[Xlars]

I have a potential client who have seen some of my works and asks me if I can make some photorealistic product renders for him ...

I would love to give it a try (and naturally use Maxwell for this job) ... but he mentions that the product models are from ProEnginer (and that the Step model, can be imported using Powersolids addin). I have not used Power Solids addin before). I normally work in 3ds Max. Before I call this client back I would like to hear if anyone here could clarify this for me.

Can someone help me out here?

(sorry if this is the wrong place to ask - I would would just love to get this assignement if possible)

[glebe digital]

Step files can be exported via PolyTrans also, I've got that here if you want some translations done.

[j_man]

he should be able to supply IGES I tihnk.

J.

[Xlars]

glebe digital: Thank you very much for this kind offer (and for your PM). I am not sure exately what the client wants but I now feel much more confident that it is possible to get the clients model into my 3ds max to work on from there

j_man: Ok thanks. I will look into it ..

I serched the web and found this information on the subject
http://www.okino.com/proe_tut.htm

[Miles]

I've got the best results by using Rhino as a go-between.

Import the STEP into Rhino and use the Rhinoll plug-in to mesh/save as an MXS file to use in Studio.

If you don't have Rhino you can use the evaluation version ad-infinitum, for this (it doesn't count as a save:)

The STEP extension for PolyTrans is expensive.....

[Xlars]

Miles: Thank you - man there are lots of ways to go about this to avoid problems. Sounds like a possible solution (especially that tip about the evaluation copy).. only reservation for me is that I would like to stay as much as possible in 3ds max (and not go into Studio where I have only very limited experience).

Seems like I have to try different routes and see what works out best ..

[Miles]

Hi Xlars,

Ok, thats's understandable.

I have had problems with NURBS to POLY conversions via other formats but using Rhinoll to create an MXS works well.

NL need to have options for MCAD programs other than Solidworks.

[glebe digital]

The STEP extension for PolyTrans is expensive.....

Yeah it's not that cheap......but has great controls for import/export parameters, which do save a lot of time when you get a large data-set of ProE stuff.........

[Miles]

The STEP extension for PolyTrans is expensive.....

Yeah it's not that cheap......but has great controls for import/export parameters, which do save a lot of time when you get a large data-set of ProE stuff.........

I'm sure it's very powerful but I, personally, couldn't justify the expense.

It's ironic, in this case, that Okino license the STEP import module from PTC

[Maximus3D]

Congrats on the freelance gig Lars

/ Max

[glebe digital]

I'm sure it's very powerful but I, personally, couldn't justify the expense.

It's ironic, in this case, that Okino license the STEP import module from PTC

Me neither, I got a client to pay for it on a job a while back.
Yeah the PTC thing makes me laugh...........what I really like most about PolyTrans is having all those translators in one place, with excellent poly-reduction tools and the batch-processing features. Really saves me a bunch of time.

[Xlars]

Congrats on the freelance gig Lars

/ Max

Thanks Max you are so kind, but I havent got the job yet (just hoping that it works out, and I get this assignment)

[Maximus3D]

Anytime but i'm confident you will find a solution to this problem, the other guys pitched in with some great tips and ideas and even offered help with converting the model for you.

If you have a chance then take the job ..i know i would.

/ Max

[Julian]

Hi Xlars - i often have exactly this issue - getting ProE into Max.

If all you are going to do is render then the cleanest solution is definately Polytrans BUT you will only get a polygon mesh into Max not Nurbs or Iges surfaces so bare this in mind (and you need the Granite pack add-on to even get this far), great for turning out a rendering, not so good for adjusting the model.

Getting the ProE people to export their files as Iges is the most sensible way to go - I then use nPowers Powertranslators which usually does a great job and you finish up with perfect Iges surfaces to work with.

Trying to import an Iges file into Max is not usually a great experience - it can take hours and you finish up with inverted faces and extra construction faces all over the place and if i remember it will be in Max's Nurbs format which brings its own problems!

PS-exchange is a conversion app that you can download for free and convert ProE to Iges (and many more formats) at the cost of US$50 per part - not bad if you only have a few bits to deal with. The beauty of using this app is that atleast you can see what you're dealing with beforehand as it displays a live rendered view on screen - you only pay when it comes to conversion time.

http://www.delcam.com/general/software/ps-exchange.asp

Rhino is undoubtedly the king of converters although you will need to feed it an Iges in this case and like others here I value each evaluation save very highly!

All the best with this - Julian

[Xlars]

Thank you for all your great advise here Julian. I spoke breefly with the client (but he was in a meeting) and will get back to me next week to talk more about this. But from what I understand we are talking about pure vizualisations ie. no changes of the models. If I land this job I will then start with the Polytrans conversion (assisted by Glebe Digital) and see how far that takes me ...

I will save your other suggestions for later use. Great

Btw. I am amazed by the help I get in this forum, you guys are just fantastic. Thanks