Uploading SW Stuff

billy2

I've spent the morning trying to get my layout out of SW and into Onshape.

I chronicled may steps, hopefully this link works:
link

My findings:
-create a document inside Onshape
-upload a multi-body SW part file into document
-delete the default elements Onshape creates on document create
-you end up with an assembly & a part studio

Now:
-how do you parameterize an imported body inside Onshape?
-don't know that's next on the agenda
-I've made this document public it's called "light layout2"

Background:
-all my assy's in SW are virtual with tons of multi-body parts
-I had to save this virtual assy into a part file and create a SW multi-body part
-nothing in my layout moves. The idea of moving components into an assembly and non-moving components into part studios is lost in this translation technique.

scott_harris

Bill... What are you planning to do with the uploaded models? When you say "parameterize", what exactly do you mean?

Scott

billy2

Instead of sitting here with calipers and measuring the parts or having the parts open in SW and flipping back and forth. I now have everything inside Onshape and can build parametric geometry using the imported bodies. I build it, you have to create a sketch, use an edge, break it's references, add dim's & constraints. The trick is to leave no references to the imported body. Can this be in Onshape?, don't know yet but I'm going to find out.

I do this a lot in SW. If you're given a model that's poorly built, it's faster to parasolids the geometry out and rebuild it. It sounds more difficult and time consuming than it really is. There's no thinking involved. It's how fast can you click.

If I can't get this down, I'll go back and toggling between the 2 systems to get the dimensions. This process is really painful.

If I had to get the geometry out of Onshape and back into SW, I'd do this approach.

Why do you have assemblies? motion between parts? maybe they should be called animations? just a thought.

scott_harris

Hi Bill,

Yes... In Onshape you can use your imported model directly as a base to create sketched using edges ("use" command in sketch). Measurement is done by simply selecting items and relevant dimensions show up in the lower left part of the frame.

Breaking the references may not be necessary since the import model remains as part of the data base. If you really want to break the references, it is a bit tedious. Turn on all of the sketch dimensions (by selecting "show constraints" in the sketch dialog) and select/delete them.

You can also use keep the imported model in a completely separate tab and use it just for measurement and inspiration. This means that you do not need to switch between systems just to inspect the model.

Assemblies currently just show motion and allow you to measure (though you need "select other" to select vertices, edges or faces). Eventually we will have the ability to create parts studios in the assembly context.

I hope this is helpful.

/Scott

mark_biasotti

Also noticed that Z is up in OS verses SW (Z is out) - would be Bruce to have an option on import or after the fact to change this

Mark

billy2

Yeah I noticed that also.

Isn't it funny that SW used y as up and defied everything we learned in grade school.

I'm concerned that the assy has no reference planes and the origin is hidden.

I joined this forum for 2 reasons:
1. I want to design in the assy
2. I want to easily insert a part into an assy

I don't think SW does either of these well and I'm hoping for some advancements in the technology. I understand the math to write these systems is bottom up (building parts & sticking them inside an assy), but good engineering layouts are top down (pre-cad design patterns, basically designing in an assy).

I've seen some of your other posts and it's great that we get to help define this next generation CAD system. I remember playing with SW95 when it 1st came out and believe this 1st cut of OS is far better than SW95. We have to give them time.

I'm rambling and have to get back work......