RE: copy a step file surface

jimboshieldo · ‎Mar 25, 2010

We received a step file of a surface that we would like to convert to ProE Surface. Is there an easy way to do this?

The surface is of an aircraft skin, partcial section, and hasseveral contours that we want to match exactly.

Thanks,

Jim Shields

Design Drafter Specialist

DRS C3 & Aviation Group

A Finmeccanica Company

767 Electronic Drive, Suite A

Horsham, Pa. 19044

215.242.7359

shields@drs-c3.com

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ptc-1932745 · ‎Mar 25, 2010

I may be missing the point, but what exactly is a 'ProE surface'?

I ask this because even using such features as ISDX to reverse engineer
the surface globally, you also need to match the surface curvature at
the surface extents. Using ISDX 'COS' (curves on surface) may help get
close to the imported surface.

Usually, surface definitions supplied (via STEP, or IGES) are of a seed
surface definition, followed by a 'trimming' feature to limit the extent
of the surface boundries. In some CAD systems (don't know about Import
Data Doctor) you can 'untrim' imported surfaces to get the full extent.
Then you can then try to reverse engineer the surface using boundry
curves, influencing curves, etc..., but to what end?

When I receive customer reference surfaces, I usually create a new pro-e
part file using these imported features. I can then copy, offset,
thicken, etc... the imported surfaces as needed.
Insert/Advanced/Surface free form... also works well on individual
surfaces.(not quilts)

Christopher Gosnell

TRIGON INC.
FPD Company
124 Hidden Valley Road
McMurray, PA 15317
PH: 724.941.5540
FX: 724.941.8322
www.fpdinc.com

ptc-726111 · ‎Mar 26, 2010

There is a variety of ways to do this. Having the AAX module will provide more options under "shared data" (copy/publish geometry, shrinkwrap, etc.)

As I do not have the AAX module (Advanced Assembly extension), one way is to use the copy tool (ctrl+c) where the faces of the solid body is copied (seed & boundary surface), then use the paste tool (ctrl+v) to paste the surface into the model tree. If you do this in the same part file, hide the solid body, but do not suppress it as they are linked. You can also create another part file and past the surface into the other part file. The two parts (solid body & copied surface) could be linked by an assembly.

In SolidWorks, I could use a delete face tool which would convert the Solid into a surface, then I replace the missing surface add knit (joint) them together. I think this can be done in Pro-E as well, but I have forgotten the exact terminology / technique for Pro-E. If it is an imported feature, I believe there are options to remove a face using heal geometry.

Chris

Pro-E WF 2.0 & 3.0

In Reply to jim shields:

We received a step file of a surface that we would like to convert to ProE Surface. Is there an easy way to do this?
The surface is of an aircraft skin, partcial section, and hasseveral contours that we want to match exactly.
Thanks,
Jim Shields
Design Drafter Specialist
DRS C3 & Aviation Group
A Finmeccanica Company
767 Electronic Drive, Suite A
Horsham, Pa. 19044
215.242.7359
shields@drs-c3.com