Why Do CAD Models Lose Features During File Conversion?

Computer-Aided Design applications are the predominant source of design and modelling for various Architectural, manufacturing, and Engineering projects all around the globe. These software solutions render their excellence in creating various 2D and 3D models with ideal geometry and precision, which are used for vital project developments for various niche-based projects.

CAD model conversion is one such process to bridge one CAD software with other eminent software solutions out here. Through this process the digital graphical representation from one CAD software can be exchanged to enhance better ways for collaboration and to use the converted model in various other software.

During the CAD file conversion process, there are multiple limitations that might result in losing the integral features of the model and eventually affects the overall results. In this blog, let us delve into the aspects that affects the model features and the ways to avoid them during CAD file conversion.

An Ideal CAD Model Conversion – A Brief

Before jumping into the limitations that makes the CAD models lose features during the model conversion, let us first understand what a perfect CAD model conversion looks like. Computer-Aided Design software, as said earlier, are the prominent source of designing and creating 2D &3D, models for the industries such as Construction and manufacturing that use the design as the first phase of development.

The designs will have their unique information like metadata/properties, design intent and various other design data information that defines the whole model and its purpose. When it comes to a project, it cannot be said that every user and team will use the same software, Sometimes, the portion of the design comes from different vendors designed in different software. At this situation, to enhance collaboration and convert the model to the recipient space, it becomes essential to convert or exchange the model with the other software.

An ideal model conversion should be one where the model when transferred from one to another CAD software, the whole design with the metadata, properties, design intent, geometrical specifications should be converted all along without missing out on any integral factors. One important factor that defines the ideal quality of model conversion is interoperability; an interoperable model conversion allows the users to exchange the model and have access to them where the model can be further enhanced as per the requirement. 

Factors That Make the CAD Models Lose Features During File Conversion

There are several reasons that makes the CAD models lose features, wherein here are certain common factors that retard the process and affects the whole integrity of file conversion.

1. Limitations With File Formats

Each CAD software is unique and can have their own proprietary file formats in which they maintain and store information on the designs. That said, such software will have the requirement to exchange the designs with other software that has a different file format. This major difference is a limitation that leads to missing out on interoperability and affects the whole data that is about to be converted.

For example, converting the AutoCAD model to SolidWorks; it is known that this two software have a different file format, i.e. .dwg and .sldasm/.sldprt; when these files are converted, the incompatibility will lead to miss the integral information like parametric information, geometric data, essential properties which includes the complex model information. 

2. Missing out Parametric Information

Converting the CAD files between two incompatible software without proper method/solution can lead to loss of parametric information of the models. Since the parametric information defines how the parts are related to each other and how the geometry can change based on other parameters, they are prominent and need to be converted to the other software.

When this data is missed out, the feature loss happens which results in loss of model intelligence. For example, when taking the AutoCAD model to SolidWorks, the parametric information in the model will be removed and the relationship gets distorted and leads to missing out integral factors like patterns and more. 

3. Feature Incompatibility

CAD software solutions will have their own proprietary file formats, and, in those formats, there are multiple ways in which the features are represented. At this point when the software connects with the other, there is no assurance that the other software has the compatibility to represent the features in the exact ways as it was with the parent software. This will eventually lead to losing the ideal features that need to be converted. 

4. Loss of Metadata and Annotations

When two CAD software solutions with different formats and associated principles are connected for model conversion there are chances of losing the metadata and essential annotations. Metadata includes the model data like material properties, surface finishes, component information, manufacturing data and more. This essential information may not be converted properly in certain incompatible conversions or can go distorted to the other software.

Annotations, on the other hand, are the component information that the user adds in parent software, and during conversion, this ideal information might not go in, leading to missing out on extensive model information. 

How to Overcome the Limitations of Losing the Essential Features?

Having said about the limitations that cause feature loss during CAD file conversion, here are certain aspects that assist in overcoming those limitations.

➡️ Choosing the right file formats that can run compatible with multiple CAD software that are connected for model conversion. Users can prefer neutral file formats that can act compatible with various software solutions. 

➡️ Using file format like STEP will allow the users preserve the model data and expect the same with the recipient software. Even though it has some limitations, most of the CAD designers prefer this.

➡️ Considering the software compatibility before file conversion becomes inevitable. The user can check the compatibility between the applications and verify whether the model can go with all the inclusive information without any deviation. 

➡️ Using the ideal export/import plug-ins and add-ins can be one effective alternative way to overcome all the limitations. Certain CAD applications support the add-ins and therefore promote better model conversion. 

➡️ Eminent CAD conversion tool can be used to avoid losing the essential features of CAD models during file conversion. These software solutions enhance compatibility and run the file conversion process where the application promises to convert the model with all the inclusive information including metadata, precise geometry, parameters and more. 

BIMDeX – One Stop Solution to Preserve Features During CAD File Conversion

One of the remedy points was to use an effective CAD conversion tool that can enhance better model conversion without losing the integral model features; Here is BIMDeX, a solution with such eminence for a credible model conversion.

BIMDeX, has its own proprietary file format called ‘BXF,’ that is not a one like the primitive native file formats. This BXF format acts as a bridge between two software solutions, taking the model to the other software with all the essential design data information.

Take for example, BIMDeX is converting the model from AutoCAD to SolidWorks; here application converts the .dwg file to .sldasm/ .sldprt through the BXF file without affecting the model information and features. 

BIMDeX has the exporter and importer plugins that are installed in the respective applications, and through that the models can be transferred without any hindrances. BIMDeX resolves most of the limitations when using the universal file formats like STEP, IFC etc., by converting intelligent models to the end software. 

BIMDeX converts the models with the essential metadata, with a lot of customizable options for the users to provide the desired CAD file conversion. 

Conclusion

Conducting an effective CAD model conversion paves the way for various perks for the Architectural, manufacturing and Engineering industries that includes ideal collaboration as well. That said, it is also important make sure that no essential features are left out during the conversion process. Using a credible solution like BIMDeX can ease the process where the user gets significant model conversion and complete data conversion without feature loss. BIMDeX is not limited to this as it has much more to deal with pragmatic CAD model conversion. Get in touch with BIMDeX to know more.