Vibrant Tech tells me there are many technicians that use solidworks to create the Structure files for ME'scope. They tell me that you import .OBJ files. I can only find .STL files to export.
Anyone doing this?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jon McFadden,

ME'scope does not support the default solidworks file types. There are exporters available in formats that are supported such as obj.

Look here for some examples:

http://www.google.com/search?h...olidworks+export+obj

.STL type files can be imported from Solidworks into ME’scope. Only the triangular surfaces and points are imported. Lines are not.
All the surfaces are imported with their color black. This can be changed to a more useful color by selecting "Surface Triangles", double clicking on the spreadsheet column heading "color" and clicking on the color you would like.
In Solidworks, use the command “File/Save As”, “As file type”, STL. In the dialog box, click the options button and change the resolution to "coarse". Otherwise, you will get a larger number of points than needed for most applications. If this is a Solidworks Assembly file, be sure to check the "Save all components of an assembly in a single file". If you don't, you will only get the first part exported. Select Output as “ASCII” or “Binary” and the Units of measure as appropriate.
Use the exploded view in Solidworks to separate components. This will create extra points that make creating sub-structures easier. If you wish to move them together, use the drawing assistant to move the entire sub-assembly in ME’scope.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jon McFadden,

I have several machines with common problems. Instead of creating a Structure file for each, I add the structure to the same folder as the other sub-structures supplied by Vibrant. This way you can multiply the time savings for individual parts that can be reused.
Another trick that is simple to do is to zero the entire structure vertically and horizontally.
This is done by:
1. going to the points view of the machine and selecting the point that you would like to zero the machine on.
2. Record the x, y and z coordinates for this point.
3. Return to the sub-structure view of the database. The moves will have to be done individually for each sub-structure.
4. Select the first sub-structure and under the position tab and move it the required distance.
5. De-select that sub-structure and do the same for the rest of the sub-structures.

The attachment is an example of an import from Solidworks to ME'scope using .STL file structure.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jon McFadden,

Quad_View.pdf (437 KB, 10 downloads) Example of Importing file from Solidworks

I had an epiphany! I can realign the complete imported structure to conform to the Z axis being vertical simply by using the "X" and "Z" spin boxes. By doing this, I don’t have to re-orient vibrant’s supplied sub-structures and I can continue to use the axis orientation I am used to using. Let the dog wag the tail.
Another hint for more accurate graphics is to use polygons to create round objects. They are imported more accurately than round objects. By using an even number of faces, you can add a line between opposite vertices, mesh it x1 and ME'scope will provide a point in the center of the polygon (circle).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jon McFadden,