AP203/AP214 Import Settings dialog box

Used to change import settings. Opens when Settings > Import Settings is chosen from the Import STEP AP203/AP214 File dialog box.


AP203/AP214 Import Settings dialog box

General Settings

Contains two basic settings: Enable Logging and Fit Elements After Import.

Enable Logging

If on (Default), creates a log file on import. In most cases, the log file need not be created. However, a log file can be useful if the translation fails and you need to find out why it failed.

Fit Elements After Import

If on (Default), fits the elements in the screen window after import. In many cases, the imported model need not lie within the present screen extents. This might confuse the user as to whether the translation succeeded or not. Hence, it is better to keep this Toggle Button raised so as to fit elements after import.

Advanced Options

This group box contains advanced options. The default settings in this group have been set to optimize the imported model. The options in this group are related to import of Boundary Representation models.

Maximum Sewing Tolerance

Used only in the case of sewing the different faces of a sheet body together. This represents a maximum limit on the gap between the faces of a solid. The default setting is 0.0001. In most cases, stitching should be successful for this value.

In cases of a translation failure, you may need to increase this tolerance, but it is advised that it not be increased beyond 0.01. This might indicate invalid geometry or non-manifold solid that cannot be imported.

Maximum Edge Precision

Represents a maximum limit on the value of the tolerance that can applied to edges and vertices. As explained earlier, due to difference in accuracy between the exporting system and MicroStation, vertices may not lie on edges/faces, and edges may not lie on faces. To take care of such discrepancies, the translator's body healer tries to set local tolerances on the edges, and vertices. This option gives the user a choice of using a maximum limit on the tolerance. It is observed that value of 0.0001 (Default) optimizes most translations.

In cases of a translation failure, you may need to increase this tolerance, but it is advised that it not be increased beyond 0.01.

Import STEP solids as surfaces

The default is off. Only the surfaces of a solid, not the solid itself are imported. The information is imported using the Brep data. This feature is useful for visualization. If desired, the solid may be recreated within MicroStation from the surfaces. This path allows editing within MicroStation.

Sew Surfaces when importing class 2 files

If models are imported as surfaces (STEP class 2), there may be cases with non-manifold geometry or invalid bodies. For these models, users may import the body by constructing the faces of the body and stitching them together. If an export was performed primarily for visualization purposes, this box should be turned on.

Unite Bodies of Same Representation

A single body may have multiple lumps or multiple solids (connected regions). In such cases you may choose to unite these bodies into a single body or leave them as multiple bodies.

Check Parasolid body on import

If on, checks the imported model to see whether it conforms to MicroStation's restrictions.

It is strongly advised that you do not turn off this option.

Simplify Body

If on, a heuristic simplification is attempted. In many surface models, simple cylindrical or other analytical surfaces are represented by very high order B-splines (up to 16). This level of complexity may slow model display and editing. When on, the model is less accurate but smaller, which enables more rapid display and editing. However, simplification may also not always create valid models. If the translation fails, the user can turn off this option and try again.

Done

Accepts the chosen settings and closes the dialog box.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box without changing any settings.