you need written authorization for your I.T. dept., contact Solidworks directly, not your VAR. Your VAR will probably try and sell you another seat.

 

Regards

 

Mark

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

---

Solidworks has a release cycle of about nine months. Mastercams release cycle is about eighteen months. What this means is that the parasolid kernal versions will be incompatible for about half the life of any given release of Mastercam.

---

Ummmmm, that's not accurate. You are assuming no releases in between Version releases which is ENTIRELY INACCURATE! Version 8, Version 8.1, Version 8.1.1 for example.

 

See, new Parasolid releases are not tied to Solidworks releases contrary to popular belief. Besides, Mastercam issues patches for Parasolid updates when necessary for the most part. Mastercam does NOT however, issue patches for outdated software nor should they IMO.

[gcode]

I don't see a problem here.

SolidWorks can export a parasolid from

Version 8 to 14.

Parasolids are better than *.sldprt for export to Mastercam anyway.

 

The sldprt extension outputs the Solidworks

origin and plane so you almost always have to

move your part around in Mastercam to get it oriented correctly in Mastercam space.

 

With the parasolid export you can define a cooridinate system in your SolidWorks file,

export as a parasolid with YOUR defined coordinate

system and the parasolid imports into Mastercam space just the way you want it.

 

Since I discovered this, I never export to Mastercam as a *.sldprt.

[Mark Mossberg]

James,

 

I'm talking about MAJOR releases 7.xx, 8.xx, 9.xx. Not incremental releases.

 

The times you have to pay $1350.00

 

The Parasolid version stays the same within each major release of Mastercam, 8.0 thru ver 8.1.1 = Parasolid ver.12, ver 9.0 thru ver 9.1 = Parasolid ver 14.1.

 

Solidworks changes at each major release too SW2001+ = Parasolid ver 13.1, SW2003 = ver 14.

 

Mastercam can only open a SW native file if it was generated in a release of SW that uses a kernal version equal too, or older, than the one in Mastercam. Otherwise you need a chook or something.

 

I always use Parasolid rather than opening the native file. Some people don't have that option.

 

I've been using Mastercam since 1989 (ver 3.1 for DOS). Over these many years, the average MAJOR release cycle has been about 18 months.

 

Regards

 

Mark