topic Re: How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry? in 3D Part & Assembly Design

How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry?

Ben8 — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:25:27 GMT

Whichever file I import into Creo (I tried two separate vendors with Inventor, random Grabcad models, and even exporting simple block from Creo and then reimporting it back) - it only imports as a surface. The geometry is fine (no errors) and I can easily solidify it, but I don't seem to be able to find a way how to do this automatically. I am importing large assemblies made by subcontractors with hundreds of parts, so turning each part into solid isn't an option.

I have all geometry "enhancements" disabled, and all the other settings seemingly correct:

Regardless, the Import feature always defaults to "Add Surfaces".

Most often I am able to just change it to "Add bodies", or Solidify the geometry outside the "Import" feature - so there are no issues with the geometry I assume:

I looked but I couldn't find a config.pro setting to force Creo to default to "Add bodies" instead of "Add Surfaces" (or other means to solidify the geometry). Is there any way to do so?

Many thanks

Re: How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry?

StephenW — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:50:38 GMT

Here's my go to list of things I try (I believe I have seen other suggestion here on the commmunity also):

Offline (outside of PDMlink) and I adjusted import settings as below:

The next step is to set the import profile details.

Set Model accuracy to external. If you impose a conflicting accuracy on the import, it will likely have issues
In the topology tab, Uncheck Heal options, set Join surfaces from the same layer, group, or shell to yes, and set Solidify closed volumes to yes.

Other things I have done is imported the files in to solidworks or inventor and re-exported to other export types. My experience is solidworks and inventor either handle the import process better or make lots of assumptions to automatically get the solidification, but that's just my opinion, I have no documented evidence.

Also, most of my large assembly imports are for purposes of checking interface and clearance of my equipment to other equipment and generally not for precise design type purposes that require high fidelity geometry of unquestioned accuracy. If I need that sort of import, I am generally provided specific interface/fit information that is fully dimensioned and toleranced so I can independently verify accuracy of an import.

Re: How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry?

Chris3 — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:58:20 GMT

I will concur with @StephenW 's experience that Solidwork's import engine is more likely to produce solid geometry from a variety of other CAD sources.

Re: How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry?

tbraxton — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 14:44:27 GMT

If you intend to insert the geometry of the imported features as solids, you must set Solidify closed volumes to Yes in the import profile. You must also explicitly set Import type to Geometry in the import profile or the File dialog box as you cannot create surfaces and solids from curves or facet geometry.

Refer to the help files for specifics on how to save and designate default import profiles.

About Creating Format-Specific Profiles for Data Exchange Tasks

Re: How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry?

MartinHanak — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:46:07 GMT

Hi,

check whether intf3d_in_enable_imp_validation config.pro option is set to no. If this is true then set it to yes.

Re: How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry?

Ben8 — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:36:52 GMT

Yes, this was also important, but I learned it the hard way a couple of months ago. I have imported external cad and it had hundreds of the geometry warnings. Due to certain reasons I had to go through all of them manually. Thanks for mentioning here anyway, im sure it will be useful for other people looking into this topic!

Re: How to force imported geometry solidify the geometry?

Ben8 — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:35:02 GMT

Thank you, i already had everything as you say except "Join surfaces from the same layer" = yes. I didn't think that was necessary. After I changed it to Yes, i have been repeatedly importing solid geometry without issues. Thank you so much!