SOLIDWORKS: SolidPractices — Working with Imported 3D Data

A sample page from the document.

In 2021, my colleagues at CATI (now GoEngineer) and I were charged by SOLIDWORKS to work on two SolidPractices documents. These documents are official documentation from SOLIDWORKS to share freely with SOLIDWORKS users on subscription to provide guidance on particular topics.

This SolidPractices document covers working with imported 3D CAD data. I was able to provide input on topological problems with import and export as well as utilizing the then-relatively-new 3D Interconnect tool. 3D Interconnect allows SOLIDWORKS to directly translate BREP bodies created in other CAD kernels such as CATIA V5, Autodesk Inventor, PTC Pro/E, Solid Edge, and NX.

The 73 page paper covers a variety of situations in which we examine whether 3D Interconnect or traditional tools are the superior option, the limitations of each option, and the automated repair workflows involved. A copy of the paper is available here. No matter your CAD system, I encourage you to look through it, as the mechanisms are similar across BREP CAD

For my personal contributions, it is uncommon for members of the value-added-reseller (VAR) industry to know multiple CAD systems, let alone be proficient in them and to have started with a surface modeling design software (Rhino 3D). It is a joy to be able to help people understand how the software thinks in order to help them improve mastery and understand why the software behaves the way it does.