How to make imported 3D files associative

[CAD_73]

Is there a way to make imported AutoCAD 3D files associative?

[Mark Oostveen]

No, And yes. Depending on the geometry. A hole for example you can resize it and than the resize operation is associative, you can also move features change thickness etc. all associative. Also you can of course add operations by addin material or remove it. If something like that helps you, yes you can change and the change is associative.

Grz Mark

[CAD_73]

Thans for the reply, can someone give a step by step on how to import the CAD or AutoCAD file and in that way to keep it associative.

[Mark Oostveen]

Using TopSolid 7: Search YouTube "TopSolid 7 free shape ".

But please keep in mind you can't keep associativity. But you can bring it back in.

[CAD_73]

Thanks Mark for your help. I'm still a beginner

Todd send me the following hint by email:
Open AutoCAD file in TopSolid to convert it.
Then start sketch on the same coordinate system the CAD import is on.
Last use the insert function while in sketch mode and select the geometry from the CAD import.

Is this right? And if so, can you/someone give an example on how to bring the connection back?

[Mark Oostveen]

Ah OK so you are using TopSolid 6 seeing your discription. Did you contact Bemet concerning your question?? They have a pretty good support team. Just call them or didn't you closed a maintanence and support contract with them? They are your reseller isn't it?

Well, yes you can start a sketch, use the insert function and build your sketch by clicking origional geometry so it comes up in your sketch. Then put the dimention and constraines on it and done. You can use it for a 3D shape.

1) make sure you have the same CS active as the DXF is on, usualy after import the absolute CS. Use in the top buttons the CS with the small 0 and klick in the function bar on "absolute CS"
2) in the left hand menu, choose the second from the top : Sketch
3) start an empty sketch by clicking the traffic light, a green edge around the grafic area shows that you are in sketch mode
4) Select the geometry you need using the insert function. This is the Hammer in the Top button bar

Now the elements get transfered into your sketch. in orange, meaning not constrained.

5) Use from the sketch button bar the desired functions like dimensioning and constraining to contrain your sketch. Your sketch slowly becomes bleu, until fully constrained, all is bleu.
6) Close the sketch by using the checker flag at the end of the button bar.

Now use any desired function to make your shape, like extrude, revolve etc.

Now the shape is assosiative to the sketch which will change if you change one of its internal dimensions. Use the Steeringwheel and click your shape to let the sketch pop up again. Now use the Wrench to acces the sketch for modification. After modification use the steering wheel again to hide the sketch.

I hope not all is new, some things you should recognize from training?

Good luck.

Mark

[Onink]

I've tried this and it does work for a 2d cad file, but I can't add a parameter to a 3d solid, to change its size. Is there a way to add a parameter to a solid?

[Onink]

You can add constrains to an acad solid.
Here's how:
Open an acad 3d solid, then selct shape-->surfacic/boolean operations-->constraints and tolerances Select features (next to move)to deselect it (it should say face, sometimes its allready there). Then select a face-->ok-->select opposite face-->ok Then select wat you want to do, constrain or add parameter etc...

[CAD_73]

They are your reseller isn't it? I hope not all is new, some things you should recognize from training?

Thanks for your help Mark, sure going to try it soon.

And also thanks for the info about Bemet, good to know that they have a good helpdesk.

I’m still running demo at the moment, our company is going to start with TopSolid around April/may.

So I didn’t had any training yet. But I can’t wait, so less good English tutorials on YouTube. And I haven’t found a good book yet.

[Mark Oostveen]

Hi,

OK, so I can advice you to check the C:\Missler\V614\local\englishUS directory. There is a TopSolidQuickReference.pdf in which you can see the most important general function and behaviour of TopSolid.

Futhermore the documents I have I got due to the training. I'm not the wood specialist have had some training about it in the past but that's a long time ago.

I will see if I can find something for you.

Mark

[CAD_73]

Hi,

OK, so I can advice you to check the C:\Missler\V614\local\englishUS directory. There is a TopSolidQuickReference.pdf in which you can see the most important general function and behaviour of TopSolid.

I will see if I can find something for you.
Mark

Thanks for the Tip !