On Thursday 17 February 2005 01:34 pm, Robin Laing wrote:
Matt Morgan wrote:
On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 09:52:50 -0700, Robin Laing wrote:
In the past week I have received two different files that are Solid Edge files. I have done a search but I cannot find a Linux version yet. I have gone to the manufactures site and looked at their viewer. I sent them a message asking for a Linux version of their software.
I ran a search on the Solid Edge website for "Linux" and came up empty.
Anyone know of a package that may be able to view the files? In all cases the files came from a second source and they don't have any control of the file format.
Your situation sounds a lot like my last few years in the working world. It seemed like neither any of our customers nor any of our vendors used a CAD/CAM system that had file formats that were compatible with either AutoCAD or ProE. The usual solution was that I would call their CAD guy and we'd try to find some intermediate file format that we could both use. Sometimes it worked flawlessly, sometimes some minor touch up was necessary, and sometimes we had to make another try.
Am I correct that these files are in Solid Edge's native format?
Are they solid models, 2D drawings or ???
Do you just want to view the files, or will it be necessary to edit them?
Matt mentioned Autodesk, but Autodesk drank Gates' KoolAid sometime in the late 90s when they moved to Windows and dropped all Unix support.
FWIW, late last night I posted about your dilemma to cad-linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; I'll forward any responses to you. So far, though, nada. The same guy who runs the mail list maintains a website that provides information and links to a number of linux cad/cam applications:
http://pfrostie.freeservers.com/cad-tastrafy/
-- cmg
For me it is just view. As far as I understand, these files are supposed to be promoted as a Acrobat for drafting files. They are supposed to take an Autocad 3d model and make it viewable. What tools or etc about it I have never bothered. I just email the file back and say it is useless. As I stated earlier, I am not dealing with the person that created the file.
I did all the normal searches and such before posting. No joy either. :(
I have viewers that will view DXF and DWG files, including sheets and this is all I need. I don't really do any drafting. Of course the excuse that Windows is all they need to support isn't cutting it around work here. Many have moved off of Windows Platforms when possible and if Windows is needed, they put in for a second computer, just for windows. None of this Dual-boot stuff.
I did email Solid Edge's support staff about lack of a Linux viewer.
I did a search on I believe Autocads site for a viewer and it came up with some hits. I went to the hits and was given a message to search the Internet for tools. Needless to say, their "did this answer your question?" box, was selected with a big poor and the comment basically was filled with why did you waste my time by having this answer.
I thank you for your help. Thanks for the link. I have tried some of these programs.
-- Robin Laing
