If you mix an interest in web design with an interest in SolidWorks you get a hideous amalgamation of 3D graphics, silly phrases and coffee stains. Couple that with a frustrating inadequacy of font types and its basically pure madness.
The Problem
Adobe Flash, formerly Macromedia Flash, opened up a lot of possibilities for web development, but it was painful developing 3D vector graphics. Electric Rain came along with Swift3D, but if you’re use to working in programs like SolidWorks, it was still, but slightly less painful to create 3D geometry.
So, how do you go from SolidWorks to Flash? A few downloads and 4 steps later you’ll have just what you need.
Ok, there’s basically 4 steps:
- Open SolidWorks File
- Save As .3ds
- Import .3ds
- Generate .flv
The first step is to get your model into a format that can be used by Flash. Getting an image of your model into Flash is one thing, but getting some actual 3D data in is quite different. You’ll need some other programs to do conversions. It’s all pretty simple, but the final step can be a little tricky.
While it’s nice to have you don’t need SolidWorks to do this, just the SolidWorks model file. Ok, let’s run through it step by step.
- Open SolidWorks File
In Rhino, (free rhino evaluation here.) you can directly import a SolidWorks part or assembly. Very simple. Select File, Import and choose the model to wreak havoc on. - Save as 3ds
Again, pretty straight forward, File, Save As… and select 3Dstudio (.3ds).Another way to do the last two steps is to download the free version of MoI (Moment of Inspiration Beta). Save your model in SolidWorks as an .IGS file, import it into MoI, then export it as a .3ds file.
- Import .3ds
In, Swift3D (free eval here) go to File, Open from 3ds and select your file. - Generate .flv
Now you can do a lot more in Swift3d, like animations and rendering, but to simply get it into Flash, select the Preview and Export Editor, select Flash Movie (.flv) or another appropriate options from the pulldown on the left and hit the Export Selected Frame button all the way over on the right.
Programs you need:
Rhino (Free Evaluation)
Swift3D (Free Evaluation)
Optional (but nice to have):
SolidWorks (no free version)
MoI (Moment of Inspiration) (Free Beta)
Adobe Flash (Free Evaluation)
Those are the basics of it. You can do A LOT more with each of these apps, but this should get you off to a good start.
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SolidSmack is a very small behemoth of an online community about 3D CAD, technology, design, robots, and ninjas… Ok, maybe not ninjas so much, but those guys are COOL so there just might be something about some dang ninjas.
{ 18 comments }
I was able to import data from Solidworks to .3ds by using 3D Studio… I exported an .stl file. 3D Studio can read both .stl (meshed surface) and IGES (nurb surface). Then I could export to 3D Rain. I haven’t done anything with that in a long time! I may have to check out the new version of 3D Rain, my version 1.0 created some pretty large flash files…
hey Charles good point. Use 3ds to get a 3ds.
The new version of Swift3d is much better, smaller files, easier to use, may be a bit pricey if you don’t use it all the time, but still lots of fun to mess with. do you do web stuff?
supercalifragilisticespialadocious!
Devon
Looks cool. Lets see some examples of the finished product!
I used to. It paid for a hefty chunk of my engineering school. After I get done with taxes I plan to revamp my personal page; it is down right boring right now. I used Swift before to do fly-in 3D text, and rotating text. I’m afraid the site it went on is now defunct. I will have to download the new trial and see how it does compared to my old version!
supercalifragilisticespialadocious!
Devon
Looks cool. Lets see some examples of the finished product!
Is anyone aware of a flash tool that allow manipulation / inspection of a 3D model? Perhaps Swift3D provides this?
Hey Keith, there’s a quick example at the bottom of the post. thanks.
Is anyone aware of a flash tool that allow manipulation / inspection of a 3D model? Perhaps Swift3D provides this?
I typically use 3DS Max for Swift3D/Flash stuff, but it's nice to know the workflow for doing a Solidworks model.
I typically use 3DS Max for Swift3D/Flash stuff, but it’s nice to know the workflow for doing a Solidworks model.
Hi! Thanks for an informative post!
How would I go about if I want a SolidWorks 3D put into flash and add interaction like turning it arount and zoom in/out?
Thanks!
Hi André, You would have to add some advanced scripting. Are you familiar with Flash at all? Check out FlashKit.com
Great article!!! Good to know. I looked for this solution last week.
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I have just been looking this up myself & read that the new swift 3d has an export using papervision 3d which makes an interactive file!
http://www.erain.com/Products/Swift3D/Papervisi...
I have just been looking this up myself & read that the new swift 3d has an export using papervision 3d which makes an interactive file!
http://www.erain.com/Products/Swift3D/Papervisi...
This topic is usefull for me, it will be much better if it recommends some releated free softwares.
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