Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

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drmacro
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Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by drmacro »

To quote a question posed on another social media platform:

"Can anyone explain the difference between Part workbench -> Part -> Import CAD, vs just File->Open for a step file?
if I open a vendor step file, it's all transparent, and I can't apply colours or materials, If I "Import CAD" it comes in properly, and can be re-saved nicely for use in kicad for isntance."

:?:
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easyw-fc
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by easyw-fc »

drmacro wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 12:43 pm To quote a question posed on another social media platform:

"Can anyone explain the difference between Part workbench -> Part -> Import CAD, vs just File->Open for a step file?
if I open a vendor step file, it's all transparent, and I can't apply colours or materials, If I "Import CAD" it comes in properly, and can be re-saved nicely for use in kicad for isntance."
which are your STEP import settings?
have you a step file to test & display?
drmacro
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by drmacro »

Again, quoting the OP on Discord:

"I've tried all the tickboxes on preferences for step import though, and I can only make it worse. I mean. I can move on with my life for this part having it imported and re-exported, wsa just hoping to find out what I would noramlly use this "import cad" option for..."

I've asked him if he can provide the file...
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drmacro
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by drmacro »

Hmm...so it is as he says. On the left File>Import and on the right Part>Import CAD:
Snip macro screenshot-9f86a4.png
Snip macro screenshot-9f86a4.png (93.04 KiB) Viewed 736 times
The step file is too big for the forum, so: https://ttm.sh/qgt.stp
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easyw-fc
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by easyw-fc »

for what I see it seems there is only a different Draw style ( the first one is wired)

https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Std_DrawStyle
drmacro
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by drmacro »

easyw-fc wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 7:09 pm for what I see it seems there is only a different Draw style ( the first one is wired)

https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Std_DrawStyle
Nice try. ;) But, the draw style on both is As is.

And, no changes in the preferences on the File>Import one changes what you see.
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easyw-fc
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by easyw-fc »

please post your full FC release version...
I can reproduce the issue and also a different one changing FC version and import settings...
It seems the best is when using Assembly3 Link branch

Edit:
Part Import and Open Step file are using the legacy and the new STEP parser code routines.
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easyw-fc
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by easyw-fc »

it seems the model is done as a combination of shells instead of solids
I have exported the file from LinkBranch as Step, imported in FC Main, make solids from the resulting importing shells and this is the model resulting
qgt-exported.step.zip
(388.06 KiB) Downloaded 12 times
qgt-solid.step.zip
(251.65 KiB) Downloaded 12 times
FC has had frequently issues in handling shell step objects
qgt-shells-issue-loading.zip
(635.5 KiB) Downloaded 10 times
drmacro
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by drmacro »

easyw-fc wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 7:57 pm please post your full FC release version...
I can reproduce the issue and also a different one changing FC version and import settings...
It seems the best is when using Assembly3 Link branch
I'm using (Debian11) 0.21 (30492) with OCC 7.7. The person who asked is on 20.1 appimage (fedora36).
Edit:
Part Import and Open Step file are using the legacy and the new STEP parser code routines.

Hmm...is there, or could there be, a list of tips on effective use and trouble shooting of step usage?
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easyw-fc
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Re: Difference between Part Import CAD and File>Import

Post by easyw-fc »

drmacro wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 3:32 pm Hmm...is there, or could there be, a list of tips on effective use and trouble shooting of step usage?
I don't think it exists at the moment...
STEP is a real white rabbit hole :D
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