Pro/ENGINEER FAQ 2009

There’s a lot of discussion on the Exploder about the config.pro option:

intf_in_use_template_models yes

Old hat says:

If you just want a one click import, fine.

Experience says you should probably do some setup and editing before using import geometry. Things like checking the accuracy and creating a meaningful geometry frame. Sometimes I re-export the data according to the new coordinate system.

Accuracy:

Old FAQ info (IGES Accuracy)
Possible clues at Delcam Support Forums (STEP Accuracy)

Don’t know if this info is that valuable – you decide:

CAx Implementor Forum
STEP at Wikepedia

Did you know that “hidden” parts will not be exported during IGES exports? Use the menu tree to hide components, and set “intf_out_blanked_entities” to “NO”. (default is “yes”)

It’s a quick and dirty way to protect your intellectual property or simplify models. There are other ways to remove components during export, but this is definitely “KISS”.

It’s always a good idea to check your export files by importing them before sending them to someone else. But, today, components were being scattered all over when I ran my checks.

I’m not sure why, but Pro/E had problems with something in my assembly. Of course, my assembly had just about everything nasty: imported parts, mirrored parts, merged parts, family tables, and default placements. No geom checks, though :)

EDIT: Did I mention mixed units? I really thought those days were behind us, but even Pro/E seems to have some problems with mixed units. And even if Pro/E converted units correctly on import, my customer’s software didn’t. Metric seems to be the default, so if you have a choice, convert to metric units – avoid the warning message “WARNING: Length unit set to INCH according to STEP data”.

Update: Sometimes it’s faster to export to a neutral file and then to STEP. Pro/E handles the units problem better with neutral files.

Moral of the story: Consistent units will give better results in import / export operations, especially when other CAD packages are involved.

By the way, I didn’t realize some other packages were still so primitive at importing assemblies. When I checked with our Unigraphics guy, he still imports components individually. Pro/E does a real nice job working through the file relationships.

And, since Pro/E opens .zip files for models, why can’t it open .zip files for IGES imports as well?

Here are a few PTC links:

How can the units of STEP and IGES files be Determined?

To Export a Part or Assembly to STEP

When Importing a STEP Assembly Into Pro/ENGINEER, all Components are Oriented to One Coordinate System. (Fixed WF2 M070)

While Saving a File Type as *.step of an Assembly by Using a Custom Co-ordinate System the Orientation of the Assembly Changes.

Suggested Technique for Analyzing a Pro/ENGINEER STEP file

About Configuring the Export to IGES and STEP