The following information may be helpful to those using Solid Edge to create 3D models for Photopia:

Q: How can I import models from Solid Edge into Photopia 2.0?

A: There are several possibilities for importing your Solid Edge models:

Option #1:

If you have AutoCAD in addition to Solid Edge, then you can convert the Solid Edge model to a 3D DWG file by following these steps:

1. Open your assembly model and save it to an ACIS (SAT) file. Be sure to check the option to include the construction geometry. If you forget this, then AutoCAD will not read the SAT file.
2. Import the SAT file into AutoCAD by choosing Insert / ACIS File from the menu.
3. Segregate the various solid parts onto different layers in AutoCAD. This will facilitate assigning materials in Photopia since materials are assigned to each layer in the model.
4. Set the mesh resolution with the FACETRES system variable. The default value of 0.5 is very low and results in a course polygon mesh approximating the shape of your model. We recommend you set the value to a higher level to create a more accurate part shape. If you are using Photopia 1.5, then a value between 5 and 8 is recommended. If you are using Photopia 2.0, then use the maximum setting of 10.
5. Export the solids to a 3D Studio files using the 3DSOUT command or by selecting File / Export from main menu and setting 3D Studio as the file type. Keep the default settings on the 3D Studio File Export Options screen.
6. Import the 3D Studio file into a new AutoCAD drawing using the 3DSIN command or by selecting Insert / 3D Studio from the main menu. Click the Add All button in the Available Objects section of the Import 3D Studio File Options screen and keep the rest of the settings at their default values.
7. Save the meshed parts to a DWG file. The DWG file can be imported into Photopia.
8. Using this method to convert an Inventor drawing into a meshed model for use in Photopia allows the relationship between the various parts in the assembly to be retained.
9. See Chapter 4 of the User’s Guide for additional information on importing DWG files using the Luminaire Import Wizard.

Option #2:

Photopia 2.0 accepts solid models in STL format (stereo lithography files). Some CAD programs allow STL files to be exported from the assembly model, while others do not. Exporting from the assembly is preferred since the assembly drawing includes the information that shows how each part is translated with respect to each other. These relationships are retained when the parts are exported from the assembly model. Solid Edge does not however, allow STL parts to be exported from the assembly model. Therefore, each part needs to be exported from the individual part files. The coordinates of each part are therefore relative to their own coordinate systems. If each part uses an origin (0,0,0) set to some arbitrary reference point on that part, then the parts will not import into Photopia with their correct relative positions. In this case, each part needs to be moved and/or rotated within Photopia’s CAD system to make the proper assembly. The extra work of moving/rotating each part within Photopia can be avoided if all individual part drawings are made with a common origin. For a lighting fixture, the most logical common origin is the center of the lamp or lamps, if there are several. If this convention is used, then all parts will import into Photopia in their proper relative positions.

Option #3:

An alternative to using SAT and STL files is to export the assembly model to an IGES or STEP file and then use a third party translator such as Polytrans or Rhino to convert the IGES or STEP file to a DXF or DWG file. The Photopia FAQ on our website includes full instructions for converting IGES files in Rhino to a DXF file for Photopia.

Q: How do I import a reflector profile exported from the Parametric Optical Design Tools into Solid Edge?

A: Follow these steps:

1. Rotate the parametric reflector so that its 2D profile is in the world XY plane in Photopia. Then export the 2D profile as a .DXF file from the Reflector Design View dialog. Note that Photopia’s Rotate command always rotates about the Z axes of the current CPlane. So if you need to rotate a reflector profile from the Front View into the Top View (which is the XY plane), then first set the CPlane to the Right Side View and then rotate –90 degrees about 0,0.
2. Start Solid Edge and select File / Open. Then pick .DXF as the file type and specify Normal.dft for the "Draft template." This will open the reflector profile exported from Photopia into a Draft View.
3. Select the 2D profile in the draft view and choose the option to edit that individual entity. This will put you into the Draft View Edit mode. (Note: If the Options in the AutoCAD Translation Wizard are set so that the "Map AutoCAD Model Space Entities to a Solid Edge Draft View" option is turned off, then the curve profile will import into the Draft View Edit Mode.)
4. Start a new part drawing in Solid Edge using Normal.par as the template.
5. Create a sketch and pick the desired plane.
6. Go back to the Draft View Edit mode Window. Select the curve and then right click your mouse and copy it to the clipboard.
7. Then switch back to the Part Sketch window and Paste the curve profile into the sketch.
8. Then start the Offset command, select the curve, enter an offset distance as the material thickness, and then finish the command being sure to offset it to the "outside" of the curve.
9. Then draw line segments to enclose both ends of the profile.
10. The part can then be extruded or revolved into a 3D model.