Project: HiCAD Interfaces

3-D Interfaces

HiCAD supports 3-D formats as follows:

In connection with 3-D interfaces, please note the following:

• Parts in 3-D CAD formats (STEP, Iges, ...) to be inserted in HiCAD will be opened in a new drawing that will be automatically created especially for this purpose.
• When you save via the function 3-D formats (STEP...), HiCAD remembers the last saved file format (if it is a CADfix format) and offers it as the new default setting for the next export.
• The import and export default options for 3-D interfaces (STEP, Iges etc.) can be specified in the Configuration Editor (ISDConfigEditor.exe), at ... > Active configuration (Base configuration) > Interfaces > General 3-D interfaces by activating or deactivating the corresponding checkboxes. If any settings had been changed in the meantime, you can also use the Apply parameters from ConfigEditor option to load the settings from the Configuration Editor.
• Only 3-D elements will be read, i.e. no feature, no product data and no 2-D data.
• The following conditions need to be fulfilled, as HiCAD has high accuracy standards:

• All parts should have the same tolerance. Field tolerances will not be supported.
• The 3-D models you want to import should have a tolerance of 1/1000. Deviations by factor 10 can be tolerated if the test (see below) has been successful.
• Part names should have a maximum length of 32 characters.
• Freeform surfaces must not include self-intersections within the surface.

• If there are problems after reading the file, we recommend to perform a data structure check.

• You can accelerate data conversion by using appropriate Macros. For this you will need the Design Automation module.
• Use InterfaceLists to convert a number of files.

• When writing CATIA V5 files, a file with the extension CAT.PRODUCT will be created for the drawing and a file with the extension CAT.PARTwill be created for each part of the drawing. If you want to transfer the export file, you need to make sure that you actually transfer all relevant files. It is therefore recommended to create a separate folder for the export. CATIA import is supported from V4 to 4.2x, and from V5 to R23.
• When writing PRO/E files, files with the extension.g will be created for the drawing as well as for the individual parts of the drawing. If you want to transfer the export file, you need to make sure that you actually transfer all relevant .g files. It is therefore recommended to create a special folder for the export. PRO/E import is supported up to Wildfire 5 (contained in PTC Wildfire/CREO Version 2).

Hint:

An overview of all interfaces with additional information (e.g. supported versions etc.) can be found online under Product know-how > FAQ > HiCAD FAQ.

Load via other 2-D/3-D interfaces

Drawing > New/Open > Open > STEP, IGES, ....

With this function, the above-mentioned 3-D file formats can be opened. Besides these formats, the following file formats can be opened as well:

• ME10 files (*.mi)
• Technovision (*.gaf)
• MTA files (*.mta)
• CADENAS files (*.lst)
• IFC files (*.ifc)

Select the required file type. The according import parameters are displayed in the dialogue window. Which parameters are displayed depends on settings in the configuration management.

Alternatively, you can also reach these functions via the ISD button .

Save 3-D formats

Drawing > Save/Print > Save as > 3-D formats (Step, ...)

This function allows you to export the construction to the formats listed above. After calling the function, the corresponding export dialogue is displayed. At the top right, you can choose for all formats whether All parts (entire construction) or only a Selection list (selected parts) should be saved.

Select the desired file type. The corresponding export parameters are then displayed in the dialogue window.

Alternatively, you can also reach these functions via the ISD button .

Please consider the Settings for general 3-D interfaces in the configuration management.

Interfaces • Interface Lists • Macros