This dialogue box is used to select files.
Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below.
Look in - Select the correct directory.
Up one level button - Click this button to go up one level in the folder structure.
Create new folder button - Click this button to create a new folder.
View menu button - Click this button to display a menu containing options on how to display the files in the dialogue box.
File name - Select or type the name of the file.
Files of type - This displays the filter pattern which filter the file names
of the current directory. By default, the pattern is *.* which displays all files. This selector lists the default filters for the file types that can be imported. You can select a filter from the pull down list. Once a filter is selected, files satisfying that filter are displayed.
Note that Files of type is only used to help find files more easily. It does not determine the type of file to be imported. When a file is
imported, PowerSHAPE looks at the contents of the file to determine its type and not its name. For example, if Files of type is set to *.pic, you can still import an IGES file by typing in the name in the File name text box. If an IGES file is called file.pic, this filter will help find it, but the file will still be imported as an IGES file.
The types of files that can be imported are given below.
PowerSHAPE Model (*.psmodel)
This is the PowerSHAPE model using the single file format. If you have a model on removable media (tape or disk) which does not appear in your model database, it can be imported into your model database. Each model is held in a directory that contains the model files.
Model (doc.det) This is the PowerSHAPE and DUCT5
model using the directory format (a set of files in a folder). If you have a model on removable media (tape or disk) which does not appear in your model database, it must be imported. Each model is held in a directory that contains the model files.
DUCTdraft drawing (drawing.det)
This is the DUCTdraft drawing format. The contents of the drawing are imported
into a new model with the same name as the drawing.
Delcam Geometry (*.dgk)
This is a special format that defines PowerSHAPE and PowerMILL data in a single file.
Delcam Machining Triangles (*.dmt)
This file is imported as a symbol. The symbol definition is also stored in the model and has the same name as the file. See "Symbols" in the Drafting Manual for further details.
IGES (*.ig*) This defines the model according to the IGES (International Graphics Exchange Standard) specification. Most high level CAD systems can provide models in this model format.
You can set how data is imported from IGES files using the Options dialogue box. See "IGES options" in "Tools -
Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details.
Blanked IGES surfaces are imported as blanked.
PS-Exchange may not import drafting objects from an IGES file. If you try to do so, a message is displayed explaining the drawbacks of using PS-Exchange. The message asks you if you want to continue to use PS-Exchange. If you say no, the PowerSHAPE translator is automatically used instead.
DWG Files (*.dwg) This format defines the model as DWG data (usually exported from AutoCAD).
DXF Files (*.dxf) This format defines the model as DXF data (usually exported from AutoCAD).
Rhino (*.3dm) This format defines the model as a Rhino file.
Catia Files (*fic*), (*mod*), (*.cat), (*.exp)
Catia5 (*.CATpart)
These define the model as a Catia file. The Catia export files *.cat and *.exp are made up of a number of Catia fic files. By default, each fic file is imported into a
separate new model. You can import the fic files into the same model by turning off the Open a new file for each fic option on the Import/Export page of the
Options dialogue box. CADDS (_pd*),
(*.C4X)
This format defines the model as a CADDS file. CADDS files of version 4 and 5 can be imported into PowerSHAPE.
Cimatron (*.pfm) This format defines the model as a Cimatron file.
Ideas (*.mf1) This format defines the model as an Ideas file.
PDF Files (*.pdf) PDF files are imported using pdf2vector. Note: pdf2vector is a third party
product supplied by Square One. If this software is not installed on your system, a message is displayed referring you to the Square One website www.square1.nl Picture (*.pic) This format defines the model as a
wireframe using arcs, lines and curves. PowerSHAPE can read DUCT5 pictures.
ProE Files (*.prt*) This format defines the model as a Pro- Engineer file.
Unigraphics (*.prt) This format defines the model as a Unigraphics file.
Solidedge (*.par) This format defines the model as a SolidEdge file.
ACIS (*.sat) This format defines the model as an ACIS file.
Solidworks (*.sldprt) This format defines the model as a SolidWorks file.
Step files (*.step), (*.stp)
This format defines the model as a Step file.
Stereo lithographic file STL format (*.stl)
This format imports the triangulated
representation in STL (Stereo Lithography) format. STL files normally represent
closed solids as they are primarily used for rapid prototyping and many rapid
triangular mesh.
Duct triangles (*.tri) This file is imported as a symbol. The symbol definition is also stored in the model and has the same name as the file. See "Symbols" in the Drafting Manual for further details.
VDA-FS (*.vda) This format defines the model as a VDA- FS file. VDA-FS version 2 files can be imported directly. All VDA-FS entities are supported, with the following constraints: curves of a degree higher than 3 are
approximated by cubic beziers to tolerance.
UG Parasolid (*.xmt*), (*.x_t), (*.x_b)
This format defines the model as a UG Parasolid file.
Zipped files (*.zip) You can import a zip file if it contains one of the following:
• a single file such as IGES or dgk
• a single psmodel file
• a single directory model Note that PowerSHAPE uses its own default tolerance values when importing an IGES file. If you don’t want to use the defaults, change them in the Options dialogue box before importing. The new values affect only the current model. Remember large tolerances produce poor quality surfaces and small tolerances make the application run slowly. You may need to experiment to find the best balance for your models.
Open - This closes the dialogue box and imports the selected file.
When you import certain files, a log file is generated containing details about what is imported. This log file is added to either the directory containing the imported file or the temp directory.
If you import files into a new model, the name of the last one imported minus its extension is automatically displayed as the Model Name in the
Save Model As dialogue box when you save the model. For example, if
the name of the last file imported is handle.igs, the Model Name is
handle in the Save Model As dialogue box. This name also appears in
the banner of the model's window, next to the new model's name. For example, NEW_MODEL_1(handle).
If you import a model that has the same name as one already in the model database, its name is appended with [n] where n is an integer. The integer starts at 1 and increases as other models with the same name are
imported. Once such a model is imported, you need to open it in PowerSHAPE using the Open Model dialogue box.
Generally, models are automatically opened in PowerSHAPE when they are imported.
Cancel - This removes the dialogue box from the screen without
importing any files.
Note: You can use either PowerSHAPE's internal translators or PS-
Exchange to import data. See "How do I use PS-Exchange to translate
data?" for further details.