Convert Traditional Solid Edge Models to Synchronous (On the Edge Solid Edge Tutorial)

The Solid Edge Convert option allows users to convert traditional history-based models to Synchronous Technology.

Editor's Note: This tutorial courtesy of Siemens PLM Software.

In a previous article, I looked at Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology in detail and how best to adopt Synchronous Technology. To help you choose when to use Synchronous Technology, safeguard you existing data, and meet current deadlines this latest version of Solid Edge provides two distinct ways to work. This month I’ll be taking a look at how to convert traditional history-based Solid Edge models to synchronous.
If you are looking for more efficient ways of working, edit existing parts more easily or simply want to try out new modeling strategies using existing data, Synchronous Technology is the place to start and converting existing traditional files is a simple process.

The Solid Edge Convert option allows users to convert traditional history-based models to Synchronous Technology.

Modeling using Synchronous Technology allows you to edit your designs without concern for the feature order to make instant changes and there's no need to preplan your designs. At the same time you can add 3D driving dimensions to maintain design intent and because live rules monitor geometric conditions you are able to simple drag geometry at will and have related faces update in the same edit.

You do not have to convert existing models to synchronous to continue to work on them. Opening traditional Solid Edge files in Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology does not automatically convert your data -- a deliberate move so you don’t unwittingly overwrite any data. Open a traditional file in Synchronous Technology and you will be presented with traditional modeling tools that allow you to work as you are used to.
If you want to start converting your traditional history-based model to Solid Edge the following example shows you how.

Exercise: Converting Traditional Solid Edge Models to Synchronous

The Convert option allows you to start the conversion of traditional models to synchronous. Solid Edge displays the Select Documents for Conversion dialog (Figure 3).

Before you begin the process, back up your data or make a copy of the files you are going to use. The conversion process converts the original file without creating a copy or duplicate files.

First, while in Solid Edge, close all documents

Select the Convert menu item under the Application Button to start the command (Figure 2).

The Conversion dialog provides options to convert on a file-by-file basis, file status, and additional conversion comments.

Select the Part or Assembly file to convert to start the conversion. Conversion is done on a per-part or per-assembly basis. Once a part or assembly has been selected, the interface will list any files that will not be converted or parts with external links that should be investigated. The actual conversion process is fast and once complete, you can continue modeling or editing with Synchronous Technology. This process is not a translation but an intelligent data reading process.

Differences Between Synchronous and Traditional Models

Now that you know how to convert your files, let's look at what you can expect to see from the results. First the file extension will be the same so any links in a PDM system will remain intact. In fact, links to other Solid Edge documents will be maintained so drawings will update and retain applied dimensions, assemblies will still contain the correct part and in its original position, and parts lists will display any original part numbers, descriptions, and assigned materials.
When it comes to the actual part, the previous history-based feature tree becomes a feature-independent feature collection. This independence gives you the ability to sort, delete, and reorder features without model regeneration or risk of breaking unrelated geometry. Select features such as patterns and holes to become "procedural features" meaning they still reside in a feature-independent collection, but parameterized edits can be made. While Synchronous Technology lets you edit geometry directly, any underlying sketches are retained and stored in a sketch bin -- a handy repository should the sketch be needed elsewhere. Any 2D dimensions applied to the sketch will be automatically added to the model as 3D driving dimensions. This lets you make edits directly to the 3D model, bypassing the overhead of the sketch compute cycle.

Conclusion

While Synchronous Technology is a new technology, Solid Edge users have a choice as to what modeling technology to use. And because of the way the two different modeling technologies have been implemented, users have a seamless way of working in either. If you need to maintain existing workflows, you can do so without interruption, but have total flexibility in adopting these powerful concepts at a comfortable rate.
Stay tuned for more on Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology next month.