Exporting Ply Data

This task shows you how to export the ply data in IGES or DXF format.
Available in Composites Engineering Design (CPE) and Composites Design for Manufacturing (CPM).
Plies must already be flattened.
Open the Export1.CATPart document.
You can select only one export format.
  1. Click Ply data export as IGES or DXF .
    The Export Ply dialog box is displayed.

  2. Select the entities to be exported (in our scenario, we selected the Stacking).
    It can be a ply, a ply sequence, a plies group or a stacking.

    Multi-selection of plies is possible.
  3. Click ... to select the directory where you want to store the export file. We have selected E:\tmp.

  4. Select one export format.
    Three formats are available:

    • IGES 3D(3D contours):3D engineering geometry and 3D manufacturing geometry.
    • When this option is selected, the Options for 3D contours are available:
      • Take thickness update into account allows you to export the thickness update of the 3D geometry.
      • Two modes of thickness update are available:

        • Stacking: all the plies of the stacking preceding the selected plies are included in the export

        • Plies group Only: all the plies preceding the selected plies but in the same ply group are included in the export.

    • IGES 2D(flatten geometries): export in 2D (flatten geometry only).
    • DXF(flatten geometries): export in 2D (flatten geometry only).
    • When the IGES 2D(flatten geometries) or DXF(flatten geometries) option is selected, the Options for flatten geometries are available:
      • select the check boxes of the texts you want to include in the file:
      • then select how you want to write those texts:
      • Those texts will be added as text entities in the DXF or IGES 2D files and located close to the strategy point.
    To export text annotations as texts, select the Export mode option Semantic or Structured in Tools>Options>General>Compatibility>DXF or IGES 2D.
  5. If you have selected IGES 2D(flatten geometries) or IGES 2D(flatten geometries), the Include options become available:

    You can choose to include:
    • the Strategy Point: seed point defined during  the producibility analysis,

    • or the Rosette: local rosette stored under each ply,

    • you can select one or both options, or none.

  6. Choose how you want to create the file:

  7. Click OK to export the ply data. The export files are created in the directory you have selected. All follow the same naming rule, that is:
    Ply.number_Material_Direction.ExportType, e.g. Plies Group.1_Ply.1_KEVLAR4_45.igs

 
 
 
 
  • If you open a .dxf or .ig2 file in CATIA:
    A CATDrawing is displayed.


    Details of the Rosette, Part name, Entity name, Direction name and Material name


     

  • If you open an .igs file:
    A 3D curve is displayed.