Solidworks to AutoCAD Conversion

3D Design Volume Model
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1

Hello

I am turning to you for a dilemma that presents itself to me despite having already gone through topics related to my problem.

First of all, to set the context and to make sure that the answers are in line with my means, I am working on SW 2014 Premium and AutoCAD Mechanical 2012 2D. No one in my company is trained in AutoCAD 3D, hence my visit here.

 

As part of a project, I have to set up a sheet metal stripping installation including a skid, a storage tank, a tank (where the sheet metal circulates) with its framework and all the skid/tank, skid/tank, skid/factory network and tank/factory network.

The customer asked us to model a piping skid in 3D (to see the congestion and validate maintenance accesses). The rest of the studies can be done in 2D under AutoCAD (and we want to do it this way for practical reasons since the civil engineering and building plans are in AutoCAD 2D).

Very easy until then, the matter is difficult for the final rendering which must be in AutoCAD format and what is more usable (by which I mean, without all the small segments or parasitic arcs that are found in AutoCAD) by the customer and the pipefitter.

Basically, to manipulate the skid converted in AutoCAD, I would like to have a layer for each network and a layer for the instrumentation.

Question 1: Is it possible to convert a 3D SW file to AutoCAD 3D? If so, how?

Question 2: Is it possible to obtain this 3D AutoCAD with all the networks coming out on their designated and usable layer to then make the skid/bac, skid/tank and skid/network networks?

 

I think I was clear in my explanation and my questions, but if not...

Rémi

2

Hello, very simple!!

-Download Dassault System's Draftsight (free)

-Convert your native Solidworks files to ACIS format (. SAT).

-Go to Draftsight, type "ACISIN" in the command line and open your .sat file (ACIS)

-Save it in .dwg format

"That's it!"

 

EDIT: I hadn't seen the second question, Under Draftsight, you can assign layers to your different parts, these same layers adapt to Autocad!! That's ;)

 

Cdt

Joss

2 Likes
3

I think we can do without the Draftsight passage:

export iges from SW, import into Mechanical (http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocadmep/fra/online-help/BLDSYS/2012/FRA/pages/WS1a9193826455f5ff-4e14fac512c3c6d4e7e-7eaf.htm)

I took the iges because I did it recently, it is possible that other formats will work

2 Likes
4

+1 @Joss ;)

5

Following your answers, for which I thank you, I tested both methods...

And DraftSight best meets my expectations.

However, when I open my file with DraftSight, all the edges appear (visible and hidden) and in my application, I would only like to have the visible edges (the clutter of the pipework in fact).

Is there a cure for this problem?

 

Rémi

6

I've gone through a few topics but I have the impression that the visibility of hidden edges is not an option in draftsight...

7

Ok, thank you for the time you took to answer me.

Either way, DraftSight is going to make my job a lot easier;)