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Users of feature-based parametric modelers are constantly frustrated by the fact that imported models often are treated as “dumb solids” by the CAD package since the features cannot be recognized by the application.
A more accurate description would be “Dead Body” since you are usually faced with rebuilding the model from scratch to get a workable model that you can modify or use for creation of tooling bodies, etc. So much for all the fancy bells and whistles!
When you use KeyCreator, you don’t have this problem, since any imported model is treated like a native model.Here’s the same part illustrated above created in SolidWorks.You can see the extensive feature tree documenting the steps required to build it.
Using KeyCreator’s Direct SolidWorks translator, we can quickly import the model into our system.
You’ll notice the wealth of other translation options that are also available.
The model is imported and is ready for modifications.We don’t have the SolidWorks feature tree but we don’t need it!
We could quickly add 0.25 thickness to the three top surfaces to beef up the wall around the large horizontal bore in the part using KeyCreators powerful Offset Face tool and the Smooth Face Logic Option.
This is actually much easier to do in KeyCreator than in the native SolidWorks File!
The Offset Face tool is one of several dozen powerful face modification tools that are unique to KeyCreator.
We could also quickly modify the four simple through holes in the part to be countersunk holes by using the powerful Edit Hole Function and Face Logic to instantly identify the pattern.
Note that the original holes were created in SolidWorks using the Cut Function, not the Hole Wizard.
And we did not import the Circular Pattern Information from SolidWorks to identify the pattern!
Why? Because we don’t need to! KeyCreator’s powerful algorithms instantly identify the hole pattern and assign a feature status to the holes so that they can be quickly modified using our Smart Edit Hole Technology!