Converting Pro-E into Inventor

[Anonymous]

My apologies if this is a repost but I'm in a huge hurry. I'm faced with Inventor Vs. Pro-E. Let me explain...some of our designs are in Pro-E - let's say 30%. And many of our files are simple 2D AutoCAD. I'm evaluating to upgrade to Inventor and some of the folks are saying 'just by Pro-E'. Isn't is WAY more expensive? We presenty have 4 seats of Pro-E WIldfire 2.

I also need to know how well Inventor plays with Pro-E files. I've heard it will NOT import Wildfire 3 files. Correct? What import glitches and burps does Inventor have regarding Pro-E parts and assemblies? If I'm importing a Pro-E file, I'm probably not too concerned to modify it, just use it in 3D. Is editing/manipuation possible? I heard something about STEP conversion - but I have no idea what STEP is - I ned to learn!

Please ANY help asap would be great. Too much to explain but I'm in ned of some info quickly. Basically, how does Inventor handle Pro-E conversions? I thank you in advance!

Robert

[Anonymous]

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/translator_add-ins_for_autodesk_/

BUT, it will only import Pro-E files (and if I am not mistaken, it will NOT
support the WildFire series)

--
T. Ham
CAD Automation & Systems Administrator
CDS Engineering BV

HP xw4300 Workstation
Dual Pentium XEON 3.6 Ghz
4 GB SDRAM
NVIDIA QUADRO FX 3450/4000 SDI (Driver = 6.14.10.9185)
250 GB SEAGATE SATA Hard Disc
3Com Gigabit NIC

Windows XP Professional SP2
Autodesk Inventor Series 10 SP3a
Autodesk Inventor Suite 2008 SP1
--

[Anonymous]

And STEP is just a neutral format. All intelligence will be lost, the
part/assembly will be a 'dumb solid'.

But you can try to use this utility on the STEP files:
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/feature_recognition/

--
T. Ham
CAD Automation & Systems Administrator
CDS Engineering BV

HP xw4300 Workstation
Dual Pentium XEON 3.6 Ghz
4 GB SDRAM
NVIDIA QUADRO FX 3450/4000 SDI (Driver = 6.14.10.9185)
250 GB SEAGATE SATA Hard Disc
3Com Gigabit NIC

Windows XP Professional SP2
Autodesk Inventor Series 10 SP3a
Autodesk Inventor Suite 2008 SP1
--

[Anonymous]

I know this isn't a forum for ProE, but in simple terms, what's the difference in Pro-E Vs. Pro-E Wildfire? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I need to confirm if Inventor will import (in any way - conversion, STEP, etc.) a Pro-E Wildfire 2 or 3 .prt and .asm files. Can someone chime in? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

WF-3 is just the latest release of Pro. The WF series started a chnge to
simplify the Pro UI. Still a long way to go in my opinion.
The add-in willopen WF-3 prt and asm. Haven't tried any other Pro file
types.
Bear in mind, the import is a dumb solid.
There is also an addin for feature recognition that might be of use.

wrote in message news:5734831@discussion.autodesk.com...
I know this isn't a forum for ProE, but in simple terms, what's the
difference in Pro-E Vs. Pro-E Wildfire? Thank you.

[JDMather]

Yes

You might want to check out the market capitalization chart at http://www.daratech.com

[Anonymous]

Teun,

That is not correct. The new translator supports Pro/E Wildfire 2 and 3
only, at this time

--
Dennis Jeffrey, Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Autodesk Manufacturing Implementation Certified Expert.
260-399-6615
Instructor/Author/Sr. App Engr.
AIP 11SP3, AIP 2008 SP1, PcCillin AV
HP zv5000 AMD64 ( modified)
Geforce Go 440, Driver: .8185, 2GB RAM
XP Pro SP2, Windows Classic Theme
http://teknigroup.com
"Teun Ham (IV10 SP3 / IV2008 SP1)"
wrote in message news:5734828@discussion.autodesk.com...
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/translator_add-ins_for_autodesk_/

BUT, it will only import Pro-E files (and if I am not mistaken, it will NOT
support the WildFire series)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. What chart? THe one at the top of the front page?

[Anonymous]

Inventor 2008 with the free translation extension will import Wildfire 2 and
3 prt and asm files. It will also export .g(Pro/E) files to Pro/E

--
Dennis Jeffrey, Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Autodesk Manufacturing Implementation Certified Expert.
260-399-6615
Instructor/Author/Sr. App Engr.
AIP 11SP3, AIP 2008 SP1, PcCillin AV
HP zv5000 AMD64 ( modified)
Geforce Go 440, Driver: .8185, 2GB RAM
XP Pro SP2, Windows Classic Theme
http://teknigroup.com
wrote in message news:5734894@discussion.autodesk.com...
I need to confirm if Inventor will import (in any way - conversion, STEP,
etc.) a Pro-E Wildfire 2 or 3 .prt and .asm files. Can someone chime in?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My company uses Wildfire III and Inventor 2008. I can open a Wildfire III part with Inventor and use the Feature Recognition tool from Autodesk Labs to recognize all features. The end result is an intelligent part with a feature tree (not a step file). The feature recognition tool is a great first step but does have some problems with extremely ergonomic / organic shapes as well as compound fillets.

It works great for sheet metal parts.

Do not expect any software to import 100% perfect. You will have some issues but you will be able to resolve them. I recommend that you purchase Inventor 2008 but keep a seat of Pro around as a backup.

M

[Anonymous]

But is it a 'dumb' model? Can converted Pro-E data be manipulated / edited in Inventor?

[JDMather]

Uhmm, the middle link that says Market Cap, click on it.

Autodesk = AutoCAD, Inventor and other business
Dassault = Catia, SolidWorks and other business
PTC is Parametric Technologies = Pro/E and other business

[Anonymous]

All translators in every system that I know are "dumb" translators. However,
Elysium has a smart translator thsi is expensive, but will allow migration
from Pro to a feature based IV model. They also provide a service for
this...

Inventor also has a free Feature Recognition module for Inventor 11 and
2008, located at:

http://labs.autodesk.com, along with the Free translator module for IV2008.

Inventor also supports editing of dumb solids.

--
Dennis Jeffrey, Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Autodesk Manufacturing Implementation Certified Expert.
260-399-6615
Instructor/Author/Sr. App Engr.
AIP 11SP3, AIP 2008 SP1, PcCillin AV
HP zv5000 AMD64 ( modified)
Geforce Go 440, Driver: .8185, 2GB RAM
XP Pro SP2, Windows Classic Theme
http://teknigroup.com
wrote in message news:5734941@discussion.autodesk.com...
But is it a 'dumb' model? Can converted Pro-E data be manipulated / edited
in Inventor?

[Anonymous]

>It works great for sheet metal parts

Just want to clarify the feature recognition tool does not recognize sheet metal features (Flange, Cut across Bend, etc). However you are free to recognize non-sheet metal features(Extrude, Revolve, etc) on sheet metal parts. Thanks.

shekar

[swalton]

we run both ProE and IV as well. we pay about the same in maintenance costs and initial purchase for ProE and IV. Intralink is extra, but it works better than vault. ProE comes standard with network licenses, IV you pay extra.

[Anonymous]

Correct. Use it to recognize the features then convert to sheet metal. Works good.

[Anonymous]

That's good to hear!

--
T. Ham
CAD Automation & Systems Administrator
CDS Engineering BV

HP xw4300 Workstation
Dual Pentium XEON 3.6 Ghz
4 GB SDRAM
NVIDIA QUADRO FX 3450/4000 SDI (Driver = 6.14.10.9185)
250 GB SEAGATE SATA Hard Disc
3Com Gigabit NIC

Windows XP Professional SP2
Autodesk Inventor Series 10 SP3a
Autodesk Inventor Suite 2008 SP1
--