Import assemblies into AutoCAD 2005

[mechwreck]

We are trying to import assemblies into Autocad from Solidworks. First, is there a way that Autocad can read all of the entities involved? And secondly, if so, does autocad have the ability to make a BOM/Parts list from the recognized entities? The point is to save time by doing the drawing set in this manner by not having to wait for a large assembly to open.Any help would be appreciated!

[Steve_Bennett]

First off, welcome to AUGI. May I suggest taking a look at this thread (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=37566)for some info to help explain the forums?

Secondly, please note I have moved this to the AutoCAD General forum as it will be better served there.

Thirdly, what versions of software are you running? The capabilities of AutoCAD can vary greatly over the last few releases.

[mechwreck]

We are using solidworks 2006 and autocad 2005. Thanks.

[Steve_Bennett]

Well, I'm not familiar with solidworks so I'm unsure what your export options are. AutoCAD can really only read dxf and dwg files for opening. Depending on what gets imported will affect what autocad see. You could generate a BOM from blocks or attributed blocks and place the info in an AutoCAD table. How familiar are you with AutoCAD?

[mechwreck]

I have been using AutoCad for a number of years, although I have never faced this issue that I have been tasked with. The other problem is that I just started at this company and they have yet to put Acad on my workstation. This makes it difficult to try things until then. I have 2000 at home and SW 2005 also. From what I have found researching, This might be a stretch. Someone suggested checking into acis files and also vba macros within solidworks. Thanks.

[jaberwok]

FWIW, Mech Desktop and/or Inventor should do what you want but not vanilla Acad.

[robert.1.hall72202]

I tried importing catia assemblies. All I got in AutoCad were the crosshairs, no data.
Thankfully I have my own catia seat. I requested the model file from the customer, created my own iges file, and then brought it into AutoCad.

[mechwreck]

Robert,

Were you able to auto-populate a parts list or Bom after bringing in your catia model to auto-cad? The Catia translation interest me also as that is another application we use and would be great to be able to do this with Solidworks and catia. Thanks!

[robert.1.hall72202]

Unfortunately, I couldn't generate a BOM.

I couldn't even get mechanical desktop to generate
multiple views of a 3d model. All the data seemed
to be just linework. I may have to change some of
the iges settings from within Catia.