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Problem with SW2007 SPO shifting dimensions

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Spurs

Mechanical
Nov 7, 2002
297
I am having a problem using SW2007 SPO that I have never seen before in other SW versions.

I am importing a dxf file into a sketch. The dxf file has a series of circular arcs interconnected to a closed irregular shape.

Some of the arcs are centered on 0,0 with a radius of 17.30 mm.

If i add a circle center 0,0 radius 17.3 in the same sketch, the circle is smaller than the circular arcs and there is a visible gap. Checking the dimensions, nothing has shifted.

Increasing the image quality in the tools option menu does not affect this visual gap.

If i trim away a small part of the circle at the arc, the gap visually becomes smaller, but it is still there.

Sometmes when i trim away other features, the circular acrs change center slightly - maybe .000006 mm and correspondingly change the size of the radius as well - similar scale.

I am not as disturbed by the visual effects as I am about the small changes in size and position. As I keep working on the sketch, this small changes create trimming problems. It isnt convenient to fix every dimension.

Is there a global setting that the default 2007 comes set up in that i am not aware of that can fix this?

 
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Not being smart, but why are you using SP0? SP2.1 is out and may be worth installing.

Also, im my opinion I believe the more advanced 3D packages become the greater the gap between DXF and 3D packages will be - this may be one of the reasons for the differences.

Regards,
 
It rarely pays to import a DXF or DWG for direct use in SW. It often takes more time to fix it than to create a new sketch and be sure that it's correct.

I will often import DXF but only use it as a guide when creating a new sketch.

I don't trust anything created in ACAD ... not because of the program, but because of how many users [mis]use it.

[cheers]
 
CorBlimeyLimey

The same dxf files work perfectly in older version of Solidworks - so where does the problem really lie?
 
Oh, undoubtedly the SW translator is lacking in some areas. I wasn't knocking ACAD ... in the right hands it is a very competent and powerful tool. But I have learned from bitter experience to not trust imported ACAD drawings because of the way some people cheat with dimensioning and position points incorrectly.

When I have had major problems with DXFs or DWGs in SW, I have stepped back and opened the files in ACAD only to find the real problem exists there. So then I've either fixed it in ACAD (or DWGeditor) and tried importing (usually with more success) again or redrew in SW.

Now I don't even bother trying to import DXFs or DWGs unless I want to use them as a rough guide.

BTW, does the DXF perform OK in DWGeditor?

[cheers]
 
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