I-deas NX series

You can intergrate StudioTools models into I-deas NX (UGS PLM solutions). Often the workflow will require that the designer send geometry over to the engineer using a CAD system. The CAD operator will then use the model to describe a solid part and perform other engineering process such as describing ribs, bosses and other mechanical details.

Previous: CATIA V5

At any point the designer may need to update the information in the CAD system by re-exporting changes made to the original model in StudioTools so that those changes can be integrated into the CAD database.

MasterSeries Requirements

I-deas Master Series 9, 10, or 11.
I-deas DirectConnect V12
SurfaceStudio, AutoStudio, Studio or DesignStudio.

Use the following summarized list of modeling practices as a quick reference guide to avoid data transfer problems.

Before you create the model

Units should be set to mm.
In the Construction Options window:

The Modeling Modes should be set to NURBS.

Tolerances should be set to the following values

Curve Fit Distance = 0.005 mm
Maximum Gap Distance = 0.005 mm
Curve Fit Checkpoints = 10
Trim Curve Fit = 0.001 mm

While you create the model

Use degree 5 curves and surfaces to achieve curvature continuity between surfaces.

I-deas does not support degree 7 geometry. Geometry created in StudioTools which is degree 7 will be rebuilt to degree 3 (cubic) upon import to I-DEAS. Adjacent StudioTools surfaces which had been built with continuity between them may no longer have that continuity after they are rebuilt in I-DEAS.

Surfaces can be overbuilt and trimmed back before exporting. This will result in a greater success rate when the surface geometry is offset in I-DEAS.
Models should be transferred periodically from StudioTools to Master Series during construction to manage the quality of the model being created.
Avoid using Surfaces > Skin and Object Edit > Patch between trimmed surface boundaries since excessive amounts of data are created in the resulting surface.
Use surface building tools such as Square and Rail Surface, taking advantage of the Boundary Rebuild option to control curvature continuity between surfaces and ensure surfaces do not contain multi-knots.

Geometry types exported to I-deas

The following geometry types can be exported to I-deas using I-deas DirectConnect:

Single CVs (points)
All curves (with or without attributes: lines, polylines, etc.)
Faces
Curves on Surface
Surfaces
Target Surfaces
Trimmed Surfaces
Trimmed Surfaces with multiple trim regions
Target Trimmed Surfaces
Shells

Note Note

Polysets are the only geometry entities that are not supported by Master Series.

Workflow

The workflow of transferring data into I-DEAS NX series requires that the designer send geometry over to the engineer. The CAD operator will then use the model to describe a solid part and perform other engineering process such as describing ribs, bosses and other mechanical details.

Shell imported geometry

Shelling, or creating a topological description from StudioTools models, is a common workflow in StudioTools and I-deas NX series. When exporting a model from StudioTools, you must ensure that the geometry is built to the correct tolerance and that it can be stitched. The stitching process in StudioTools identifies gaps between surfaces so that you can repair the appropriate geometry before exporting to I-deas NX series.

During stitching, the surfaces are twinned. This means that the surface boundaries may be split to accommodate adjacent surfaces, and periodic geometry is detached into multiple surfaces.

For this reason, you should save the StudioTools wire file before stitching so that if further modifications are required to be made to the StudioTools model, the construction history will be intact.

Note Note

Stitched geometry saved to an StudioTools wire file cannot be unstitched to its original state.

Export features from StudioTools

The term ;" class='glossary'> part in I-deas NX series refers to geometry that has been saved out as a part. The term feature refers to any attribute that augments the basic shape of a part and distinguishes it from other parts that could be derived from the same basic shape. More precisely, features are objects whose key dimensions and orientations have been controlled, thus allowing you to control your design. You can bring in parts or features to replace existing features on the workbench.

Since I-deas NX series creates each element of a model as a part or feature, it is useful to import components of the StudioTools model as individual StudioTools wire files that can be manipulated in I-deas NX series as individual features. Major components of the StudioTools model can be transferred separately so that they can be used to construct individual features. The advantage of this technique is that individual features can be "replaced" to give added flexibility.