Importing SAB and/or SAT files

[dogon1013]

Anyone have any luck importing files into MakeVR?

[dogon1013]

I think I figured it out....mostly.

with the help of an SABSATconverter ( https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?t=6619&start=10 ) I was able to load in some decently complex CAD files created on Solid Edge. Even a complex assembly came in as multiple seperate part files, though they were not positioned correctly.

The trick seems to be naming them something simple. I used cube.sab and then put it into the right temporary folder that is created when MakeVR loads. (the one with the other .sab files). I also copied an .rgb file and named it cube.rgb. Not sre if that was needed though.

This also worked as a way to transfer the files created on MakeVR into Solid Edge, though the scale was WAY huge.

[srhansted]

Hi dogon1013... it sounds like you're ahead of the game! : )

But, for your information: MakeVR reads and writes the ACIS CAD engine’s native file format (.sab and .sat Version 7). The objects contained in these files may be modified with any of MakeVR’s tools, including the Booleans, Mirror, Asymmetric Scale and many more.

Many CAD modelers, including SolidWorks, Autocad, and Revit, export this format.

And, the .rgb file simply serves as an icon for the geometry file in your folder.

if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask them here, or feel free to contact me directly at [e-mail]

[Olga Pankova]

Hi, I am trying to import some .SAT and .STL files into MakeVR Pro. What is the correct process ? I have found what I think is the correct folder on the PC .. but all the files have a .vpk exension - any help would be appreciated .. I have copied the .SAT and .STL files as is and have also added the .vpk extension to the end. I have been able to create my own subfolder (and it does appear in the menu) - I can create a .rgb file and it looks like the name appears in my menu folder .. but I cannot seem to get the actual model. thanks Olga

[76561198342315838]

Place your SAT/SAB files in Documents/MakeVR/User Objects, and place STL files in Documents/MakeVR/Exports.

[srhansted]

Originally posted by Olga Pankova:

Hi, I am trying to import some .SAT and .STL files into MakeVR Pro.

Hi Olga... please just keep in mind that when you import .stl files you won't be able to perform any of the CAD based functions on them. You'll be able to grab and scale them but, as they're polygonal meshes and have no concept of their interiors, the Boolean operations won't work.
And any Version 7 .sab and .sat files will work just fine.

[Olga Pankova]

Hi all. Thank you ! - I've been able to access my .STL files .... when attempting to delete a .STL in my world .. the delete does not work on .STLs .. any thoughts ?

[Olga Pankova]

Hi, I want to have others see my world .. outside of MAKEVR .. is there a free viewer ?

[dogon1013]

I'm glad to see native SAT import built into the pro version. Using that converter was annoying.

with that said, can we get SAT EXPORT? Most CAD software will not read SAB, and then we are stuck with that anoying converter.

[srhansted]

Hi dogon1013... I'm afraid that currently we don't have .sat export, but per your request, we will be putting it on the list for a future release.

[srhansted]

Originally posted by Olga Pankova:

Hi all. Thank you ! - I've been able to access my .STL files .... when attempting to delete a .STL in my world .. the delete does not work on .STLs .. any thoughts ?

Hi Olga... you are indeed correct that delete of .stl files doesn't work in the current release. It was something that slipped passed us, sorry! But, it has been fixed and delete will function in the next build we release.
In the meantime, what I find myself doing is just scaling them down as small as I can and hiding them underground, or somewhere.
Again, I apologize for this oversight but you'll have a fix for it soon.

[srhansted]

Originally posted by Olga Pankova:

Hi, I want to have others see my world .. outside of MAKEVR .. is there a free viewer ?

Hi again Olga... I use the RADFViewer from Spatial, the folks who develop the ACIS CAD we use. I imagine there are other .sab viewers out there but I just default to using the one from our source.
They used to provide a free downloadable standalone version, but it seems now they've transitioned to a free web-based viewer:
http://info.spatial.com/spatial-3d-web-viewer

One thing you'll need to keep in mind is that all the materials info on your models is added from MakeVR and not part of the CAD engine. So, when you load your models into the viewer they will not come in with any of the colors/textures you added. They'll basically be all grey.

I hope this helps!

[srhansted]

Originally posted by dogon1013:

I'm glad to see native SAT import built into the pro version. Using that converter was annoying.

with that said, can we get SAT EXPORT? Most CAD software will not read SAB, and then we are stuck with that anoying converter.

FYI dogon1013, I was just informed that the option to export your MakeVR Pro files as .sat has been added to next build and you'll have it when we release it.
Cheers!

[Doublehead]

Ok I need help here. Mind you, I plan on equiping my local City College (SBCC) with oculus or vive and your software, so your support is imperitive. I am studying 3d modeling, prototyping, and archetectural drafting. Using your software is a slap in the head for all the time spent imagining 3d perspective vs it just being in your hand (like your software). I was practially in tears. Works great on Oculus Rifrt. BUT BUT BUT BUT. Here is where its struggling and I think you can help me. The only reason to really use your software over the alternatives so far is the ability to load models in and begin to prototye unique inventions out of them to send straight to our massive array of 3d printers. And the problem is, when I convert .STL with 3dMAX, to SAT... Your software struggles and crashes every single time with more complex objects. Thats not going to work for us. I have great hope that the problem lies in my conversion process, possibly integrating too many polygons, or something. I/WE need a step by step guide to the best practice for converting STL (all you can get on almost all of the public design sites) into SAT or whatever is going to be handled best by MakeVR pro. It's not my number-crunching badass computer unable to handle it, its the software. Any, all guidence is SO appreciated (ASAP please, I need to setup this lab for summer classes). I really love what you are doing and want you to be the forefront of the future of prototyping. VR is really the only choice. Thanks for reading and Im excited to hear back.
-Shaun (infinity equals one, in the GEAR VR store).

[srhansted]

Hi Shaun... First of all, please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in replying. We've been wrapped up in pre- and post-GDC madness on this end.

Thank you for trying out MakeVR Pro. iIm glad to hear that's it working for you on the Rift, but quick disclaimer, it has not been fully ported to that system yet; it's still exclusively developed for the Vive. But, I know there are others out there using it with the Rift/Touch, which is pretty cool!

Now, to the matter at hand. What you're trying to do, while it makes a lot of sense, is a conversion path that is not presently supported. Currently we go from SAT/SAB to STL, but not the other way around. We plan on beefing up the conversion options down the road but i'm afraid it's just not possible right now.
FYI, MakeVR Pro reads and writes the ACIS CAD engine’s native file format (.sab and .sat Version 7). While I can't make any promises of success with the correct version, do you know what version of SAT you're converting to?

Steve --)----------

[Doublehead]

Thanks for the feeback! Well, now that Im significanly more experienced in 3d design and printing since I wrote that (taking classes at City College and bought my own printer), I'd guess the most effective way would be to pull it into Tinkercad (it imports STL flawlessly), do any minor edits I need precision on, then export as obj. Then convert OBJ. Do you have a reccomendation for converting OBJ to SAT/SAB?