iges vs step

[rclement]

was creating a ipn file and tweaking some components. when i chose some hardware i had down downloaded from iges format but saved to ipt . i got a message saying (and not exactly) that i couldnt tweak cause wasnt a solid body. but when i redowloaded but in step wasnt a problem.. why is there a difference in these formats.

[Cadmanto]

Both iges (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) and step (STandard  Exchange of Product data) are considered neutral formats.

The one difference is that step can sometimes include meta data like properties with their files.  That might be whats causing the difference you are seeing.

If this solved your issue please mark this posting "Accept as Solution".

Or if you like something that was said and it was helpful, Kudos are appreciated. Thanks!!!! 

     

[mcgyvr]

or one was just surfaces and the other included solid bodies 

Post the files.. 

[JDMather]

With either type - if all the information is there (and often even if it isn't) for creating solid bodies - they can be converted after opening.

This information is now a little out of date

http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/AU2008/ML205-1P%20Mather.pdf

[rclement]

HERE THEY ARE

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

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@rclement wrote:

HERE THEY ARE

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yep.. one is a composite/surface and one has solid bodies..

So read the document posted by JD.. 

[jtylerbc]

Nothing scientific about this, but in my experience IGES seems to have more of a tendency to import with surfaces either missing or unstitched than STEP does.  Either of those conditions could cause it to import as a surface model instead of a solid, which would lead to the problem you're seeing in the .ipn file.

It is likely that it would be possible to repair the IGES version by stitching the surface model back into a solid, or finding the missing surface and patching it.  However, either of those is probably going to take longer than just reimporting with a STEP file if one is readily available.

[JDMather]

One of the parts has true helical threads and the other is a Revolve that sort of looks like thread - but will not work as a threaded part (if your intention is to 3D print these).

The surface body part can easily be converted to Solid in the Construction Environment (or I assume in the Repair Environment as well).

If you want to follow the paper I linked earlier you will have to Enable the Construction Environment (Tools>Application Options>Part tab).

You might be able to find a selection of Options when opening that will automatically convert for you rather than going to the Construction or Repair environments.

[JDMather]

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@jtylerbc wrote:
  However, either of those is probably going to take longer than just reimporting with a STEP file if one is readily available.

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Be sure to use file that is actually a thread.

Here is image of the two files that were attached.

(I made some changes to disguise which one was correct.)