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Autodesk® DirectConnect 2014

User's Guide

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Contents

Chapter 1 What Is Autodesk DirectConnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Supported products and translators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Chapter 2 What's New in This Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5New Features in DirectConnect 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Improvements in DirectConnect 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Chapter 3 Installation and Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7DirectConnect and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 4 Translator Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Autodesk Inventor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10CATIA V4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12CATIA V5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14DWF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17DWG DXF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19IGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21JT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26NX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Open Inventor and Cosmo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Pro/ENGINEER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35SolidWorks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

vii

STEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39STL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41ZPR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Chapter 5 Locations of Imported Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Autodesk Alias Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Autodesk Maya Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Autodesk Showcase Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Autodesk Opticore Studio Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Chapter 6 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Glossary terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

ASM (.asm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49BSD license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49CATIA V4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49CATIA V5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49CGR (.cgr) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Cosmo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50CSB (.csb) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50DLV (.dlv) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50DRAW (DR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50DWF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50DWG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50DXF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50G (.g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Granite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50IAM (.iam) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50IGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50IPT (.ipt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51IV (.iv) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51JT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51N X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1Open Inventor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51PCRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Pro/ENGINEER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51PRT (.prt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51SLDASM (.sldasm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51SLDPRT (.sldprt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51SolidWorks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52SPACE (SP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52SPF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52STEP (.step) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52STL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52STP (.stp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

viii | Contents

V3Rx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52ZPR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Contents | ix

What Is Autodesk Direct-Connect

Autodesk® DirectConnect is a family of data translators. Each of these translatorsimports a specific CAD file format into one or more of the following Autodesk®

software products:■ Autodesk® Alias®

■ Autodesk® Maya®

■ Autodesk® Showcase®

■ Autodesk® Opticore® Studio

■ 3ds Max®/3ds Max® Design

The translators also export some CAD file formats from some products.

1

1

Supported products and translatorsImport to Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Maya,Autodesk Opticore Studio, 3ds Max, 3ds Max Design:

Apple® Mac OS® X® 10.7and 10.8, 64-bit

Windows® 7, 32- and 64-bit; Windows® 8, 64 bit

File Format

Not availableAutodesk Inventor (page 10)®

Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign

Not availableCATIA V4 (page 12)®

All versions + V3RX, .model files fromCATIA V5-6R2012

Not availableCATIA V5 (page 14)®

V5 R22 (V5-6R2012)

Not available in Show-case, Opticore Studio

DWG DXF (page 19)®

Up to V2014Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign

Not available in Show-case, Opticore Studio

IGES (page 21)V5.3

Not availableJT (page 26)Up to V9.5

Not availablePro/ENGINEER (page 35) and Creo ®

Up to Wildfire 5.0, and Granite 8.0,neutral (.neu)Creo, up to V2

2 | Chapter 1 What Is Autodesk DirectConnect


Windows® 7, 32- and 64-bit; Windows® 8, 64 bit

File Format

Not Available in Showcase

Not availableNX (page 28)® UG V13.0 to NX 8.5

Not availableOpen Inventor™ and Cosmo™_ (page33) All versionsNot available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign

Not availableSolidWorks (page 37)®(1) 2003-2013Must be licensed and running on theimport machine.

Not available in Showcase

SPFAlias (.wire)

Not available in Show-case, Opticore Studio.

STEP (page 39)AP214, AP203E2

Not available in Show-case, Opticore Studio.

STL (page 41) (Stereo-lithography)Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign

Export from: Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, 3ds MaxDesign:

Apple® Mac OS® X® 10.7 and10.8, 64-bit

Windows® 7, 32- and 64-bit; Windows® 8, 64-bit

File Format

DWG DXF (page 19) Real Dwg2013, Alias (.wire) only.

Supported products and translators | 3

Apple® Mac OS® X® 10.7 and10.8, 64-bit

Windows® 7, 32- and 64-bit; Windows® 8, 64-bit

File Format

Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign.

IGES (page 21)V5.3Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign.

Not availableNX (page 28)UG V15.0*, NX1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign.

SPFAlias (.wire)

STL (Stereo-lithography)Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign.

Not availableZPR (page 43)®

(ZPrint CAD for Rapid Prototyping)V1.2Not available in 3ds Max/3ds MaxDesign.

4 | Chapter 1 What Is Autodesk DirectConnect

What's New in This Re-lease

This section lists the new features and improvements in Autodesk® DirectConnect2014.

New Features in DirectConnect 2014Support is added for:■ Microsoft® Windows® 8, 64-bit.

2

5

■ Import of Alias displayables, such as space points and annotationleaders(locators of type annotate in .wire files).

■ New option in Pro/E importer -wantSurfaces. When turned off, the quiltobjects (representing bodies that are not solid) are ignored and notprocessed.

■ Alias 3DA export to IGES.

■ Converting Alias points to IGES.

■ Import of coordinate systems or locators from JT and NX translators.

Improvements in DirectConnect 2014■ CATIA V4 importer supports .model files created from CATIA V5-6R2012.

■ CATIA V5 importer supports V5 R22 (V5-6R2012) files.

■ JT■ Import of coordinate systems or locators from JT translators.

■ Import of user-defined and customized attributes and properties.

■ NX■ Import of coordinate systems or locators from NX translators.

■ Support is added for import of NX 8.5.

■ Parasolid■ Parasolid supports export of V 25.

■ Pro/ENGINEER■ Added support for import of Granite 8.0 files.

■ Added support for import of Pro/E neutral (.neu) files.

■ Added support for layers and colors in Pro/E import (.g, .neu, .prt, and.asm) translator.

■ SolidWorks■ Support is added for import of SolidWorks 2013.

6 | Chapter 2 What's New in This Release

Installation and Licenses

DirectConnect and InstallationAutodesk® DirectConnect software installs automatically when the followingAutodesk software is installed:■ Autodesk® Alias®

■ Autodesk® Maya®

■ Autodesk® Showcase®

■ 3ds Max®/3ds Max® Design

Autodesk DirectConnect software is provided on the media with Autodesk®

Opticore® Studio software, in the Autodesk DirectConnect 2014 folder. It requiresmanual installation.

For information about installing these software products, refer to their respectiveinstallation guides.

NOTE■ When installing DirectConnect, install the same version, such as 32-bit or

64-bit, as your Autodesk Opticore Studio.

■ DirectConnect Help is supported only on Microsoft® Internet Explorer®.Performance on other browsers does not provide consistent results.

3

7

Support platforms

Autodesk DirectConnect runs on the same platform as the Autodesk productit installs with:


Microsoft® Windows® 7, 32-and 64-bit; Windows® 8, 64-bit

Autodesk Software

Autodesk Alias

Autodesk Maya

Not availableAutodesk Showcase

Not availableAutodesk Opticore Studio

Not available3ds Max/3ds Max Design

System requirements

Autodesk DirectConnect requires the following amount of available disk space:■ Windows 7: 700 MB for 32-bit, and 900 MB for 64-bit

■ Windows 8: 900 MB for 64-bit

■ Mac OS X: 300 MB for 64-bit

DirectConnect installs with other products, so your system must alsoaccommodate the host product requirements. (For the system requirementsof the host product, consult the appropriate installation guide.)

8 | Chapter 3 Installation and Licenses

Translator Details 4

9

Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk® Inventor® is a 3D mechanical design, product simulation, toolingcreation, and design communication software.

Autodesk® DirectConnect supports the import of Autodesk Inventor part (*.ipt)and assembly (*.iam) files into the Autodesk® Alias®, Autodesk® Maya®,Autodesk® Showcase®, and Autodesk® Opticore® Studio software. Seeinstallation information in Install Autodesk DirectConnect. (page 7)

Import Autodesk Inventor files

1 Choose the menu path in your installed Autodesk software product:

File > Open or File > Import > FileAutodesk Alias

File > Open Scene or File > ImportAutodesk Maya (Windows version)

File > Import > Import FilesAutodesk Showcase

File > ImportAutodesk Opticore Studio

2 In the browser, select an Autodesk Inventor *.ipt or *.iam file.

10 | Chapter 4 Translator Details

3 Click OK, or Open to launch the translator and import the file.

NOTE To maintain the original positioning and orientation of part files inyour scene, import the assembly file. Importing part files before the assemblyfile positions all of them at the origin (0,0,0), and removes the originalpositioning.

Types of data imported

NURBS are imported, and the following information is maintained on import:■ Brep bodies

■ Data organization

■ Tolerances and units

■ Material colors and simple transparency

■ Weld maps (beads only)

■ Thread maps

■ Decals

For locating the imported data, see Locations of Imported Data (page 45).

Limitations

■ Work sources, display meshes, and some 2D/3D sketches are automaticallyexcluded when importing an Autodesk Inventor file.

■ Some cylindrical surfaces (pipes) do not trim properly.

Autodesk Inventor | 11

CATIA V4

CATIA® is computer-aided design software from Dassault Systèmes.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of CATIA V4 (all versions, plusV3RX Levels) into the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk OpticoreStudio, and 3ds Max®/3ds Max® Design software. The import includesgeometric sets, attributes, such as names, layers, RGB colors, and visibility,and the CATIA file types. See installation information in Install AutodeskDirectConnect. (page 7)

DirectConnect supports CATIA model and export files produced with CATIAV4.xx and earlier V3RX Levels, and .model files from CATIA V5-6R2012.

Import CATIA V4 files







Application Menu > Import > Select Fileto Import dialog

3ds Max/3dsMax Design

2 In the browser, select a CATIA V4 *.model, *.mdl, *.session, *.exp,*.dlv,*.dlv3, or .dlv4 file.

3 Click OK, or Open.

The translator launches automatically, and the file imports into thescene.

Types of SPACE (SP) entities supported for import

■ Point (Type 1)

■ Line (Type 2)

■ Parametric curve (Type 3)

■ Plane (Type 4)

■ Parametric surface (Type 5)

■ Face (Type 6)

■ Volume (Type 7)

■ Transformation (Type 9)

■ Edge (Type 12)

■ Circle (Type 20)

■ Ellipse (Type 21)

■ Parabola (Type 22)

■ Hyperbola (Type 23)

■ Polyhedral surface (Type 16)

■ Composite curve (Type 24)

■ Solids - Mockup (Type 17, secondary type 1)

■ Exact solid (Type 17, secondary type 2)

■ Space ditto (Type 28)

■ Parametric skin (Type 35)

CATIA V4 | 13

■ NURB curve (Type 46)

■ NURB surface (Type 47)

NOTE■ To locate this data in your Autodesk software, see Locations of Imported

Data (page 45).

■ For information about options in Alias for data importation, see theAutodesk Alias Help.

■ For definitions on these data types, consult your CATIA documentation.

CATIA V5

CATIA is computer-aided design software from Dassault Systèmes.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports import of CATIA V5 (R6-R22) files in theAutodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Opticore Studio,and 3ds Max/3ds Max Design software. See installation information in InstallAutodesk DirectConnect. (page 7)

Export of CATIA V5 Part files is available only in Alias (release 10 - 22).


Import CATIA V5 files








2 In the browser, select a CATIA V5 (*.CATProduct ,*.CATPart, or *.cgr)file.

3 Click OK, or Open to launch the translator and import the file into thescene.


We support the import of files from CATIA V5 releases V5 (R6-22), and thefollowing types of data:■ Point

■ Line

■ Arc

■ Ellipse

■ Parabola

■ Hyperbola

■ BSpline curve

■ Polynomial curve

■ Plane

■ Cylindrical surface

■ Conical surface

■ Spherical surface

CATIA V5 | 15

■ Toroidal surface

■ BSpline surface

■ Revolve surface

■ Ruled surface

■ Open body

■ Solid body

■ Layer

■ Geometric set

■ Part (from CATIA V5 release 6 and higher)

■ Product (from CATIA V5 release 6 and higher)

■ Attributes (RGB color, layer, name, visibility, and materials)

■ Per face color assignments

■ Cloud mesh data

■ Tessellated data

■ Weld data


Data (page 45).


■ For definitions about these data types, consult your CATIA documentation.

File formats referenced

The following are some of the file formats that can be referenced by CATIAV5 assembly files:■ .CATProduct

■ .CATPart

■ .model

■ .cgr

■ .stl


DWF

Design Web Format (DWF™) is a file format developed by Autodesk for Webviewing and printing.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the export of Autodesk Alias tessellatedmodel data to file in DWF(*.dwf) format up to version 2014, to view inAutodesk Design Review and Project Freewheel. See installation informationin Install Autodesk DirectConnect. (page 7)

NOTE For more information about software setup for Autodesk Alias, see theAutodesk Alias Help.

Export DWF files

1 In Autodesk Alias, select a file to be exported as a DWF, and click File

> Export > Active As , or File > Save As .

2 On the File Formats menu, select DWF (.dwf).

3 Set export options, and then click Save.

FunctionOption

When turned ON, exports curves.Export Curves

DWF | 17

FunctionOption

If an Alias layer has symmetry turned ON, this information andthe geometric objects resulting from symmetry can be mergedand converted, or left intact (unmerged) and converted.

Export Symmetry

When turned OFF, layer symmetry is not exported.

Fast Models triangulate quickly and less accurately.TessellatorAccurate Models triangulate slowly and more accurately.

■ Tolerance The amount a polygonal surface can deviatefrom the original NURBS surface. The default value is 0.01.

■ Limit Edge Length If selected, a Max edge length slidercontrols maximum size of the triangles. If unchecked, thereis no limit to the size of the triangles.

■ Max Edge Length The maximum length of any triangleedge (in current linear units).

Types of data exported

The DirectConnect translator for DWF exports only meshes. The Alias sceneDAG hierarchy is preserved. Associated color information is also exported.

NOTE For information about options in Alias for data importation, see the AutodeskAlias Help.


DWG DXF

The DWG and DXF® file types are drawing files and Drawing eXchange filesin the AutoCAD® software.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of AutoCAD (DWG and DXF)files into the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Showcase, and AutodeskOpticore Studio software. See installation information in Install AutodeskDirectConnect. (page 7)

Import DWG/DXF files



File > Open Scene or File > ImportAutodesk Maya


File > ImportAutodesk OpticoreStudio

2 Browse to, and select a DWG (.dwg) or DXF (.dxf) file.

DWG DXF | 19


Types of DWG and DXF data imported

■ Colors

■ Materials

■ Lines, arcs, and splines

■ Extruded curves

■ Extrusions

■ Layers

■ Meshes

■ Surfaces

■ Text

■ 3D solids

IMPORTANT■ Showcase does not support the AutoCAD material attribute Illumination.

Alias supports the AutoCAD material attribute Illumination; however,it is called Incandescence.

■ Showcase supports only 3D hierarchical data. It does not support 2Ddrawings.


Data (page 45).


■ With want curves set to ON, DWG and DXF both support curves andround-trip data export. If they do not come in, set want curves to ON.

Export DWG/DXF files (Autodesk Alias)

1 In your Autodesk software, choose File > Save As , or File > Export

> Active As .


2 On the File Formats menu, click DWG or DXF. For details about theavailable options, see the Help in the Autodesk software.

3 Select a DWG/DXF version, and click Save.

IGES

Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) is a file format for transferringgraphics data between CAD/CAM systems.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import and export of the neutral IGESV5.3 (*.iges or *.igs) format files in the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya(Windows version), Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Opticore Studio, and 3dsMax/3ds Max Design software. See installation information in Install AutodeskDirectConnect. (page 7)

NOTE For more information about software setup for Autodesk Alias, see theAutodesk Alias Help.

Import IGES files





IGES | 21




2 In the browser, select a native IGES V5.3 (*.iges or *.igs) file.


Export IGES files

1 In your Autodesk software, choose File > Save As, or File > Export >

Active As .

2 On the File Formats menu, click DWG or DXF. For details about theavailable options, see the Help in the Autodesk software.

3 Save to a native IGES V5.3(*.iges or *.igs) file.

Troubleshoot (Autodesk Alias)

If the files you import contain unsatisfactory data, change the following importoptions in Autodesk Alias:

Default Trim Curves Specifies the trim curves that the processor uses. Youcan select parameter space curves, model space curves, or use the flag that ispresent in the IGES file. By default, the preference flag in the IGES files is used.

Shrink Surface When turned ON, Alias detects trimmed surfaces with trimboundaries that are the same as, or isoparametric to, the natural boundariesof the untrimmed surface. It then converts these surfaces into Alias surfacesby shrinking the untrimmed surface to the trim boundaries.

When turned OFF, Alias converts all trimmed surfaces of this type to Aliastrimmed surfaces.


The DirectConnect for IGES translator imports ASCII format IGES files withor without linefeed characters at the end of each record. The software doesnot support Binary IGES files.


The software imports NURBS for this file format and maintains the followinginformation on import:■ Surfaces and curves

■ Data organization (groups, layers, visibility, and instances)

■ Units

■ Colors

NOTE■ For information about this data in your Autodesk software, see Locations

of Imported Data (page 1).


Identify IGES supported entities in log files

The following table shows IGES entities supported on import by DirectConnectfor IGES.

NOTE The input translator ignores any entities with an entity use flag value 02(Definition), except for entity use flag value with IGES Subfigure Definition entity(Type 308).

IGES EntityFormType

circular arc0100

composite curve0102

conic arc, ellipse, parabola, hyperbola0-3104

copious data1106

copious data2106

copious data11106

copious data12106

IGES | 23

IGES EntityFormType

closed area63106

plane0108

bounded plane+/- 1108

line0110

parametric curve0112

parametric surface0114

point0116

ruled surface0 - 1118

surface of revolution0120

tabulated cylinder0122

direction0123

transformation matrix0124

rational B-spline curve0-5126

rational B-spline surface0-9128

offset curve0130

offset surface0140

boundary entity0141


IGES EntityFormType

curve on surface0142

boundary surface0143

trimmed surface0144

Manifold Solid BRep Object (MSBO)-1,0,1186

plane surface (1)0,1190

right circular cylindrical surface0,1192

right circular conical surface0,1194

spherical surface0,1196

toroidal surface0,1198

subfigure definition0308

associativity instance7, 9402

singular subfigure instance0408

vertex list1502

edge list1504

loop0,1508

face1510

shell1,2514

IGES | 25

(1)For type 190, 0 means unparameterized surface and 1 parameterized. Theplane surface type is unbounded unless it is subordinate to another entity,such as the Bounded Surface Entity (type 143) or the Trimmed parametricSurface Entity (type 144), that references its bounding geometry.

IGES levels

The system adds all supported geometric IGES entities that are associated withIGES level <n> to an Alias layer called LEVEL<n>.

For example, if a 126 B-spline entity directory entry indicates that it is on level42, then it is added as Layer LEVEL42.

JT

The JT Open Program develops and supports the DirectModel format JT forthe visualization of 3D models.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of JT (up to V9.5) files into theAutodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Opticore Studio,and 3ds Max/3ds Max Design software. See installation information in InstallAutodesk DirectConnect. (page 7)

Import JT files



File > Open Scene or File > ImportAutodesk Maya




Application Menu > Import > Select File toImport dialog


2 In the browser, select a (*.jt) file.


Type of data imported

The software maintains the following information when importing JT files:■ Precise geometric data conversion

■ Data organization (parent and child hierarchal data, visibility, andinstances)

■ Units

■ Levels of detail (degrees of tessellation)

■ Materials (brightness (shininess), ambient color, specular color, diffusecolor, and emission color)

■ Textures (embedded image files)

■ XT BRep and JT BRep topology

■ Coordinate systems or locators

■ User defined and customized attributes and properties


Data (page 1).

■ For Information about Alias options for data importation, see the AutodeskAlias Help.

Limitations

■ Import options are not available.

JT | 27

■ The software automatically excludes curve geometry and animation whenimporting a JT file.

NX

NX® is a solid modeling package based on the Parasolid kernel. The packagecontains many (mostly optional) modules, for example CAD, CAM, CAE, sheetmetal applications, knowledge bases, quality control, and rapid prototyping.The file structure is binary.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of NX files (UG V13.0 throughNX 8.5) into the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Showcase, AutodeskOpticore Studio, and 3ds Max/3ds Max Design software. It supports the exportof NX UG15.0*, NX 1.0, NX 3.0, NX 5.0 and NX 7.0

See installation information in the Install_DirectConnect.pdf document on theinstallation CD.

Import NX files









2 In the browser, select an NX (version UG V13.0 to NX 8.5) part orassembly*.prt file.

For information about import options in Alias, see the Autodesk AliasHelp.


Export NX files - Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya

1 In your installed Autodesk software, choose the menu path:

File > Save As or File > Export > Active AsAutodesk Alias

File > Export all or File > Export Selection Autodesk Maya

2 In Alias, on the File Formats menu, click NX.

3 In Maya, the file type is UG_DCE.

4 For options, see the Help in the Autodesk software.

5 Click Save.

See the Alias documentation for details about building a model for maximumcompatibility between NX and Alias.

Supported Alias geometry types for export to NX

The translator does not support non-geometry entities, such as lights, cameras,textures, windows, and animations. The numbers in the table entries refer toNotes for NX entities following the table.

NX EntityAlias Entity

BcurveConic (ellipse/hyperbola/parabola)

NX | 29

NX EntityAlias Entity

CurveConic

CircleCircle

LineLine

BCurveCurve

BSurface (1), (2)Surface

Face (1), (2)Trimmed Surface

Bsurface (1), (2)Plane

Colour Attribute (3)Shader

Sheet BodyShell (Open)

Solid BodyShell (Closed)

Layer (4)Layer

CategoryCategory

Notes for NX entities

(1) NX cannot have free-standing surfaces, so it maps all surfaces to faceswhich must be attached to a sheet body.

(2) Splits appear in surfaces that have internal discontinuities at thediscontinuities.

(3) Mapped as a Display Attribute of the mapped surface or shell.

(4) Layer name is not mapped.


Supported Alias NX entities for Alias import

Alias EntityNX Entity Objects

SurfaceBSurface

SurfaceBounded Plane

SurfaceCylindrical Surface

SurfaceConical Surface

SurfaceTabulated Cylinder

SurfaceRules Surface

SurfaceBlended Face Surface

SurfaceSurface of Revolution

SurfaceOffset Surface

SurfaceSculptured Surface

CurveBCurve

Line (Curve)Line

CurveBcurve

Point (Curve) (1)Point

Shell (Open) (2)Sheet Body

Groups/Instance (3)Assembly

LayerLayer

NX | 31

Alias EntityNX Entity Objects

CategoryCategory

Space pointsSpace points

annotation leaders (locators of type annpotate in.wire files)

annotation leaders (locators of type annpotate in.wire files)

Notes for Alias NX (object) entities

(1) An NX point converts to a degree 1 curve composed of two coincidentpoints. On export to NX, this construction converts back to an NX point.

(2) If the sheet body only points to one face, then Alias converts the face toa trimmed surface.

(3) This is a one-way mapping. Assemblies cannot be exported.

(4 ) Added as blind data. Can be re-exported.


We support the import of the following types of NX geometry, and attributessuch as name, color, layer, and visibility.■ Point

■ Line

■ BCurve

■ Circle

■ Ellipse

■ Parabola

■ Hyperbola

■ Surface Parameter Curve

■ Trimmed Curve

■ Intersection Curve

■ BSurface

■ Planar Surface

■ Spherical Surface

■ Cylindrical Surface


■ Conical Surface

■ Surface of Revolution

■ Spun Surface

■ Offset Surface

■ Ruled Surface

■ Swept Surface

■ Toroidal Surface

■ Blended Edge Surface

■ Blended Bound Surface

■ Facet

■ Sheet Body

■ Solid Body

■ Part

■ Instance

■ Assembly

■ Category

■ Coordinate systems or locators

Open Inventor and Cosmo

Open Inventor™ is a 3D file format from Silicon Graphics Inc., with no relationto Autodesk Inventor software.

Open Inventor and Cosmo | 33

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of Open Inventor ASCII or binary(*.iv) files, or Cosmo 3D™scene binary (*.csb) files into the Autodesk Alias,Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Showcase, and Autodesk Opticore Studio software.See installation information in Install Autodesk DirectConnect. (page 7).

Import Open Inventor or Cosmo files






2 Browse to and select an Open Inventor (*.iv) or Cosmo (*.csb) file.

3 Click OK, or Open.

The translator launches and imports the file.


The software imports polygons and NURBS for these file formats, and maintainsthe following information on import:■ Data organization (parent, child, and groups)

■ Units

■ Materials

■ Textures

■ Polygonal Shapes

■ Transformation nodes

NOTE To locate this data in your Autodesk software, see Locations of ImportedData (page 45).

Limitations

When importing Open Inventor files, the system automatically excludes lines,cameras, lights, manipulators, tolerances, and animation.


Pro/ENGINEER

Pro/ENGINEER® is a computer-aided design software application.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of Pro/ENGINEER (Wildfire® R5or lower) and Creo (up to V2) part, assembly, or PTC® Granite® (Release 8 orlower) files (*.prt, *.asm, *.g, *neu) into the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya,Autodesk Opticore Studio, and 3ds Max/3ds Max Design software. Seeinstallation information in Install Autodesk DirectConnect. (page 7)

NOTE For information about additional software setup for Autodesk Alias, see theAutodesk Alias Help.

Import Pro/ENGINEER files





Pro/ENGINEER | 35




2 Select a Pro/ENGINEER part(*.prt), assembly (*.asm), Granite (*.g)), orneutral (.neu) file.


NOTE To maintain the original positioning and orientation of part files inyour scene, import the assembly file. Importing part files before the assemblyfile positions all of them at the origin (0,0,0) and removes the originalpositioning.


The software imports NURBS for this file format and maintains the followingdata on import:■ Precise geometric surface and topology information



■ Layers and colors


Data (page 45).


Limitations

■ The software changes node names based on geometry, assembly, or partnames.

■ When importing a Pro/ENGINEER file, the software automatically excludesconstruction history, lines, and animation.

■ Granite does not support layers or curves.


SolidWorks

SolidWorks® is a computer-aided design software application.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of SolidWorks part *.sldprt andassembly *.sldasm files into the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya, AutodeskShowcase, Autodesk Opticore Studio, and 3ds Max/3ds Max Design software.

NOTE For information about additional software setup for Autodesk Alias, pleasesee the Autodesk Alias Data Transfer reference book and the Autodesk Alias Help.

Import SolidWorks files

NOTE

Before you can import SolidWorks files, purchase, install, and licenseSolidWorks 2005 through 2013 on the same machine, and have it running.See installation information in Install Autodesk DirectConnect. (page 7)






SolidWorks | 37



2 Select a SolidWorks part (*.sldprt) or assembly *.sldasm file. If you cannotsee the files, start the SolidWorks software, minimize its window, andthen try again to open the files.


NOTE To maintain the original positioning and orientation of part files inyour scene, import the assembly file. Importing part files before the assemblyfile positions all of them at the origin (0,0,0) and removes the originalpositioning.


The software imports NURBS for this file format and maintains the followinginformation on import:■ Precise geometric surface and topology information


■ Tolerances and unit

■ Colors


Data (page 45).

■ For information about Alias options for data importation, see the AutodeskAlias Help.

Limitations

When importing SolidWorks files, the software automatically excludesconstruction history, lines, and animation.


STEP

Standard for the Exchange of Product Data (STEP) is an ISO standard exchangeformat that multiple programs can recognize. It is used for transferring graphicsdata between CAD/CAM systems.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of STEP (*.stp or *.step) files intothe Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk OpticoreStudio, and 3ds Max/3ds Max Design software. See installation informationin Install Autodesk DirectConnect (page 7).

Import STEP files






STEP | 39



2 In the browser, select a native STEP (*.stp or *.step) file.



The software imports NURBS for this file format and maintains the followinginformation on import:■ Precise geometric surface and topology information (ISO 10303:42)

■ Data organization (layers)


■ Colors


Data (page 45).

■ For information about Alias options for data importation, see the AutodeskAlias Help.

Export STEP files

To export STEP files from the CAD software, use AP203 or AP214 specifications.


STL

STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by3D Systems. Multiple software packages support the STL file format.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import of STL files into the AutodeskAlias, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Showcase, and Autodesk Opticore Studiosoftware, and the export of STL files from the Autodesk Alias and AutodeskMaya software. See installation information in Install Autodesk DirectConnect.(page 7).

Import STL files






2 In the browser, select a native .stl (Stereolithography) file.

STL | 41


Type of files imported

We support ASCII and binary STL (color STL) files.

NOTE To locate this data in your Autodesk software, see Locations of ImportedData (page 45).

Export STL files

1 In your Autodesk software, choose the appropriate menu item:

File > Export > Rapid PrototypeAutodesk Alias

File > Export All or File > Export Se-

lection

Autodesk Maya (Windows version)

2 In Maya, the file type is STL_DCE, and you can specify the file type aseither ASCII or binary.

Click OK.

In Alias, on the File Format menu, click STL. You can also specifytolerance levels used in the export of the file.

3 Pick the meshes or shell to export, then click Accept.

4 Adjust settings, if necessary, and click Update.

5 Click Accept.

6 In the Object name box (Windows), or Save As box (Mac), enter aname for the file, and click Save.


ZPR

ZPrint CAD format (ZPR™) is a proprietary file format developed by ZCorporation® and used with ZPrint and ZEdit for printing on high definitioncolor 3D printers.

Autodesk DirectConnect supports the export of ZPR (*.zpr) files to use in theAutodesk rapid prototyping solution in the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya,Autodesk Showcase, and Autodesk Opticore Studio software. See installationinformation in Install Autodesk DirectConnect. (page 7)

Export ZPR files using the output command

1 Select a file to export as a ZPR file.

2 Choose File > Export > Rapid Prototype.

3 On the File Format menu, click ZPR (.zpr).

ZPR | 43

Depending on the entity selected for export, such as a shell, additionalsetup can be required. For information about additional setup options,see the Autodesk Alias Help.

4 Pick the meshes or shell to export, then click Accept.

5 Adjust settings, if necessary, and click Update.

6 Click Accept.

Types of data exported for ZPR

■ Triangle meshes with simple colors.

■ Textures for use with ZEdit and Zprint software for rapid prototyping.


Locations of ImportedData

Autodesk Alias Data

Colors (Shaders)Tolerances and UnitsData Organization

Colors are visible in the Render >Multi-lister > Shaders window.

View unit settings at Prefer-ences > Construction Op-tions.

Parts and assembly informationdisplays in the Windows > Inform-ation > Layer Categories win-dow.

For information about these settings, menu items, and options, see theAutodesk® Alias® Help.

5

45

Autodesk Maya Data


Colors are imported as shaders andare visible at Window > Render-ing Editors > Hypershade.

View unit settings at Window >Settings/Preferences > Prefer-ences > Settings.Change the Working Units andTolerance settings.

To view layer information, display theLayer Editor: click Display > UI Ele-ments > Channel Box/Layer Edit-orordisplay the Relationship Editor: clickWindow > Relationship Editors >Display Layers.To view assembly definition and as-sembly reference nodes, see Window> Outliner or the node AttributeEditor.

For more information about these settings and menu items, see the Autodesk®

Maya® Help.

Autodesk Showcase Data


Colors import as materials, and arevisible from Appearance > Mater-ial Properties.

Change unit settings in the ImportStatus window (File > Import >Import Status Window). Formore information, see the Showcasedocumentation.

View Layers, parts, and assemblyhierarchies in the Organizer window(Edit > Organizer).This window shows the original filehierarchy. You can create your own

Change tessellation quality in theImport Status window. For more

arrangements of objects. You canview and change the state of ob-jects to visible, hidden, or deleted. information, see the Showcase doc-

umentation.To adjust the Level of Detail (LOD)for models imported into Showcase,click File > Settings > Perform-ance and Quality. To set Show-case to determine LOD, selectAutomatic quality control.

46 | Chapter 5 Locations of Imported Data


To have more control, select Lockdisplay quality to, and adjust theslider for LOD.

For more information about these settings and menu items, see the Autodesk®

Showcase® Help.

Autodesk Opticore Studio Data


Colors can be shaders or appear-ances. In the Scene Graph Editor,

There are no units in Studio. All im-ported data is considered the same

View the node structure in theScene Graph Editor, in the Win-

in scenegraph, all colors are visibleunit. Set tolerances for tessellationdow > Scene Graph Editormenu. It opens by default. in the appearance field of a shape

node. Appearances are visible onlyin the File > Preferences dialog-box, GeomX tab.

NOTE GeomX is not available untilyou load the GeomX module in theModules tab (in the same dialogbox) and restart Studio.

in the Scene Graph Editor. Shadersare visible in both the Scene GraphEditor and through the Windows> Shader List dialog box.

Set tessellation tolerances on theGeomX tab, Import tessellationsection. To retessellate, use theWindow > GeomX > Tessellatedialog box, and enter new settings.

For information about these settings, menu items, and options, see theAutodesk® Opticore® Studio Help.

Autodesk Opticore Studio Data | 47

Glossary

Glossary termsASM (.asm)

A file format used by Pro/ENGINEER to represent an assembly.

assembly

An organizational file that fits together a collection of manufactured partsinto a complete model.

BSD license

The Berkeley Software Distribution license for redistribution and use of sourcecode.

CATIA ➤ V4

CATIA V4 is computer-aided design software from Dassault Systèmes. AutodeskDirectConnect allows the exchange of 3D model data from CATIA V4, using.model, .session, .exp, .dlv, and .dlv3 files.

CATIA ➤ V5

CATIA V5 is computer-aided design software from Dassault Systèmes. AutodeskDirectConnect allows the exchange of 3D model data from CATIA V5, usingthe native CATIA part (.CATPart), product (.CATProduct), and (.cgr) files.

CGR ➤ (.cgr)

CATIA Graphical Representation (.cgr) is the triangulated format used byCATIA V5.

Glossary | 49

Cosmo™

A legacy 3D file format from Silicon Graphics Inc. using efficient binarycompression and *.csb (Cosmo scene binary) files.

CSB (.csb)

Cosmo 3D™scene binary (*.csb) files.

DLV (.dlv)

A file format used by CATIA V4 computer-aided design software from DassaultSystèmes.

DRAW (DR)

A two-dimensional entity defined in the drafting and detailing world.

DWF™

Design Web Format, a file format developed by Autodesk for web viewing andprinting.

DWG™

AutoCAD drawing file) A file format used by Autodesk AutoCAD software thatcontains lines, curves, and 3D data.

DXF™

(Drawing eXchange File) A file exchange format containing ASCII code andbinary representations of the objects in a DWG file.

G (.g)

A file format used by Pro/ENGINEER PTC Granite for import into the Autodeskproducts that DirectConnect supports.

Granite ➤

A CAD technology platform for design collaboration using solid models.

IAM (.iam)

A file format in the Autodesk Inventor software represent an assembly.

IGES

(Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) A file format for transferring graphicsdata between CAD/CAM systems. A neutral file format that can be importedinto any number of CAD or modeling packages.

50 | Glossary

IPT (.ipt)

A file format in the Autodesk Inventor software to represent a part.

IV (.iv)

A file format in the Open Inventor software.

JT

JT is a DirectModel file format that is developed and supported by the JT OpenProgram for the visualization of 3D models.

NX ➤

NX is a solid modeling package based on the Parasolid kernel. The packagecontains many (mostly optional) modules: for example, CAD, CAM, CAE,sheet metal applications, knowledge bases, quality control, and rapidprototyping. The files structure is binary.

Open Inventor™

Open Inventor is a legacy 3D file format from Silicon Graphics, Inc. OpenInventor is not related to Autodesk Inventor software. Open Inventor is anobject-oriented 3D toolkit that describes complete 3D scenes, which can bemade interactive and that are optimized for OpenGL. It is an ASCII or binaryfile format.

PCRE

The Perl-compatible regular expressions is a library of functions to supportregular expressions, with syntax and semantics as close as possible to thesyntax and semantics in the Perl 5 language.

Pro/ENGINEER ➤

A solid modeling CAD/CAM/CAE software product from Parametric TechnologyCorporation that requires positional construction tolerances.

PRT (.prt)

A file format used by NX to represent a part or assembly file.

SLDASM (.sldasm)

A file format used by SolidWorks to represent an assembly file.

SLDPRT (.sldprt)

A file format used by SolidWorks to represent a part file.

Glossary | 51

SolidWorks ➤

A solid modeling CAD/CAM/CAE software product from SolidWorksCorporation that requires positional construction tolerances.

SPACE (SP)

A three-dimensional entity defined in the 3D modeling world.

SPF

Alias SPF (Studio Packet File) is a native file format used by Autodesk Aliassoftware, with the extension .wire.

STEP (.step)

An international standard for the exchange of geometric product definitions.STEP formats that are relevant to Autodesk products are AP203 (generalmechanical CAD) and AP214 (automotive CAD).

STL

An STL (StereoLithography) file is a triangular representation of 3D surfacegeometry. The surface is tessellated, or broken down logically into a series ofsmall triangles (facets). A perpendicular direction and three points representingthe vertices (corners) of the triangle describe each facet.

STP (.stp)

A file format used in STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) fortransferring graphics data between CAD/CAM systems.

V3Rx

A file format generated by a version of CATIA that is older than V4.

ZPR

ZPrint CAD format (ZPR) is a proprietary file format developed by ZCorporation. It is used with ZPrint and ZEdit for printing on high definitioncolor 3D printers. Autodesk Direct lets you export files in ZPR (*.zpr) formatto use in the Autodesk Rapid Prototyping solution.

52 | Glossary

Index

A

Autodesk Aliaslocate imported data 45view unit settings 45visible colors 45

Autodesk AutoCAD drawing files 19Autodesk DirectConnect 1

improvements 6install 7new features 5supported platforms 7supported products 2supported translators 2

Autodesk Inventorfile formats 10translator 10

Autodesk Mayaimported colors 46locate imported data 46unit settings 46

Autodesk Opticore Studioimported colors 47locate imported data 47tessellation tolerances 47

Autodesk Showcaseimported colors 46locate imported data 46unit settings 46

C

CATIA V4file types 12translator 12

CATIA V5file types 14translator 14

Cosmofile types 33translator 33

D

Design Web Format 17Drawing eXchange File 19DWF translator 17DWG DXF translators 19

F

file formats.cgr, .CATProduct, .CATPart 14.dwf 17.dwg, .dxf 19.iam 10.iges, .igs 21.ipt 10.iv, .csb 33.jt 26.model, .mdl, .session, .exp, .dlv 12.prt 28.prt, .asm, .g, .neu 35.sldprt, .sldasm 37.stl 41.stp, .step 39.zpr 43

I

IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Spec.)Alias import options 21file types 21levels 21log files 21translator 21

improvements in Directconnect 6install Autodesk DirectConnect 7

53 | Index

J

JTfile types 26translator 26

N

new features 5NX

file types 28translator 28

O

Open Inventorfile types 33translator 33

P

Pro/ENGINEERfile types 35translator 35

S

SolidWorksfile types 37translator 37

STEPfile types 39translator 39

STLfile types 41translator 41

support platforms 7supported products and translators 2system requirements 7

T

trademarkstranslators

Autodesk Inventor 10CATIA V4 12CATIA V5 14Cosmo 33DirectConnect 1DWF 17DWG DXF 19IGES 21JT 26NX 28Open Inventor 33Pro/ENGINEER 35SolidWorks 37STEP 39STL 41ZPR 43

W

what's new in this release 5Windows platform 7

Z

ZPRfile types 43translator 43

ZPrint CAD format 43

54 | Index

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