[Machining]

Due to financial issues, my Gibbs (solids import) is not up to date. I have a need (occasionally) to convert Solidworks files into something my Gibbs version can read. Are there any free conversion options out there? My Gibbs is 2007 (v8.5.32).

Thanks

[DMF_TomB]

Convert Solidworks file to ISO industry standard STEP file
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STEP type 214 is usually readable by most CAD programs. The beauty of STEP is one CAD file can recreate thousands of individual part files, subassemblies in a big assembly. Basically one file can recreate a complex machine with many individual parts. STEP files can usually be compressed in a ZIP file. I have seen a 15mb Zip file uncompress to a 80mb STEP file that creates over 300 mb of over 500 part files.
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IGES file format is an older file format that can be used.
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Usually when a company uses only one type of CAD they sometimes forget how to work with the other 99.9% of the rest of the world.
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i have worked with many 30 year veteran Engineers that could not tell the difference between a Parasolid, IGES, or STEP file. Usually it was because they never got out of the office much and or did not work for many other companies before.

[Machining]

Is there a free tool for that?

[Machining]

Forget the STEP. Gibbs doesn't read it unless you purchase the very expensive option to do so. That import option handles ProE and several others, but I don't need that.

One of the things that chaps my behind with Gibbs. Other systems include a STEP reader for free, not them. I even talked with Bill Gibbs about it to no avail. Of course my reseller has the solution; throw more money at it

[DMF_TomB]

Is there a free tool for that?

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Free 3D Models, Free CAD Models
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is a website for sharing 3D cad models. you could upload a Solidworks file and then come back and download it as a STEP file or other CAD file format.
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you have to remember when you upload the cad file everybody and anybody has access to it. And you cannot legally upload a CAD file unless you own it and are willing to give it free to the web site