How to Switch the OD Mesh On/Off

Pulldown menus

Use the pulldown menus

Use the Unigraphics NX DXF building capability to create parts for TubeCAD Pro.

Step 1: Export the Drawing as a DXF from the General CAD Package

Design the tube in general CAD package. This is an image of the DWGeditor program from SolidWorks. It is based on the CADopia software package.

If you receive DXF files from customers, then it is appropriate to use a general CAD program like CADopia to check that the file is setup properly:

The tube centerline needs to be placed on a unique layer.
The tube arc centerlines should be placed on another unique layer.
There should be no extraneous entities (lines or arcs) on those layers.

If you have made changes, then after the drawing meets these qualifications, export the drawing to a new DXF file that can be imported to TubeCAD Pro.

Step 2: Load TubeCAD Pro and Initialize the Units

Load TubeCAD Pro.
If your incoming part was drawn in inches, then press the New Part in Inches button. (This is the button with the blue ball.)
If your incoming part was drawn in millimeters, then press the New Part in Millimeters button. (This is the button with the red ball.)

Step 3: Start the DXF File Import Feature

In the File pulldown menu, select the Import - DXF File command. Select the DXF file to import then press OK.

Select DXF file.
Select the centerline layer name and the centerline arc layer name
Press "Load File"

Step 4: Organize the Layout

The display will change. It may look something like this. If you see nothing, then press the Zoom Extents feature.

Type the word "auto" in the command line and press the Enter key.
Enter "4" and press Enter. This selects the most comprehensive formatting available for TubeCAD Pro layouts.
The layout will reorganize itself like this: