topic exporting IGES file in AutoCAD Forum

exporting IGES file

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 08:35:26 GMT

Hello,

I have a Google sketch-up skp file and I want to convert it to IGES.

So I followed the following steps-

1) I exported this skp file as dxf from Sketch up-pro and then imported in AutoCAD 2015(because AutoCAD 2015 have export iges file option)

2) then this file opened as 2D wire frame automatically, so to make it solid I choose option conceptual.

3) then I did export it in iges form.

But the trouble is that this drawing is of metal part. And when I open this iges file in machine to make the metal part, the image opens with lots of lines on it which are not supposed to be on the design.

I also tried to smooth the surface of this part in AutoCAD using mesh-smooth option but still there was no change.

So please suggest me what should I do to avoid these extra lines.

I am attaching the dxf file with this post.

Re: exporting IGES file

Michiel.Valcke — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 09:33:55 GMT

which lines exactly are you talking about?

Re: exporting IGES file

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 13:01:06 GMT

In this post i am adding two jpge files. one is photo of lines coming over design and second one is the jpeg image exported from the sketchup for your understanding. In photo I have shown the lines by arrow. Please suggest me what should I do to avoid these lines.

Please help me with it. Waiting for your reply.

Re: exporting IGES file

john.vellek — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 18:18:43 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

In your step 2, changing the visual style to Conceptual does not change the objects to solids.

I tried to run SurfSculpt on your file but it failed. So, I tried to use Smooth to convert to mesh. This worked but exposed may non-watertight areas. I suggest that you re-investigate the model just in AutoCAD rather than trying to move from Sketchup to AutoCAD. The latest version of Sketchup should also let you save as a DWG. Does that improve the model quality at all?

Since your object is farily simple, I sugfgest requilding it. I started this process by placing faces on each of your objects. These I then converted to Surfaces. Once you have all the surfaces in place, you can Surfsculpt to get it to a solid.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: exporting IGES file

leeminardi — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 18:50:13 GMT

A few comments on your question.

I do not believe that Sketchup supports NURBS. What does this mean for you? Cylindrical surfaces, conic surfaces, and complex surfaces are not represented accurately enough for doing machining. For example, the cylindrical hole in the part you provided would is represented by 66 flat surfaces not a smooth cylindrical surface.
Even if Sketchup supported NURBS, DXF does not. NURBS surfaces are decomposed into flat patches in dxf.
IGES does support NURBS but garbage in, garbage out. That is, translating a tessellated (flat surface model) model from DXF to IGS will not make the end product smooth.
For this lack of NURBS support and other reasons I would not advise modeling a part to be machined with Sketchup. Use AutoCAD, Inventor or some other CAD product aimed at mechanical engineering use not an application aimed at architectural applications.

I agree with John Vellek’s recommendation to recreate the part in AutoCAD using the geometry you already have for referencing key dimensions.

~Lee