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      <title>Opening I-deas models in NX</title>
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      <div class="title_topic2" id="xps10_pagetitle">Opening I-deas models in NX</div>
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      <p class="para_topic">An I-deas part or assembly is transferred to NX NX as an exchange package file with an extension of (.xpk). This file will contain the geometry and tracking information for a single I-deas part or an assembly with all of its component subassemblies and parts. The original name of the part is contained in the exchange file. The filename of the exchange file does not have to be the same as the contained part or assembly, but you'll probably want to use a naming convention such that the exchange file name is based on the name of the I-deas model.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">To open an I-deas exchange package file and create NX NX .prt files use:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Choose  <em>File</em> &rarr;  <em>Open</em>.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select Files of type:  <em>I-deas Exchange Package (*.xpk)</em>.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the I-deas exchange package file name.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <p class="para_topic">When you open the exchange file, NX creates a unique name for the prt file using the original I-deas part number, part name, and library name followed by &quot;_ipart.prt&quot; or &quot;_iassy.prt&quot; to indicate an I-deas part or assembly. For example, if an I-deas part written from Library1 was named &quot;Engine Block&quot; with a part number &quot;1234,&quot; the NX prt file name would become &quot;1234_Engine_Block_Library1_ipart.prt.&quot; If the exchange file contains an assembly, a prt file for each part and assembly will be created and similarly named.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">If a file with the same name already exists for any part or assembly, the existing file will be used. The software will first check the loaded parts in the current session. Then it will search the directories of the top-level assembly, the xpk file, the current working directory, and any search directories defined by load options.</p>
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            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
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                  <p class="para_note_body">Although it is not likely, it is technically possible in I-deas to have multiple library versions of the same part in an assembly with identical part names and part numbers. This is not allowed in the transfer, since it would attempt to create two files with the same name. If this situation occurs, the result will depend on the settings of the load options  <em>Allow Substitution</em> and  <em>Abort Load on Failure</em>. To prevent this, modify the part name or part number in I-deas to be unique if required. 
                  </p>
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      <p class="para_topic">It is also possible to import an I-deas exchange package file containing a part as a feature into an NX model. Using this method, an NX part may contain more than one feature that is associative to I-deas parts.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">To import an I-deas part as a feature in NX:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"> <em>File &rarr; Import &rarr; Part... </em></p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"> <em>OK</em>.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the file type:  <em>I-deas Exchange Package (*.xpk)</em>.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the I-deas exchange package file.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <p class="para_topic">I-deas exchange package files can also be directly selected when adding parts to an NX assembly. An NX part file will automatically be created as described above and added as a component in the current NX assembly.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">To add an I-deas part or assembly to an NX assembly:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"> <em>Assemblies &rarr; Components &rarr; Add Existing &rarr; Choose Part File</em>.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the file type:  <em>I-deas Exchange Package (*.xpk)</em>.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the I-deas exchange package file.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
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               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body"> Using the  <em>Open</em> command, either I-deas parts or assemblies can be opened. Using the  <em>Import</em> command, only I-deas parts may be imported into the .prt file.
                  </p>
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      </table>
      <p class="para_topic">The NX .prt file will use inch or metric (millimeters) units depending on the units of the I-deas model file.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">Use  <em>Preferences</em> &rarr;  <em>NX Gateway</em> and select the  <em>I-deas</em> tab to set options for the import. Imported annotation and wireframe geometry can be placed on separate layers. They can also be assigned specific colors.
      </p>
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