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DWG import crashes app. (by Nick Ray)
First of all thank you for a fantastic and simple 3D CAD system. As people say I have tried the rest now use the best !
I am a 67 year old HW engineer, system archiect and product developer who has always been used to sketching his mechanical parts and giving them to someone else. After I retired there is no one else so I wanted to start 3D design and printing. Solvespace is the only app that allowed me to create a reasonable model after 30mins. I tend to loose interest if I cant get a tool working witihn 30 mins.
I follwed one turorial and underatod the basics . Its incredibly intuitive , just like I would draw by hand.
I really wnat to import PCB designs from my PCB CAD system (DIPTRACE) which produces *.step files so that I can take the design further in SAolvespace as a multidiscipline product design and integrate the PCB with mechanical parts.
I converted the *.step file to *.dwg using ABviewer but when I import this Solvespace just crashes immediately. Which is strange because apart from this ts been very stable.
I tried with version 2.3 and version 3.0
how can I successefuly import my *.step designs so I can use them as assemblies.
I enclose a file I weas testing with.
Many thanks if anyone can help
Nick
I am a 67 year old HW engineer, system archiect and product developer who has always been used to sketching his mechanical parts and giving them to someone else. After I retired there is no one else so I wanted to start 3D design and printing. Solvespace is the only app that allowed me to create a reasonable model after 30mins. I tend to loose interest if I cant get a tool working witihn 30 mins.
I follwed one turorial and underatod the basics . Its incredibly intuitive , just like I would draw by hand.
I really wnat to import PCB designs from my PCB CAD system (DIPTRACE) which produces *.step files so that I can take the design further in SAolvespace as a multidiscipline product design and integrate the PCB with mechanical parts.
I converted the *.step file to *.dwg using ABviewer but when I import this Solvespace just crashes immediately. Which is strange because apart from this ts been very stable.
I tried with version 2.3 and version 3.0
how can I successefuly import my *.step designs so I can use them as assemblies.
I enclose a file I weas testing with.
Many thanks if anyone can help
Nick
The *.dwg file (by Nick Ray)
I am posting an extra file here as the forum only allows 1 attachment at a time. This is my *.dwg conversion of my *.step file.
Actuallyt this failed because the DWG file s over 10 MB whle the original step file is only 1.3 MB. Why is the DWG so big.
Nick
Actuallyt this failed because the DWG file s over 10 MB whle the original step file is only 1.3 MB. Why is the DWG so big.
Nick
(no subject) (by Tom)
Is it a STEP file with surfaces (a solid model)? SolveSpace can't import non-native solid models, just 2d, so maybe that's the problem if yes.
what a shame (by Nick Ray)
yes it is. Thats annoying. Is there any other way of converting step to native format so that I can make assemblies from foreing models.
(no subject) (by Paul)
If your Ecad can export an IDF file, you can link that in an assembly in version 3. Parts are not currently supported, but the bare PCB and mounting holes are.
I would not recommend building complex model on top of the board because it may break if you change the board. But taking measurements and checking fit in an assembly should work fine.
I would not recommend building complex model on top of the board because it may break if you change the board. But taking measurements and checking fit in an assembly should work fine.
(no subject) (by Nick Ray)
hello Paul, thanks for this answer. Unfortunately DIPTRACE doesnt have this capability, but I will contact them to see what they say.
let me just explain what I want to do do. I am experimenting with a new type of pcb modularity that can simplify system on Board designs for Makers and small busines that dont have the resources to make a full system design and layout. The concept is to have real functional modules (that may be a part in a hierachical design) that relate to the the overall system design instead of the many "maker" modules that exist which are really just a chip on a DIP pcb. Imagine in my case a network interface, a PSU, a CPU and an IO module which can all be mounted vertically on a simple 2 layer carrier board in order to build a complete system in a realtively small 3D space.
I would prefer to make the integration of this 3D system in a 3d modelling environment. Since the intercoonections between moduoles are relatively few it would be possible in the fuure to parse the net list in order to pull the asemblies into a design.
Solve space is the only 3D environment i have found that I really understand and feel comfortable with. Its a shame it cant import models.
Since the external connections and size of my modules are limited (20 x 10 mm) with between 10 and 20 connections , I am going to try drawing each one in Solvespace as a seperate assembly .. maybe without components.
I explained all this because maybe you have some ideas or you can see some future solvespace plans that may help me.
thanks
Nick
let me just explain what I want to do do. I am experimenting with a new type of pcb modularity that can simplify system on Board designs for Makers and small busines that dont have the resources to make a full system design and layout. The concept is to have real functional modules (that may be a part in a hierachical design) that relate to the the overall system design instead of the many "maker" modules that exist which are really just a chip on a DIP pcb. Imagine in my case a network interface, a PSU, a CPU and an IO module which can all be mounted vertically on a simple 2 layer carrier board in order to build a complete system in a realtively small 3D space.
I would prefer to make the integration of this 3D system in a 3d modelling environment. Since the intercoonections between moduoles are relatively few it would be possible in the fuure to parse the net list in order to pull the asemblies into a design.
Solve space is the only 3D environment i have found that I really understand and feel comfortable with. Its a shame it cant import models.
Since the external connections and size of my modules are limited (20 x 10 mm) with between 10 and 20 connections , I am going to try drawing each one in Solvespace as a seperate assembly .. maybe without components.
I explained all this because maybe you have some ideas or you can see some future solvespace plans that may help me.
thanks
Nick
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