Protect engineering, surfaces for visualization
I guess this topic has been brought up many times in the past, but I couldn´t find the answer. I need to export files form Solid Edge ST7 so that users who recive them can only visualize external surfaces. I need the inner faces of the solid to be erased so that the clients couldn´t get the thikness of the product. Wich file format would you choose and how is it done? Is there any other way for protecting files?
Thanks a lot!!
3 Answers
I don't know Solid Edge, but if I had to do something similar in solidworks I'd create a surface feature (zero thickness by definition) via 'knit' or 'copy' of all the external surfaces and export that newly created surface, probably in STEP or IGES format.
Like Robert, I don't know Solid Edge.
SOLIDWORKS has a Defeature tool which is made for this type of work. Maybe see if Solid Edge has a similar tool? It would likely have a different name.
The Defeature tool is really not needed though. It would be simple enough to save off a duplicate file. Then edit the duplicate by deleting features, or filling in the spots you don't want anyone to see.
At the end, export a Step file. If the people requesting the model insist of a Solid Edge model, just import the Step file, and save it as a Solid Edge part.
In ST7 your only option is to do as other users have suggested; create a new part and manually copy the exterior surface.
In ST10 there is new tools to do that automatically from an assembly
