When Pro/ENGINEER and 3D Animation Go on a Blind Date 👀
Exporting Pro/ENGINEER models for animation can feel like translating from Latin to emoji: technically possible, but with a high risk of misunderstandings. But don't worry, with these tips you'll avoid your mechanical assembly ending up looking like a modern abstract ballet. 💃
"The secret is to maintain the parent-child relationships between parts, because in 3D animation family really does matter"
Exporting: The Art of Not Mixing Everything Like a Salad
So your parts don't end up forming an indivisible block:
- Use IGS or STEP formats - They're like the bilingual translator between CAD and 3D
- Avoid "Flat" mode - Unless you want a 50kg digital solid
- Check export options - Look for "All parts" like it's the "Don't ruin my work" option
Importing: When Parts Find Their Place in the World (3D)
When bringing your models to Blender or 3ds Max:
- Verify that the hierarchy is maintained (dads are still dads)
- Adjust the scale (no one wants a screw the size of a building)
- Check normals and topology (so it doesn't look like a 90s glitch)
If everything goes well, your parts should preserve their relationships like in a functional family. If not... well, at least you'll know what not to do next time. 😅
Animation: Where the Magic (and the Headache) Happen
For realistic mechanical movements:
Constraints are your friends: Parent Constraints for stable relationships, Rotation Constraints for synchronized movements (like gears that actually mesh).
Strategic keyframes: Animate the main movements first, then add details like vibrations or small adjustments.
Constant testing: Like baking, better to check every 5 minutes than to take out a burnt cake.
And remember: if everything fails, you can always say it's a "mechanical deconstruction art installation" and charge double. 🎨💰 But with this guide, we hope you don't reach that point... or at least, not too often.