Need Help!- insert new part solidworks 2008

[suzukirmz]

In SW07 when I insert a new part into a assembly (insert>component>new part) it ask me where I want to save it and what name I want to give it.

But when I am using SW2008 it don’t ask me were I want to save or what name want to give it.

I can rename it, in the design tree but can’t fine it on the hard drive anywhere


Can anybody help thanks laurits

[tnik]

In 2008, they created virtual components (search for it in the help file)

once your assembly has been saved, you can right click on these virtual parts and choose to 'save part (in external file)'

HTH

[neilw20]

Much of the IMPROVEMENTS are just a disguise for not making software backward compatible. AutoCAD have always kept interoperability in mind and only use ACIS version 7 (up from 6) while others are approaching version 20.
As soon as you load a slightly earlier file SW offers, or more forcefully says you need to update your file to the latest version, so that when you send out the file, someone else needs to upgrade. These NEW FEATURES are designed in years ahead of their release. grumble grumble... I know I am getting old.

[JerryFlyGuy]

You can also save individual parts if you want to, right click it in the design tree and select Save part file. I usually re-name it first and then save it to the same folder as the assembly.

It recommended that you save your assembly before you start putting in new parts. For some reason there is a bit of a glitch in SP's prior to 4.0 which will give you association errors if you save the part and then later save the assembly.

Haven't seen it since I jumped up to 4.0 but then I'm also still judiciously saving the assembly prior to adding parts. [ I do lots of complete top down assemblies. Start a new assembly and then start inserting new parts into the assembly, rather than drawing the parts and assembling them..]

Neil, when was the last time you took a head gasket from your 1988 Grand Am and put it on your 2006 Grand am..? AutoCAD has it easy in that DWG files are simply 2D [or dumb 3D.. same thing] and are always composed of simple lines and arcs. Parametric 3D is a bit more complex in that they bring out new functions which impart the model differently. Since SW is a feature tree driven modeler it means that every time you open a model, it regenerates the entire model from the sketch's and features.. How is it supposed to do this if an older version of the software doesn't have the FUNCTION to do this? Ie, take a 2008 organic model composted of Boundry Surfaces and Free form features.. and open it in 2003..

There wasn't any such thing called Boundry surfaces or Free Form in 2003.. think it'd choke?? Because year by year they are always bringing new features to market.. it will NEVER be backwards compatible..

If you want to compare it [apples to apples] to a A-CAD product.. compare it to inventor.. to my knowledge it isn't backward compatible either.. for the very same reasons..

As far as the new features being figured out years in advance and just never released, I'd like to see some proof of that. I know features are designed tested and messed w/ for years prior to replease.. but I highly doubt they would complete a new function and just put them on the shelf for a release at some point in the future... doesn't make sense [finacially & from a 'leader of the pack' perspective..]

If you want to have a model from 2008 opened in an older version, save it as a dumb model [it's what Acad does btw... DWG/dxf are 'dumb' files.. there is no inteligence built into them] ie; Step, STL, IGES and then open it w/ the older version of the software.. don't expect to be able to modify the features however.. there won't be any 'cause it's a 'dumb's solid.. doesn't have any feature intelligence built into it.

If you want true reverse compatiblility go w/ Acad.. it's all about what your time is worth.. I'd really like to see anyone keep up to a 3d parametric modeler using Acad.. that'd REALLY be a site to see.. Acad has it's place but then... so did Dino's

fwiw

J

[cam1]

But wait, SolidWorks hase a feature recognition feature in the Office Pro and Premium, that re-parametricizes "dumb" solid models. It works well eneough in most cases to be able to modify hole features etc. (they revert back to sketched features). Siemens SolidEdge latest version of it's solids software has gone on step further, and does away with the "skeletal" hierarchy, allowing any imported part feature to be double clicked to be edited. A complex feature like a rib in a casting can be re-dimensioned to the model edge (or whatever), and modified. This is the next generation of of software.

regards

[JerryFlyGuy]

True Cam, but try it w/ a organic 3D model.. I'm not sure any program can bring it in w/ any kind of usability.. Funny thing about SE and SW.. they both use the same modeling Kernal.. it's just the front end which is different.... I've never used SE so.. I've not to much to comment on..

[cam1]

Hi:
It works with parasolids and step files very well, but it's not 100% capable.

regards

[JerryFlyGuy]

Tell ya what Cam, heres a file.. let me know how well it works

Btw, this is a simple organic file.. they come alot more complex than this.

[cam1]

I'm wise eneough to know that when someone sais "tell ya what", that the odds are against me I works for some things, but not for others. Basic extrudes etc. are within it's capabilities,others such as your example which are more slippery than a greased pig are not.
You win.

regards

[JerryFlyGuy]

yup.. you got'er.. organic shapes just don't cut it.. no matter how hard ya try.. There are ways to do it.. but they aren't fun.. and can cause you lots of grief.. I once did a boat hull via reverse engineering it from it's iges file... what a pain.. it's doable.. but like I said.. what a pain..

[suzukirmz]

Thank you very much for all you replies is been very helpful ..

Just one more question. Is it possible to wrap a text sketch on a lofted face? for example
like the one in the tutorials (3D Sketching with Planes)?
I've tried but no luck yet

[JerryFlyGuy]

To my knowledge, no. You cannot wrap anything onto a non-regular surface. You can do it on cylindrical but not sphereical and not onto non-regular [lofted] surfaces.