What is 3D Interconnect and Best Practices?

3D Interconnect and Best Practices

 3D Interconnect is a technology from SOLIDWORKS that lets users work with CAD data from different CAD systems without having to use a neutral file export (like IGES). This is great because different CAD files can be dragged and dropped right into a SOLIDWORKS session without any translation needed and all metadata (material, part number, description, etc.) is brought into the session with it. The CAD file also maintains a fully associative link to the original file so if any updates are made to the file a refresh symbol will appear on the CAD file within the SOLIDWORKS session letting you know the file is out of date. The CAD file can be refreshed right within the SOLIDWORKS session, and all previous relationships made with the CAD file are kept and updated with the update and no errors appear.

Foreign CAD Files Supported by 3D Interconnect

 All the formats listed below are supported by 3D Interconnect. CATIA V5-SOLIDWORKS Translator is only available with a SOLIDWORKS Premium license.

Figure 1: 3rd Part CAD Files Supported by 3D Interconnect (image courtesy of http://help.solidworks.com/)

Figure 1: 3rd Part CAD Files Supported by 3D Interconnect (image courtesy of http://help.solidworks.com/)

Who Would 3D Interconnect Help?

Anybody who works with foreign CAD files can put 3D Interconnect to good use. For example, contract manufacturers that constantly deal with 3rd party CAD files would enjoy 3D Interconnect. No need to waste time to convert the 3rd party file into a native SOLIDWORKS file format, simply drag and drop the file right into SOLIDWORKS and continue modeling. If any updates are made to the 3rd party modeled part, SOLIDWORKS will notify the user it is out of date once it is updated, and all dimensioning and relationships will be kept instead of filling the user’s screen with errors. 3D Interconnect would also benefit a company that is going through a change from a previous CAD application and needs to continue using legacy files. All the previous work done on the other CAD application can be brought right into SOLIDWORKS without any issues.

Using 3D Interconnect

In SOLIDWORKS 2020 and after 3D Interconnect is enabled by default but to enable or disable 3D Interconnect go to Tools > Options > System Options > Import > Enable 3D Interconnect.

Figure 2: Enable 3D Interconnect Location

Figure 2: Enable 3D Interconnect Location

Figure 2: Enable 3D Interconnect Location

Figure 2: Enable 3D Interconnect Location

Once 3D Interconnect is enabled, a foreign CAD file can be simply dragged and dropped directly into SOLDIWORKS. Also, in SOLIDWORKS 2020 and onward the Insert Components or Open can be used as well.

 
Figure 3: Imported 3rd Party CAD File

Figure 3: Imported 3rd Party CAD File

When a 3rd party CAD file is imported it will appear in the Feature Tree looking slightly different from normal Assembly and Part icons. The imported part will have a small arrow next to the name indicating that the imported part is linked back to the original file. If any changes are made to the original file a refresh arrow circle will appear within the icon next to the file’s name. To update the file right-click the part’s name and press Update Model. Once it is updated it will remain fully associative.

Conclusion

3D Interconnect reduces a significant amount of time when consistently needing to work with and utilize 3rd party CAD files. Any company that collaborates with customers or vendors that use CAD applications other than SOLIDWORKS or is doing a companywide switch to SOLIDWORKS should consider enabling 3D Interconnect and finding out how much time they could save using it.

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to read our blog. We're always here to help out, so if you have any questions or need any contract services, please feel free to give us a shout! We'd love to hear from you.

 
Jacob Ruemenapp