IGS (IGES) file conversion for AutoCAD 2011

[airnocker]

Seasons Greetings everyone!

I'm done searching the web for a free means to convert two .IGS files so I can open and use them in my AutoCAD 2011. (I can't afford to upgrade it to a newer level). I found eMachineShop online that will convert my .IGS files but their "freebie" only seems to convert one view of the object.  I want the whole 2d/3d object from these .IGS files (if that's possible).  I've looked for IGES plugins for AutoCAD 2011 and find them for later versions but not mine.

Any ideas of suggestions for converting these two files to a usable AutoCAD 2011 format is what I'm seeking.

Note: I've had my copy of AutoCAD 2011 since 2011 or 2012 and hardly ever used it.  I now have a project that would benefit from my re-learning its capabilities in 2D and 3D models, so now I'm ready to import these vendor provided .IGS files in a compatible format for AC 2011 which I'm assuming is possible.

Please steer me in the right direction.  I've tried to attach the two files but the forum doesn't allow those filetypes.  (why? they are just text files)

Many thanks,
 

[dh42]

Hello

If you share your files, I can try to convert them with SolidWorks, it read IGES, but no idea about the format that must be used for autoCAD, I know only the .dwg format for AutoCAD 2D (AutoCAD 2000/2002 LT) ... what is used for 3D in AutoCAD ?

To attache the files, first zip them

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David

[airnocker]

Thanks David,

AutoCAD 2011 natively uses its DWG, DWS and DXF file formats.  AutoCAD 2010 thru 2012 uses what is referred to as the AutoCAD 2010 format.  2D formats?  I don't know.  The 2011 version has 3D modeling capability so when the 3D modeling Save As my only choices are these three file types for current to older AutoCAD versions.  I've no idea how this all works as I'm just trying to re-learn it.  Can AutoCAD 2011 save 3D modeling objects? 

Here is the zip file.

[dh42]

I tried to export to DXF & DWG, from SW the problem is that the DXF or DWG that result is not a 3D object but a "flat" view ...

Is your Acad able to import STEP files (*.stp) ? ... or other 3D format ?

I add the STEP version that can be opened in CamBam V1.0 as 3D objects.

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David

[dh42]

I don't have autocad to do tests, but if:

- I import the step file in CamBam 1.0
- I select then remove the surfaces (you can use my "select by object type" plugin to do the selection)
- I export to DXF from CamBam (be sure that "Export 3D polylines" is set to true in the Tools/options panel)
- I Load the resulting DXF in 3Dsmax, I get a wire 3D object as on the picture, so it should works in Acad too ....

the 3D wire files are in attachment.

If it work for you, now you need to find a converter from IGES to STEP, then you can use CB for the rest.

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David

[airnocker]

Way cool.  Thanks for all the effort, David.  That's very good to know the procedure you've just described, for sure.  I believe STP and IGS files are similar to CB files in that they are simply text file statements of a specific format.  My version of AutoCAD knows nothing of the STEP or IGS format, but newer versions of AutoCAD do.

I have individual front, top, side view DWG and DXF files.  I've assembled the DWG files into a 3-view 2D AutoCAD drawing and exported as a composite DXF file that I've then imported into CB successfully a few years ago.  I've used CB for laying out these various optical components for a laser projector.  But some objects need to be milled and my friend that offered to do so doesn't use CB so I thought I'd send him an AutoCAD file format in 3D but I guess 2D is all I can give him.

I going to add your plugin to my CB 1.0 as it will definitely come in handy in the future.

Thanks a whole bunch!

[dh42]

You can give the step files to your friend, it is a very common 3D CAD format that almost all 3D softs can read.

On the web, I see that AutoCAD can import Step, but I don't understand where to download the plugin.
http://matt-3dsmax.blogspot.com/2011/02/import-step-stp-into-autocad.html

To convert IGES to STEP ... maybe you can have a look on FreeCAD ; seems it is able to import IGES

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David

[dh42]

My version of AutoCAD knows nothing of the STEP or IGS format, but newer versions of AutoCAD do.

Yes, or older 

https://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/qaID.asp?tip=2703

And I just see that my 3DSmax version (2011) is able to import IGES as is ... (and with the surfaces) ... but ... it is not able to save as STEP, 3DSmax is only a mesh software and the IGES object is converted to a mesh, so only mesh formats are available for export (STL, 3DS, OBJ, WRML ...) .. but there is a DWG, DXF, DWF and FBX format, I can't test those formats on AutoCAD, but if you want to have a look on the attached files in the next message

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David

[dh42]

DXF, DWG, FBX and DWF from 3Dsmax

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David

[airnocker]

You can give the step files to your friend, it is a very common 3D CAD format that almost all 3D softs can read.

On the web, I see that AutoCAD can import Step, but I don't understand where to download the plugin.
http://matt-3dsmax.blogspot.com/2011/02/import-step-stp-into-autocad.html

To convert IGES to STEP ... maybe you can have a look on FreeCAD ; seems it is able to import IGES

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David

...except that is not the object I need for my friend, it was just one of two IGS file formats I had as examples for this post.

And wouldn't you know, my 2011 version does not come with the Advantage pack.

[dh42]

...except that is not the object I need for my friend, it was just one of two IGS file formats I had as examples for this post.

Feel free to ask me for convert others files to STEP  and if it's confidential, I'll give you my Mail ..

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David

[airnocker]

...except that is not the object I need for my friend, it was just one of two IGS file formats I had as examples for this post.

Feel free to ask me for convert others files to STEP  and if it's confidential, I'll give you my Mail ..

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David

If I can get a grasp of AutoCAD's oddities (I've watched a ton of tutorials) and I can get the part modeled I will certainly keep your offer in mind. 

Again, I really appreciate it David.

[Dragonfly]

I don't have autocad to do tests, but if:

- I import the step file in CamBam 1.0
- I select then remove the surfaces (you can use my "select by object type" plugin to do the selection)

David

It's my long time practice already thanks to the 'Select by type' plugin. The only difference with you is that I select 3D surfaces and join them into a single entity. Then move to another separate layer for reference. I use the 3D wireframe to  make 2D/2.5D shapes for machining. Also in a separate layer.
Eddy's 'Show extrema' plugin is very handy for determining depths of the recessed elements in the 3D model.
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