Is DWG a CAD file | CAD basics about different drawing file extensions

Generally in AutoCAD & NX , the drawing file is store in DWG format. DWG format file is one of the CAD file .

If we create a drawing sheet in NX or AutoCAD, we can save it in DWG format. But there might be some data loss or data inaccuracy if we transfer the dwg file from AutoCAD to NX or vice versa.

Other CAD softwares like Catia, Solidworks, Solid Edge, ProE etc uses different file extensions for drawing.

Catia stores the drawing sheet with extension .Catdrawing

ProE stores the drawing sheet with extension .drw

SolidEdge stores the drawing sheet with extension .dft

Solidworks stores the drawing sheet with extension  .eDRW

The CAD drawing files created in a specific CAD software cannot be directly opened in other CAD software. Either we should export it into a neutral file format like AutoCAD drawing or the software should have importing license for the specific file format.

UG NX : Creating a Simple L Bracket with two fixing holes :Tutorial

Before start creating the component, you have to make a quick plan in your mind that how you are going to make the model.



For example, for the below L Bracket, we are going to draw a L Shaped, 2D sketch with required dimensions.
Extrude it to form a 3D L-shaped bracket. Finally to make fixing holes using hole feature.

• Open UG NX software. Go to File - New - and select model. Give a new model name called Bracket.prt . Remember where this file is stored in your computer.
• Once you created the new file, ensure that you are in Modeling Application.
• Go to Insert -  Sketch
• Now the tools that are needed to draw a sketch will appear in the bottom of the screen.
• Using line, arc curves create a L shaped sketch roughly with your own dimensions.
• Using Inferred dimensions, mark the dimensions. Marking all the necessary dimensions is known as constraining the sketch.
• Once you drawn the L-shaped sketch, Click on finish Sketch.

• Go to part navigator which appear in the left side of the screen. Here you can find the history of the component. Now you can see a Datum coordinate system and Sketch in the history tree.
• We are going to convert this sketch into a 3D model. Go to Insert - Design Feature - Extrude
• Now a form named Extrude will open in the screen. You have to fill from top to bottom and the * marked parameters are necessary to finish the operation.
• Select the curves of 2D sketch . Press Enter and enter the extrude start length as 0 and end length as some appropriate value. Press OK
• We are almost done with the bracket . Only thing remaining is Fixing holes.
• Go to Insert - Design Feature - Hole
• Choose the type of hole as simple hole.Select the surface you want to make the hole and specify the center position and click finish sketch.
• Change the Size of the hole dimension as you wish. Press OK

Now we have obtained the L-shaped bracket with two fixing holes.

UG NX - Modeling : Introduction :

UG NX - Modeling : Introduction :

In Modeling Application we can design 3D models using commands like Extrude , Revolve , Sweep, Variational sweep , Adding hole, Embosses, Darts etc and Extending surfaces, Trimming Surfaces.
Apart from these basic operations some of the advance operations are available to accomplish some complex features of a component.



The file and storage concept is similar to usual excel, word documents. So ,if you are familiar with those file storage concepts, then you will feel easy to work with creating, saving and editing UG files.

If we want to design a 3D component, we have to start with a 2D sketch. Every design software work in this way.

Step 1: Create a 2D Sketch
Step 2: Convert in to 3D model using options available in the CAD software.

For example if you want to create a solid 3D cube with a hole,

Step 1: Sketch a 2D square
Step 2: Extrude it into a 3D cube
Step 3: Sketch the 2D circle of hole diameter in the surface of cube.
Step 4: Extrude with remove material option to get the hole.

This is a simple illustration and this methodology applicable even for a complex part.

We will start with a simple component which explains some basic tools of 2D Sketching followed by 3D operations like Extrude, revolve etc.

As a exception, there are 3D curves , which can be converted into A-surfaces (smooth finished surfaces)

User Interface of Unigraphic NX | Comparing Ideas NX interface

UG NX is the advancement of I-deas software. Because of the robust nature of I-deas and to overcome its drawback to compete with other software like CATIA, ProE, Solidworks etc , Unigraphic NX was developed.

So , those who were worked in I-deas may find little easier to cope up with this software.



The User Interface used in latest versions of UG NX is called ribbon interface. It is similar to the interface that is used in Microsoft Office Tools like MS word, MS excel etc.

Ribbon Interface :

What is Ribbon Interface ? It simply indicates that most of the options will be available in the screen itself as a set of icon groups. We don't need to waste time in searching the options inside any menu lists.

In addition to the icons available in the screen, a classic way of menu lists also available in UG NX.

So , you can find the same option in two or three places. This is just to enhance the user experience and to improve the easiness to work in the software.

UG NX: File structure and basic terms in UG NX

File structure and basic terms in UG:

• The components, Assembly and drawings that we create in UG NX are stored in the extension with .prt
• The finite element model (mesh model) that we create in Advanced simulated module are stored in the extension .fem
• The simulation file (With boundary conditions and results) will be stored as .sim extension.
• And the sub assembly and components used in an Assembly are stored as separate prt files. So, we have to call, load all sub assembly components when we are working in an assembly.

Basic Terms and definitions:

It will be easier to work with the software if we are familiar with the following terms and definitions :

1.Component :
Component denotes a individual part . In some software, it is called as part. In UG we call it as components.
Example : If you are modeling a Fan. The whole set up is called as FAN assembly. Individual parts like Fan wing, Motor, Bolts, Nuts are called as components.

2.Solid Body: 
A component may consists of one or more closed surface groups called as solid bodies. If you have to calculate properties like mass, volume then it should be a closed surfaces ( solid bodies)
Sheet Body: If the component consists of opened ended surfaces, then they can be categorized as Sheet body.
Faceted body: Faceted body is a kind of light weight surfaces which do not contains any history of how the component is created.

3.Edge : The meeting point of two surfaces is called as Edge

4.Face: Surfaces are called as face in UG NX. A component consists of more face. For example, a cube consists of six faces.

5.Curves : Curves are the basic elements to build a 2D sketch. The curve may be a line, arc, circle, ellipse, spline etc.

6.Feature: Feature is a certain operation performed to build a component. Many features make a complete component. For example Extrude, Rrvolve, extend, trim are called as features.

NX: Modeler error : Please report Fault in NX Unigraphics

Troubleshoot: NX: Modeler error : Please report Fault:

This is considered to be one of the worst error of UG NX 7.0 , UG NX 7.5 , UG NX 8.0

Causes:
The error can be experienced in following cases:
1.While working in Drafting module, you can get this modeler error if you are trying to create a base view
2.While trying to load components in assembly
3.While doing some Analysis operation like mass calculation, Inertia, CG calculation etc



Reason for this Modeler Error:
The error will appear only when some of the surfaces or solid, sheet bodies are not proper in a specific component

Troubleshoot:
Here is the trouble shooting process:

1.First you have to spot out in which component, these corrupted surfaces exists. So, if you have a  big assembly consisting 10 parts , load 5 parts and make the operation (like creating a view, calculating mass etc). Then load remaining 5 parts. Now you can spot, which half has the corrupted surface. Among the half with error, eliminate another half. Finally you can find the corrupted part in this technique.

2.Inside the part you have to find the corrupted surface. This can be done by the same method said in step 1. In history tree, find out the corrupted face using the same method explained in step 1.

3. Finally you may delete that corrupted face and create a new one to avoid this modeler error.

You can also try model clean up options to rectify such small surfaces.

NX Drafting: Change Colored Drawing into Black and White Monochrome Display in Unigraphics NX

If you want to change the Drawing sheet to black in UG NX, Go to Preferences → Visualisation → Background → Choose Black Color. You can choose whatever color you wish.

If you want to make the drawing sheet as Monochrome Display (White Backgroud and Black Lines) , then refer the following procedure.

Those who worked on I-deas and transformed to NX UG would have been certainly felt that , Unigraphics is not as much as powerful like I-deas in handling with huge data particularly those who are working in Drafting of large assembly.

This article will help you to easily convert your large colorful drawing sheet into black and white drawing, which enable you to take pdf or tiff file of the black and white document.

Step 1: Make active , the drawing you have to convert into black and white.
Step 2: Go to Preferences -> Visualization
Step 3: In color tab , Enable Monochrome Display ; By default , show width options would be enabled. You can switch it off as you wish
Step 4: Click OK
Step 5: Now You can see your colorful drawing appears as a black and white drawing.



You can export this drawing into PDF , or plot this drawing as cgm file or direclty send it to printer or plotter connected to your device.

Note:
Usually, people will follow , manually converting all curves and lines using Edit Display options.
It is time consuming and non reversible for large drawings.
So, Using Visulaization settings is easier and effective for Black and white display and at anytime you can switch it back to the color display for the drawing by disabling the Monochrome display option, described in above steps.