1. Hawk Ridge Systems
  2. Mechanical Design
  3. SOLIDWORKS CAD

Why Is 3D Interconnect Always Used When Importing Files in SOLIDWORKS 2024 SP2 and Later?

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Daniel Lawrence

Problem

Starting in SOLIDWORKS® 2024 Service Pack 2 (SP2), the 3D Interconnect translator is the only translator used when importing 3D CAD models. 

Even when the Enable 3D Interconnect option is unchecked, SOLIDWORKS continues to use the 3D Interconnect translator and its associated functionality. This change is documented in the What’s New in SOLIDWORKS 2024.

This behavior can cause confusion, especially since the User Interface under Tools > Options > System Options > Import > General has not been updated to account for the change made to the 3D Translators. This means that the parameters for the Legacy Translator are still shown, despite having no effect on the import process. These parameters are highlighted in the image below.

System Options with highlighted sections showing legacy import settings that no longer work

This issue has been documented and can be tracked in the following BR.

BR10000377704 - In SOLIDWORKS® 2024 SP2, the User Interface in Options > Import > General shows old parameters

Solution 1: User Interface

Because the user interface has not been updated to reflect the changes it can be confusing to find the location where import settings are adjusted. 

Enabling or disabling any of the Legacy Parameters will have no effect on the import process. Because of this, it is recommended to keep the Enable 3D Interconnect option checked to ensure the legacy parameters cannot be interacted with and avoid confusion. 

Instead, it is advisable to set parameters under:

  1. Navigate to Tools > Options > System Options > Import > STEP / IGES / ACIS (3D Interconnect).

    Systems options for file format STEP / IGES / ACIS (3D Interconnect).

  2. Navigate to Tools > Options > System Options > Import > Inventor / CATIA V5 / Creo / NX / Solid Edge (3D Interconnect).System Options, file format settings for Inventor/ Catia VS/ Creo/ NX/ Solid Edge

Solution 2: Import Files Without Maintaining a 3D Interconnect Link

Users who previously disabled 3D Interconnect to avoid maintaining a link to the original CAD file can achieve similar behavior using specific settings.

  1. Navigate to Tools > Options > System Options > Import.
  2. Under General, uncheck Create 3D Interconnect links.
  3. Under General, check Create external files.
SolidWorks System Options File Format Settings, Disabling 3D interconnect to avoid maintaining a link to the original CAD file

This configuration allows files to be imported without maintaining a live link to the source CAD data.

Solution 3: Re-Enable Legacy Translators Using the Windows Registry

In certain workflows, it may be necessary to use the legacy translators instead of 3D Interconnect. This can be accomplished by applying specific Windows registry keys.

The attached registry keys may be added to enable the use of the legacy translator. The attached zip file contains 2 registry files.

2024SP2-LegacyTranslators-ON.reg 
  Restores the Import functionality to how it was before 2024 SP2
2024SP2-LegacyTranslators-OFF.reg 
  Uses the new Import functionality where 3D Interconnect is the only available translator

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect registry changes can cause serious system issues. Only qualified users should perform these steps.

  1. Close SOLIDWORKS.
  2. Obtain the appropriate registry file:
    • 2024SP2-LegacyTranslators-ON.reg to restore pre-2024 SP2 import behavior.
    • 2024SP2-LegacyTranslators-OFF.reg to force 3D Interconnect-only behavior.
  3. Remove the .txt extension from the registry file name if present.
  4. Double-click the registry file.
  5. Confirm all registry prompts.
  6. Launch SOLIDWORKS.

Note that these registry entries are stored under HKEY_CURRENT_USER. If SOLIDWORKS registry keys are reset or renamed during a clean installation or troubleshooting process, the registry file must be reapplied.

Solution 4: Identify Which Translator Is Being Used During Import

The translator in use can be identified by the progress dialog displayed during file import.

  1. Start importing a 3D CAD file.
  2. Observe the progress dialog that appears.
  3. Compare the dialog style to known 3D Interconnect or legacy translator progress windows.

3D Interconnect Translator

3D Interconnect Progress dialog box

Legacy Translator

Legacy Translator Progress dialog box

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.

 

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