SolidWorks .exe file? How to import it in Sketchup?
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Hello, I got a file from a client. Is a SolidWorks .exe file. Some viewer embeded inside, I think. But I need to import the model in Sketchup. Any ideas?
Unfortunately, I am not allowed to publish the model, but I guess I can send it by e-mail if needed. -
There are translators out there on the market for importing Solidworks in to and out of SketchUp, but they cost a few bob.
There was a company here in SCF recently- who's name escapes me right now.
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I don't have/I don't use SolidWorks. In order to have skp files, I coud see that the plugin needs to be installed in SW and from there to export as skp.
Is anybody willing to convert the file for me? As I said, I can't publish it, but I can send it by e-mail.Thank you.
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Do you have a copy of AutoCAD? If yes, then get the client to send you the file in .sat format. Import the .sat file into AutoCAD (use the IMPORT command), scale up x 1000 to take care of small features and then save as .dwg file. Import the .dwg file into Sketchup.
Regards,
Bob -
@watkins said:
Do you have a copy of AutoCAD?
BobUnfortunately I don't have... this is why I use Sketchup
. But for now, your option seems to be the only one. I guess I'll install AutoCAD trial for this.
Do you have any idea about how the export will look like? Will preserve the objects, or all the geometry will be merged together ? -
Solidworks is FAR easier to use than AutoCAD! Have fun!
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My experience is that Solidworks is a "closed system". It's a shame, because Solidworks is a great mechanical modeller. But I've tried all kinds of ways to get SAT in and out, and eventually almost gave up. You can do it, but all you end up with is model that you has a fixed geometry structure- ie you CAN'T edit anything further. Very frustrating.
I'd highly recommend SpaceClaim over SketchUp in this regard. SpaceClaim eats Solidworks files for breakfast!
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@tfdesign said:
Solidworks is FAR easier to use than AutoCAD! Have fun!
Well, I worked both in AutoCAD and SW and I can say that SW have its benefits. But the model already exists, it's made in SW and most of all is a EXE file
. That exe file can be opened with SW, or I will need to ask for plain files?
... .sat file seems to not be an option if it messes up my geometry. I'll use that as last resort option. I would prefer to have my geometry separated.Other suggestions?
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If you client has sent you an assembly, then ask him/her to send you the individual parts as .sat files and then go the AutoCAD route. Not sure what else to suggest.
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@watkins said:
If you client has sent you an assembly, then ask him/her to send you the individual parts as .sat files and then go the AutoCAD route. Not sure what else to suggest.
And then assembly them manually in sketchup? Is this a way too... there are not so many elements.
Thanks. -
I'd be interested too but I think those exe files are compressed and locked. The last time I had one, I just rebuilt the whole system myself. My guess is that you ask fr 3dxml files or other editable format, that you may convert to DAE and reimport in SU ...
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Not a Solid Works user, but a .exe is typically a program (with data built in), not a pure data file like .skp, dxf, dwg, etc. There may be no translator that will work with that kind of file. Unless you go to the Solid Works user, and ask him for an data export that SketchUp can import, you may be out of luck.
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As an analogy (although may be a bit of), it is like asking someone to make a dxf export from an animation exported from SU.
Is there any data-like file that client could export from SW?
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@gaieus said:
As an analogy (although may be a bit of), it is like asking someone to make a dxf export from an animation exported from SU.
Is there any data-like file that client could export from SW?
No, is not like that. Is the actual SW file, but somehow compressed and a viewer added. If you want analogy, think on a SKP file with Sketchup Viewer embedded. You have access to geometry, but can't edit. Just see sections, elements, perspective on/off, rotation, scenes.
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It's a 'read only' version.
The viewer and data are fused into one exe file.
You're screwed.
IF the client wants you to have the data in a usable format then get it that way initially....
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@tig said:
It's a 'read only' version.
The viewer and data are fused into one exe file.
You're screwed.That's why I brought that extreme analogy. Both are completely useless - unless you remodel everything eyeballing it.
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A typical Solidworks part should end with the extension;
.SDLPRT
an assembly being
.SDLASM
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if the file is made with the eDrawings Publisher f. Solidworks you can try to open it w/ the free eDrawings SolidWorks Viewer and save to a vector based format as e.g. STL which then could be converted to something for SU useable as e.g. the Collada DAE format by the free MeshLab.
If the eDrawings Viewer refuses to open the EXEcutable directly you may try if changing the file extension to something supported helps.
btw, AutoCAD is mainly used - at least by professionals - for drafting of 2D (shop) drawings and therefore not really competing w/ a 3D MCAD modeler as e.g. SolidWorks... or Autodesk Inventor.
hth,
Norbert -
@sketch3d.de said:
btw, AutoCAD is mainly used - at least by professionals - for drafting of 2D (shop) drawings and therefore not really competing w/ a 3D MCAD modeler as e.g. SolidWorks... or Autodesk Inventor.
I don't entirely agree. Autodesk and Dassault have been at loggerheads with each other for quite a while now. Neither will open each others files properly- if at all, yet both are quite capable of both 2D and 3D. FWIW, Solidworks does actually produce rather beautiful 2D drawings, and easily too. They each want a piece of the pie- although I don't ever really see Solidworks becoming an application of choice for architects. I think that's where Autodesk have really clinched it.
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