Export Model - Exporting an IGES model

  • IGES stands for "Initial Graphics Exchange Specification." The format provides a simple surface model that can be imported by many programs for use as a reference model.
  • If you import an IGES model into SDS2 Detailing using Import Model or Model > Reference models, it comes into Modeling as a single dummy material (one polygon) that is attached to the reference model member .
  • An IGES export done outside of Modeling exports the entire model. In Modeling , you can select the members you want to include in the export file, then invoke Export Model and select ' IGES ' as the " Export file format ." See step 1e or step 2 of the step-by-step instructions .

Also see :

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  Step-by-step instructions for exporting an IGES model :

1 . Before exporting:

Select Items bindings (optional in step 1e)

1a : Confirm that your current Job contains the members and materials or other information that you want to export.

1b : The entire 3D model should have undergone Process and Create Solids , have been thoroughly reviewed , and should have been modified to be current.

1c (optional) : If you are in Modeling , Status Display can be used to mask members that you do not wish to export. For example, you may want to mask " Existing members " or particular " Zones " or " Sequences ."

1d (optional) : You may also want to set up an appropriate output configuration for User and Site Options > Output > " Export Model ." Output should be set to a specific file folder (directory).

1e (optional) : In Modeling , you can Select+ the members that you want to output to the IGES file. If you do not select members at this time, you will be prompted to select members in step 2 .

2 . Open the Export Model window using one (1) of the following methods. If you did step 1e , you are in Modeling , and you must use method 2, 3, 4 or 5 to open Export Model .

Method 1 : Home > Export > 3D > Export Model .

Methods 2, 3, 4 & 5 : In Modeling , choose Interface > Export Model , or click the icon pictured above , or use a keyboard shortcut . If you have added Export Model to the context menu , you can right-click and choose Export Model on the context menu. Note: You can also use methods 2, 3 & 4 in the Drawing Editor , but the resulting export will include all members in the model.

After method 2, 3, 4 or 5 in Modeling , if you did not do step 1e, Select Item(s) mouse bindings become available, and you are prompted to select members. Press Enter when you are done selecting.

bindings in Modeling if you didn't do step 1e

If you decline to select members -- for example, by pressing Enter or Esc without selecting members -- you end this operation.

3 . On the Export Model window, do the following:

3a : Select ' IGES ' as the " Export file format ."

3b : Confirm that the " Destination " is where you want the file to be sent. ' Directory ' outputs the file to a folder. By default Export Model names the IGES file after your current Job and add a .igs extension.

3c (optional) : If you want to change the output destination, press the " Change... " button and make appropriate selections on the Output Configuration Setup window.

4 . While still on the Export Model window, press the " Properties " button next to " Export file format " to open the IGES Properties window. On that window are the following options. Be aware that checking the boxes for " Export welds " " Export holes " and/or " Export bolts " causes the output file to grow larger and more complex.

The IGES Properties window.

Export welds: or . If this box is checked ( ), welds are output to the IGES file. If this option is not checked ( ), welds will not be output to the file.

Export holes: or . If this box is checked ( ), holes are output to the IGES file. If the box is not checked ( ), holes will not be output to the file.

Export bolts: or . If this box is checked ( ), bolts are output to the IGES file that will be generated when you press " OK " on the Export Model window. If the box is not checked ( ), bolts will not be output to the file.

Translation: 0 or a +/- distance in the primary dimension " Units " or other units . The work points of all members in your current Job have specific left- and right-end global X, Y and Z locations within the 3D model. .If, in the exported file, you want the global X and/or Y and/or Z coordinates for both ends of every member to be altered a specific distance, enter that distance here.

' 0 ' for " X " and " Y " and " Z " exports a model with the same origin ( 0, 0, 0 global coordinate ) as the model in your current Job.

A positive distance is added to the left- and right-end X, Y or Z coordinates of all exported members.

A negative distance is subtracted from the left- and right-end X, Y or Z coordinates of all exported members.

Rotate CCW ( counterclockwise ) around Z axis: A positive or negative (-) number of degrees. Rotation is around the Z global axis . A value of 0 designates no rotation of the IGES model. A positive number rotates the IGES model counterclockwise that number of degrees. A negative number rotates the IGES model clockwise that number of degrees.

Plan view counterclockwise rotations around the Z axis

90°
 
-90°
180°

Alternative 1 : Press " OK " at the bottom of the IGES Properties window to apply changes made to settings on the window to the output of the IGES file.

Alternative 2 : Press the " Cancel " button if you want to apply only those settings that were active on this window when you first opened it. Settings changed since the window was opened will be forgotten and will not be applied.

5 . The Export Model window is again active.

5a ( optional ): If you want to, you can type in a different " Output file name ."

5b : Press the " OK " button.

6 . An IGES file is written to the " Destination " set in step 3 . A Warnings window may open. The window lists any members or materials that could not be exported. Press the " OK " button at the bottom of the Warnings window. If you used the default " Output file name ," the IGES file is named after your current Job and given a .igs extension.

Possibility 1 : If you did this export from Home or in the Drawing Editor , the members that you selected in step 5 will be exported to the IGES file.

Possibility 2 : If you are in Modeling , the members that you selected in step 1e or step 2 will be exported to the IGES file.

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