Import Model

The Mechanical Equipment Interface import utility enables the user to import geometric models of mechanical equipment into 3D models within Design.

STEP AP203 is a standard neutral file format for the exchange of product model data between CAD systems. AP203 files containing solid models of mechanical parts and assemblies can be produced by various Mechanical CAD systems. The imported data can be used to model Equipment and Volume Model items in Design.

The imported models may be individual components that can be used to model Equipment items in Design, or they may represent part of the overall design model that has been produced in another CAD system and needs to be combined with the Design model for visualization, clash checking, drawing and other operations.

The input to Import utility consists of STEP AP203 files that normally have the file extension .stp. Geometrical data is read from the input AP203 files and converted into Equipment or Volume Model elements in a Design database. Several AP203 files can be loaded in one process, each file generating an Equipment or Volume Model element.

AP203 models can be imported directly into the Design model or they can be imported into a storage area in a Design database where they can be stored and organized ready to use in the main Design model. Models stored in an imported model storage area are not considered to be part of the Design model.

The system automatically produces a log file into the PDMSUSER directory, detailing the history of the translation from the AP203 format, and reporting the number of translated, failed and ignored instances. The log file will be named the same as the imported .stp file with the file extension .txt.

The Import utility can be accessed by using the Graphical User Interface (GUI), or by using commands and command scripts to import data directly into the Design model.