[Goose80]

Hello.
I have a problem.
I got this crazy idea to mill a model of Airbus A320 in foam.
I got 3D model in .max / .3ds and I want to convert it to Solidworks for milling.
some one knows how to do it?
I am familiar with Solidworks, but not with MAX.

Please help.

[mcphill]

Can you save it as a different file type in MAX? Do a STEP or IGES file, and you may be able to proceed. Max is generally point data, SolidWorks is parametric. In their native file types they are incompatible.

[ger21]

You can easily convert .3ds to .stl and machine that. You need to convert to Solidworks.

[mcphill]

Converting to STL won't help for SolidWorks, it doesn't have the capacity to use it for anything but the simplest geometry, and you need a Premium seat (with mesh support, which pretty much sucks). STEP or IGES would be better formats if it can export to those. That said, it sounds like the OP may have the file, but not the software... I have been in this predicament before, and it sucks...

[Goose80]

I tried .stl but I really need 3D solid as this is foam model, and I need to cut my own channels for cables, servos and stuff like that.
So what I need is 3D Solid model in Solidworks with outside shape taken from .max/.3ds model.

Will try IGS tomorrow (it is 01.05AM here).

[fabconv]

hi
you can export with max in stl, load in soliworks and rebuild/convert it

[Goose80]

Oki? How to rebuild it / convert it then? Here I may be lacking of SW experience.

I can attach part of that model if you guys want to try?

[fabconv]

ok send it, i'll try

[Goose80]

Here you have .STL files, both ASCII and binary of A320 Cockpit.
Let me know if you want me to export it to other format or other way...

Thanks for looking in to it.

[fabconv]

a quick result with scanto3d

not so good
you'd better go with a complete rebuild

http://rapidshare.com/files/395542490/cockpit.rar.html

[mcphill]

Like I said, SolidWorks does NOT handel STL files well, even with the Premium tools. MUCH better off with other file types. What file types is MAX able to export? List them here.

[daoneua]

I open with Mastercam and save as IGS, than I open with Proe than save as STEP, see if this work.

[fabconv]

don't work either
the only solution is to rebuild

[Goose80]

I got another model, this one is a NURBS, and guess what, all worked perfectly. I can now use SW functions to process the entire model.

BTW, the first model was POLYGONAL.

I am not sure if the difference was between NURBS and POLYGONAL or just the way POLYGONAL model was made, but it at least worked.

Thank you, all for help. I appreciate that.

Not I will start to scale the model so it will fit 70mm EDF's and to install electronics and FPV gear.

[suzukirmz]

Here is a picture TurboSquid send me