topic Re: Problem converting a step file to a solid in Inventor Forum

Problem converting a step file to a solid

jla9A94K — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 18:41:38 GMT

I have a step file that was downloaded from a vendor web site, that when imported creates a surface body... and I cannot seem to convert the surfaces to solids without spending a great deal of time.

I open/import the file... Its a gate valve MDC part # 307006, no other formats are available. I see that it is a mix of solids and surfaces.

When I try to show this part in a drawing only the solids show up... this right now is the primary problem.

When I use thicken I cannot select everything in one pick... It seems only adjacent surfaces can be selected (one at a time). Ideally I would thicken some small amount (like .010"), with the thickness going inward. Looks like there are 133 surfaces in this model... so if this is the only option it'll take some time.

I tried using repair bodies. It comes up with a pile of errors. The process to fix these errors is time consuming , so it's probably not worth the effort... Perhaps these errors are the reason I can't thicken with one click, but I have little control over that.

Whats the best way to proceed with a port like this?

Thanks,

Jess

Re: Problem converting a step file to a solid

jla9A94K — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 20:22:01 GMT

a solution was provided to me...

in the drawing: right click and select to include surfaces

It isn't perfect in that it does not fix the surface errors, however it does everything I need at the moment.

Re: Problem converting a step file to a solid

johnsonshiue — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 23:29:42 GMT

Hi! Does the STEP file contain a solid body or bodies? If yes, they should come in as solid bodies. Could you share the example here or send it to me directly (johnson.shiue@autodesk.com)? I would like to understand why the solid bodies are not coming in as solids.

Many thanks!

Re: Problem converting a step file to a solid

WHolzwarth — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 08:33:48 GMT

That's another one of many others, Johnson.

Multibodies from Solidworks are missing lots of tiny faces by default.

It's no Inventor issue.

Re: Problem converting a step file to a solid

jla9A94K — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:09:19 GMT

Just as shown above the file is surfaces and solids.

I tried to attach to attach the file, but I think the file size is too large (its about 5mb).

Thanks for the help!

The interesting thing about this file (and really its not unusual in terms of files that I download) is that it seems to import just fine... but actually it has some errors. The errors aren't a big deal from the designer perspective (in fact I really don't want to get bogged down with them)... what is a big deal is that the part defaults to being invisible in the drawing... The command to show surfaces is buried and you can only get to it in a really specific way... A designer is typically going to want part like this to display and if they don't they will simply turn off the visibility in the view representation. You see it in your model... but not in the drawing view, where typically your model view is the same as whats in the drawing view.

Re: Problem converting a step file to a solid

WHolzwarth — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 17:12:10 GMT

I think, Recovery Options will be the solution. See picture

And with some brain work - more than software does - you can get solids back from bad exports like that.