Reduce geometry in 3d blocks imported from solidworks

[alongrey373743]

Hello.
in my 3d layout im using couple of blocks imported from Solidworks , the blocks are very heavy due to geometry (i assume) , how can i reduce their geometry or convert them to a simpler shape? (some of the block have thousands of lines, fillets etc...) (im using i7-3770 with Firepro v5900 so i think it should handle large assemblies ).

Thanks

[jaberwok]

Hello.
in my 3d layout im using couple of blocks imported from Solidworks , the blocks are very heavy due to geometry (i assume) , how can i reduce their geometry or convert them to a simpler shape? (some of the block have thousands of lines, fillets etc...) (im using i7-3770 with Firepro v5900 so i think it should handle large assemblies ).

Thanks

Do you need internal detail? Do you need individual objects within the block? Do you need holes, fillets, etc.?
You could Union separate parts, place a solid inside that fills voids and Union that with the existing geometry.
It all depends on what you've got and what you actually need.

[alongrey373743]

i just need the surface geometry i dont care whats inside the part . i build water systems in 3d and it contains parts from the manufactures , the problem is that their product blocks sometimes are very heavy .
"You could Union separate parts, place a solid inside that fills voids and Union that with the existing geometry" , i didn't actually understand what you mean .the problem is the part himself. every time i use command like , copy mirror and other common ones i move the cursors over those blocks (not all of them of-course) the computer is going crazy and get stuck for a while , its isn't smooth.

thanks again

[dgorsman]

We have similar problems, but the solution is simple. We use boxes to approximate the object envelope, then gradually union/subtract shapes to get a good compromise between design data and productivity. In a lot of cases a single box representing the exterior envelope is sufficient, with lines or circles used to indicate connection locations. Designers don't care if there's a slight dip in the middle, or if the sides aren't solid - it doesn't affect their design work.

We keep the detailed models, though, and load them up in Navisworks for model reviews while hiding the stand-in equipment.

[jaberwok]

i just need the surface geometry i dont care whats inside the part . i build water systems in 3d and it contains parts from the manufactures , the problem is that their product blocks sometimes are very heavy .
"You could Union separate parts, place a solid inside that fills voids and Union that with the existing geometry" , i didn't actually understand what you mean .the problem is the part himself. every time i use command like , copy mirror and other common ones i move the cursors over those blocks (not all of them of-course) the computer is going crazy and get stuck for a while , its isn't smooth.

thanks again

Then you need to edit the block itself. Either use BEdit within the arrangement drawing or save the block to a separate file if it isn't already in a separate file.
Either way, use the solids editing commands to reduce the complexity and save the modified block to a new name (so that the complex block is still available in the future).

[alongrey373743]

We have similar problems, but the solution is simple. We use boxes to approximate the object envelope, then gradually union/subtract shapes to get a good compromise between design data and productivity. In a lot of cases a single box representing the exterior envelope is sufficient, with lines or circles used to indicate connection locations. Designers don't care if there's a slight dip in the middle, or if the sides aren't solid - it doesn't affect their design work.

We keep the detailed models, though, and load them up in Navisworks for model reviews while hiding the stand-in equipment.

i didnt understand exactly how you do it .. i know the commands (union.. subtract) but didnt understand how you create the surface of an object when you subtract it from a box.
can you direct me to an example?

thanks

[jaberwok]

post an example .dwg block.

[alongrey373743]

the block size is around 7mb (couldnt upload it) . please download rfom the link :
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxeDB29-vmoaMDZWNFVCcUxESmc

[jaberwok]

Is this enough detail?

88637

[alongrey373743]

wow ! this is perfect . the file size reduced from 7mb to 257kb. thats exactly what i was looking for .
can you direct me to instruction or give me more detail how to do it right. (sorry for my english, not my mother language)

[jaberwok]

wow ! this is perfect . the file size reduced from 7mb to 257kb. thats exactly what i was looking for .
can you direct me to instruction or give me more detail how to do it right. (sorry for my english, not my mother language)

I exploded the beautifully detailed model and realised that it is useless to you or anyone else who wants to make any real use of it.
So, I remodelled it by tracing the main forms with polylines and made simple solids.
To create the spool is easy - trace over half the existing shape (snapping to centre points and quadrant points), Close the polyline and Revolve it about the centreline.

You may want to search for solid modelling tutorials but it really is not difficult.
Learn & Have Fun.

[I and others will help if needed]

[alongrey373743]

i know some solid modelling .. tried it ,but it seems it takes too much time (i have cuople of hundrands of blocks) .
maybe theres a simpler way of doing it?

[jaberwok]

i know some solid modelling .. tried it ,but it seems it takes too much time (i have cuople of hundrands of blocks) .
maybe theres a simpler way of doing it?

Not that I know of - if the blocks are similar to the one you started with. :(