Include sketch or cosmetics into a STEP export

[RobertH]

Does anybody know if it is possible to also export sketches or cosmetics into a STEP file?

I've tried several settings but it doesn't work. I've tried also ap214 and ap242 with "Datum", "Quilts", "Facets" and "Hidden entities" all checked but the export doesn't contain any of my Sketches, projected sketches, curves, or other 2D entities.

This would be nice because we can then use it for laser engraving on our laser cutting machine. Now we are using a small cutout and then in the laser cutting software someone is converting this cutting into a single line again.

[StephenW]

Yes. These are my export settings.

The system you are importing may likely need settings adjusted also.

[tbraxton]

To include datum curves, you need to configure the export profile to include datum entities (includes datum curves, points, axes, planes). In Creo, sketches are not datum curves so those would not be exported. It seems that you have tried this but are still not getting the desired entities. Confirm one or more of the entities in question is a curve in the native Creo file. If curves are not getting exported then something else is blocking it, perhaps layer settings.

You may need to use sketches to create datum curves prior to export.

[MartinHanak]

Suggestion: Please upload your model and describe what entity is not exported.

[RobertH]

Thanks for the answers!

I found out that it was not the export or settings but I was opening the STEP in Creo View and although all filters where off it did not show any sketches or datums entities but they where there,

Now find a way to improve the import in our laser cutting software in such a way the sketches are interpreted as engraving...

[KenFarley]

When I do actual engraving in Creo Manufacturing, I use Cosmetic Groove features that I've created in the model. I think (it's been years and years) I did this because it was the only feature type I could use, in the past. Maybe something to try? I found that when I exported to STEP for MasterCAM, these features were also available for engraving, too. And they definitely were laser cutter compatible - I had a part a vendor was cutting for us and they made a mistake and cut the part marking through the part instead of just on the surface. It looked cool, but the number "8", letter "B" etc. were big holes. Fortunately it wasn't in an area where it mattered, so our customer will never have any problem reading the part numbers if they need more.

I don't know if the "groove" has any special properties that make it "exportable" like this. Maybe the STEP exporter treats them differently...

[RobertH]

Discovered another thing. When you use the "Datums" checkmark in the STEP export settings then an axis is also exported as a line.

Is it possible not to export the axis but still export the sketches?

For me it is also strange that you have to check the "Datums" in order to export sketches, as for me a sketch is not a datum....

[pausob]

Note that if you have the configuration option intf2d_out_blanked_layers  set to NO, then items on hidden layers are not exported.

So then put your datums axes on a layer and hide this layer before export.

[anursingh]

Hi @RobertH,

I wanted to see if you got the help you needed.

If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. It will help other members who may have the same question.
Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please pursue the conversation. 

Thanks,
Anurag

[RobertH]

There is no real solution which is indirectly caused by the fact that sketches and cosmetic sketches are put under the Datum option which is a bit strange because in my opinion it is not related to datums. Turning the datum export on will also export the datum planes which become a sketch then, this is unwanted.

[pausob · Accepted solution]

I disagree with your statement that there is no real solution.  Please review the answers in this thread.

Seems to get what you need (export to STEP including sketched curves, but not including datum items such as axes, planes, etc):

1) Ensure configuration option intf2d_out_blanked_layers is set to NO (default)

2) Put the datum items that you do not want exported on a hidden layer.

3) Export with the "Datums" box checked:

[RobertH]

The problem is that all AXIS are also exported when checking the Datums option in the STEP export Profile Settings.

Setting the  intf2d_out_blanked_layers to NO gives an possible workaround but then I need explicitly hide ALLE axis in the model before exporting it. For one time only it's ok but I also want to use the STEP export settings in our worker and then it's 100% sure not everybody hides all axis before checking it in. Besides the manual action I found it not very logical that the Datums option in the STEP export Profile Settings als turns on and off the sketches (as for me sketches and datums are two complete different things). 

Left the original, right the STEP

[tbraxton]

You could take some time to define a mapkey (macro) that would execute all of the needed commands to prepare any model (layer assignments), set the config options, and export the STEP file using the desired profile. Once you have this set up you can execute the mapkey with the push of a button.

Terms of art matter in the context of a discourse relating to the use of the software. If we are all not using the same terms to describe elements of the software, then it makes it difficult to follow even a simple query about how to use Creo. It seems from this thread that you want to equate sketch curves (only accessible in sketcher) and datum curves. In Creo these are not equivalent.

The feature named "markings" visible in your model tree is a datum curve. Creo documentation clearly discloses what datum curves are.

Datum Curve

• A reference feature that exists independently in 3D space.

• Can be created from:

  • Sketched profiles

  • Equations (Cartesian or cylindrical)

  • Points or cross-sections

In Creo Parametric, the main datum features include datum planes, datum axes, datum points, datum coordinate systems, datum curves, and datum surfaces

[RobertH]

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@tbraxton wrote:

...It seems from this thread that you want to equate sketch curves (only accessible in sketcher) and datum curves...

Could be miscommunication but this is exactly what I do NOT want. The problem is that I have one checkmark that is related to this, the checkmark "Datums". This checkmark causes the sketches (sketch curves) are exported (this is what I want) but ALSO the datum axis are exported (this is NOT what I want). For me it would be more conveniënt that there is a checkmark "Sketches" to export only sketches, and a checkmark "Datums" that only exports datum planes and datum axis.

But still, if I'm wrong and I am not using the correct terms, this is exactly the closed mind PTC way of thinking, it's still not a reason for not looking at how to improve the software.

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[MartinHanak]

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@RobertH wrote:

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@tbraxton wrote:

...It seems from this thread that you want to equate sketch curves (only accessible in sketcher) and datum curves...

Could be miscommunication but this is exactly what I do NOT want. The problem is that I have one checkmark that is related to this, the checkmark "Datums". This checkmark causes the sketches (sketch curves) are exported (this is what I want) but ALSO the datum axis are exported (this is NOT what I want). For me it would be more conveniënt that there is a checkmark "Sketches" to export only sketches, and a checkmark "Datums" that only exports datum planes and datum axis.

But still, if I'm wrong and I am not using the correct terms, this is exactly the closed mind PTC way of thinking, it's still not a reason for not looking at how to improve the software.

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Hi,

I hope you understand that there is no point in continuing this discussion 😞 The only way to achieve the goal in Creo is to use layers.

INFO: Improvements to Creo functionality cannot be achieved through discussion. You can create an "enhancement", but PTC doesn't take that into account either.

[tbraxton]

I would encourage you to submit an idea for the functionality you would like to see. You can use this link to submit an idea.

Creo Parametric Ideas - PTC Community

I have had a few ideas implemented by PTC over the years, it is not easy to get enhancements implemented but you can start here by documenting the issue and use cases clearly and then getting users here to vote for the idea. I would also recommend sending the idea to the relevant PTCUser Technical Committee as well to get more visibility.

[RobertH]

Sorry for my frustration 🙂

Added tons if enhancement requests in the past 18 years, a very few of them are added/solved but most of them end with that they are closed due to inactivity (duh..) or closed because "works as intended".

Still appreciate the answers! And maybe I find the courage and time I give it a try again to post a new enhanchement request....