How to import Solidworks model with features rather than as a body.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to import some Solidworks models into Fusion 360 and modify them. However, the parts load as bodies with no features that I can modify. I have been unable to do anything with these models but look at them. I am unable to select or modify anything. I do not have the time or inclination to reconstruct these models in Fusion. If I can not import and modify, then I'll have to go back to Solidworks. So far this software has been let down, very disappointed.

[ChristophUnbescheidt]

Hello!

first of all there is an english Fusion360 Forum here:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360/ct-p/1234
Second did you try to rightclick on your model and say create Fusion Design (in your File Browser)

Hope that helps you 😉

[Roman_Vesely]

Hi Vonissar,

thank you for the trying the Fusion 360, welcome ! 

Now back to your question. Unfortunately Fusion 360 & Solidworks aren't "synchronized" as you expected. Models from the Solidworks are imported after the Upload as bodies.

BUT in the Fusion is a tool called "Find Features"

It's a feature recognition tool so all recognized Features:

aren't features from the original model but you can edit them or Dissolve them if you aren't satisfied:

So no you could have your model and recognized Features.

Now you can continue in Direct modeling mode or enable "Capture Design History" modeling mode when you can making parametric models.

I hope this will help you.

 Regards

 Roman

[michallach81]

Can you tell me how Fusion could import features from other cad software??

 @Anonymous are you aware, that Sweep or Loft in Solidworks have different settings, and uses different algorithm to create surfaces/bodys? Even more, Solidworks uses Parasolid geometry kernel, where Fusion uses ASM kernel (kernel, build on ACIS kernel). What's the different, take a look at fillets/blends made on same geometry with 4 different kernels used:

To fulfill your request Autodesk should copy whole Solidworks code, and anything new should add on top of that...then let me ask, are serious???
Telling us that you're disappointed, you're showing how ignorant you are, and not having any respect to others hard work is rude and impertinent.

More modesty, please.

[Roman_Vesely]

Hi michallach81,

 well. Right now Fusion doesn't have a support for import features - for any CAD files.

For Inventor models we have in place an "automatic" feature recognition for all imported files. But some features aren't 100% covered (like threads).

Regards

 Roman

[michallach81]

Nevertheless, certain tools are different in various CADs, we can have feature recognition if features will act the same. I've made simple compare between loft in Onshape and Fusion. Those are same surfaces, same "smooth/match curvature" (G2) options enabled, but still different resault. Surfaces in the middle don't match... so what would happend if on those Lofts we would relay other features down the stream?

[Roman_Vesely]

Hi michallach81,

The result for "feature recognition" vs "Loft feature" is a different ... so it seems to be an issue probably. Thank you for reporting this.

Could you send me (to my Autodesk email: roman dot vesely at autodesk dot com or attach to the post) this design document, please ? I will send it to our modeling team for the future investigation. 

Thank you

 Roman

[michallach81]

Hi Roman, you didn't understand me. I'm not arguing about Feature Find in Fusion360, I was trying to explain why it's a stupid idea, to demand features to be imported from other CADs.

[Roman_Vesely]

I see.

 you are right. It would make sence if these CAD systems will have the same modeling kernel - which is unfortunately not our case.

Regards

 Roman

[jeff_strater]

@michallach81is correct - it is a huge technical challenge to try to do feature-level translation between parametric CAD systems.  And, it's not just the modeling kernel involved (althought is, indeed a big factor).  It's also the applications' data model and behavior.  All it takes for failure is one missing flag on one feature type.  If that feature happens to be in the first few features of your design, then the rest of the design is suspect.

To my knowledge, this has never been successfully done before in the industry.  Autodesk attempted it (Mechanical Desktop to Inventor), and that was same kernel, and even the same people who were working on both projects.  We got close, but nowhere near 100% success.

This also is why direct modeling systems have become popular in some industries.  You can edit an imported design without having the feature recipe.  This is why we've kept Fusion Direct Modeling as a choice for design type, and also why imported designs default to direct.

Jeff

[michallach81]

About post above I'didn't notice that I was logged in to my friend account, so I removed my anwser.

What I would like to say is, that I don't like when someone have enough nerve to say about his disappointment, and did not put any effort to get know some cad basics... pitty.

Just to make it clear, all I'm saying is just a rant, but if someone feels entitled to show his disrespect, then I'm equally entitled to express my opinion on that.

[Anonymous]

Hi @Roman_Vesely,

Now you can continue in Direct modeling mode or enable "Capture Design History" modeling mode when you can making parametric models.

As you pointed out, the "Find Features" tool only works when the design history is disabled. For me, after it finds some features, if I then enable design history, all of those are lost - the feature tree on the left just has the imported body and the timeline only has one item: the base feature from the import. Were you able to preserve editability of the recognized features after enabling the design history?

Thanks a lot,

Jeff

[Anonymous]

Hi @roman_vesely,

Now you can continue in Direct modeling mode or enable "Capture Design History" modeling mode when you can making parametric models.

As you pointed out, the "Find Features" tool only works when the design history is disabled. For me, after it finds some features, if I then enable design history, all of those are lost - the feature tree on the left just has the imported body and the timeline only has one item: the base feature from the import. Were you able to preserve editability of the recognized features after enabling the design history?

Thanks a lot,

Jeff

[Roman_Vesely]

Hi Jeff,

 once you have enabled "Capture Design History" you have created "Base Feature" in the Timeline. If you want to edit "features" which identified command "Find Features" before, you need to select "Base Feature" in the Timeline, do RMC and select Edit (or just do a double-click on it) :

 

All "Features" are available for editing:

 

That's all 🙂

Regards

 Roman