channels menu

get slp


Introduction

This converter allows GIG users to import Pro/Engineer data from Parametric Technology Corporation directly into GIG. The converted data can be rendered in GIG using ELECTROGIG's proprietary raytracer and then output to transparency, print, or video for high quality presentations. The converted files can also be animated in GIG to produce high quality animations.

Some Basics

The GIG Pro/Engineer Converter is based on the Pro/Engineer render file format generated by Pro/Engineer version 8.0. To write a file in the Pro/Engineer render file format, see section 7 of the Render section of the Pro/Engineer Interface Guide. The Pro/Engineer render file can be converted into GIG facets, which can be saved, modeled, and rendered like any other GIG model. Models containing 300,000 facets have been rendered successfully on a Silicon Graphics workstation with 16 MB Internal memory and 55 MB swap space.

How to use the GIG Pro/Engineer Converter

Some knowledge of GIG, UNIX, and the configuration of your workstation is required before using the GIG Pro/Engineer Converter. A render file from the cad model must first be generated in Pro/Engineer version 8.0. The file name must have the extension '.slp' (in lower case) and must be moved or copied to the 'intlib' directory of the project chosen by the GIG user.

Example (for copying the Pro/Engineer render file):

Assume that the user is currently in the directory where the render file is stored. If the render file has the name 'test.slp' and the user's project is named 'convert', then the following command would be executed: 

cp test.slp  ~gig/projects/convert_prj/intlib

The intlib directory of the currently active project could also be accessed using the environment variable LD: 

mv test.slp $LD
This command will move the file 'test.slp' to the intlib directory of the currently active project. Now a copy of the Pro/Engineer render file has been placed in the correct directory.

Select the get slp button from the channels menu in the GIG interface and select the file you want to convert from the selection list. You can choose to convert the volume bounded by facets to real solids. Intersecting the converted model or rendering it in transparency with refraction index is then possible. (When the volume bounded by facets is not a closed model and has been converted to real solids, an undesired effect may result by rendering it.) The converted file can be saved and used as a normal GIG model.

Attributes look-up table

Attributes can be automatically assigned to Pro/Engineer models during conversion to GIG. This can be done by creating a ColorMap file in the intlib directory of GIG. The file has to be placed in the intlib directory of your current project with the extension: '.cmp'. The name of the ColorMap must be the same as the slp file.:The name of the attribute must be included at the end of the line.

The cmp file must contain low and high values for red, green, and blue. Example of a cmp file:

red		green		 blue

0.9   1.0 	0.9   1.0  	 0    0.1   gold

0.5   0.6  	0.2   0.3 	 0    0.2   wood
Now (when in Pro/Engineer) if you assign a color to an object with 95red, 95 green and 0blue, and you convert the file to GIG, it will have a RGB color of (0.95 0.95 0), which is within the gold attribute range. The gold attribute will now automatically be assigned to this object (of course the gold attribute must be saved first with save attribute in the attributes menu).

Channels Menu: get slp

To convert Pro/Engineer render files in to files that can be read and used as GIG Models:

Click the get slp button to activate it. The selection submenu will then be displayed where you can make your selection.
Next the following prompt will appear:

Does this surface form a solid (y/n)?
In response to this prompt, type y(es) if you want the volume bounded by converted facets to be interpreted as a solid. Intersecting the model or rendering it in transparency with refraction index is then possible. The Pro/Engineer render file will be converted to a GIG facetted model which can be saved and used as a normal GIG model.

See also (above):

How to use the Pro/Engineer Converter on the placement of the Pro/Engineer render file before converting, confile.