Hi everybody,

I'm working with imported surfaces to apply some features (thicken, shell, extrusions...) and I'm trying to find out the best workflow to do it while I'm able to modify the original surface into its native software (Rhino, Ux, Alias...) and get it "refreshed" on my feature tree absorbing (as much as possible) the features I applied to the first version surface.

Since I started testing this workflow I've been playing with a cube that I model out of SW, import it and apply a shell feature on it. Then, I go to the first modeler, I do a simple one-axis-scaling and I export it again. I thought that editing the import feature to refresh the file I would get an instant modification in my SW part, also into the assemblies where that part is integrated... but life is not that easy (even when you are working with a ******* cube).

My main questions are:

1. What is the best format to import surfaces into SolidWorks? Around here I've read that IGES is not a good option and many people recommend using parasolid.

1.1. If parasolid is the best option, how do I export open surfaces? Closing them to extract the good faces once inside SW? Alternatives?

2. How can I reach a feature tree smart enought to compare the original imported surface with the modified one in order to not to crash completely?

I would like to hear from your own experience with similar workflows, refreshing issues with imported surfaces or whatever related that you can consider useful.

Thank you so much!!