Hi, I just recently took a Solidworks class and a FeatureCAM class at the community college. I am trying to import some of my drawings from SW, but I am unable to Chain any of the lines and curves created in SW. It just will not select them. Can anyone give me some help importing CAD drawings and then adding the needed features?

Todd

Hello, I have been down this road before. If you will export your model as an IGES, you will have better luck. When you go to export from solidworks, in the "save as" dialouge box chose save as Iges for file type. Then the options button will become active, chose options, then in that dialouge box , under the solids/surface features drop down menus, make sure that the Iges wireframe choice is checked and set it to
B-splines. What will happen when you import this file to Featurecam is you will get a wireframe instead of a model. It will all be geometry that you can pick and manipulate as you wish. Also if you go ahead and import the parasolid file, you can use automatic feature recognition. If you part is all 2D stuff, it will generate a almost complete program for you. Anything 3D throws a money wrench into the Auto Recognition option. I hope this was helpful!!

Have a great day!!
Dalen Mealer

That really helped out alot. I am still having trouble with surface milling, but I will play with it alittle more. Your help opened another door, so I could run a little bit further, now to get through the next door.
Are there any online tutorials for featureCAM that may help with learning it. The class I had was pretty basic and we didn't have enough time to really get into the more complicated stuff.

Thanks,
Todd

I took some online courses from featurecam themselves. they were ok I guess. They are live classes with an instructor. You application share over the internet and dial in by phone for voice communication. They go through things pretty fast so have a notepad ready if you elect to take one. As far as surface milling is concearned, it's pretty easy once you understand the basics. I can send you one of my basic surfacemilling files to look at if you like.

Have a great day!!!!!
Dalen

I think a sample surfacemilling file may help me figure it out. I would appreciate if you sent me that file. Send it to Badgs750@aol.com

Thanks,
Todd

Todd, You should have your file. If there are any problems just let me know!!!!

Dalen