topic Re: SolidWorks Part imports as surface in Inventor Forum

SolidWorks Part imports as surface

ebuenrostro — Tue, 27 May 2025 19:11:36 GMT

The attached solid works part imports to inventor as surfaces only. I want to import it as a solid.

The vendor said that they're not exporting as a surface on SW. I'm not sure what else to do since I'm not familiar with SW.

Any suggestions?

Re: SolidWorks Part imports as surface

SMillsYS3X2 — Tue, 27 May 2025 19:31:58 GMT

Often happens when transferring data between CAD programs. Just have to knuckle down combine, knit, and thicken all those surfaces into solids. Or experiment with different import and export settings.

They are exporting it as IGES or Parasolid format? Those are the easiest to convert.

Re: SolidWorks Part imports as surface

johnsonshiue — Wed, 28 May 2025 23:16:23 GMT

Hi! Some of the faces on the SWX model were deliberately removed so that is no longer solid. I believe this is a shrink-wrapped assembly or it is like a derive-assembly part with some faces missing.

To turn it back to a solid is doable but very tedious. You may right-click on the Composite node -> Repair Bodies (or Copy to Construction environment). Next move the logical faces to a different group to restore the solid bodies individually. It is highly doable but it will take some time.

Many thanks!

Re: SolidWorks Part imports as surface

JDMather — Wed, 28 May 2025 01:29:29 GMT

@ebuenrostro

Why do you need as a solid?

Re: SolidWorks Part imports as surface

SharkDesign — Wed, 28 May 2025 06:37:59 GMT

As JD says, this part looks like a reference part, if you are not modifying it you should just be able to use it as a surface model?

Re: SolidWorks Part imports as surface

JDMather — Wed, 28 May 2025 11:56:33 GMT

...and if you do need to make modifications - concentrate on solidifying only those components that you need to edit.