Lightweight/Heavyweight Import Overview

Importing CAD files (CATIA, IGES, STEP) import them in Lightweight. Lightweight is a format that loads a lighter level of detail of data than Heavyweight format.

When you import CAD files (CATIA, IGES, STEP), they are imported in Lightweight by default. That means, the files are loaded with a lighter level of detail of data than a full load (Heavyweight), which reduces the import time.

The Heavyweight format corresponds to the full dataset of an imported element and is need to edit the element.

Characteristics

  • The Lightweight import uses the SpaceClaim Reader.

  • When you import CAD files (CATIA, IGES, STEP), they are imported in Lightweight by default.

    To import CAD files in heavyweight, first deactivate the Use lightweight option in the Speos Options > Light Simulation.

  • Bodies imported in Lightweight are not editable.

    To edit a Lightweight body, you have to switch it from Lightweight to Heavyweight using Toggle to Heavyweight, which will load all the data of the body.

    Note: You cannot switch from Heavyweight to Lightweight.

  • When you launch a simulation, Lightweight geometries are converted to Heavyweight geometries and the SpaceClaim mesh is applied during the initialization of the simulation, while keeping the visualization of the geometries in the 3D view in Lightweight. This prevents then a loss of performance. Due to the conversion from Lightweight to Heavyweight, the initialization can take more time than usual.

    Note: In case of a large project with multiple simulations, to avoid the conversion from Lightweight to Heavyweight of the geometries during the initialization of each simulation, we recommend you to toggle to heavyweight the geometries and apply the meshing manually. This will save you the conversion time during the initialization. For more information, refer to Meshing After a Project Import.
  • You can Save as a project containing Lightweight bodies. The project will be lighter than a project saved with Heavyweight bodies
  • You cannot Save as CATPart Lightweight bodies as they are not editable. Only Heavyweight bodies can be saved as CATPart.

  • You cannot export axis systems into *.CATPart files.

    You may have to create manually your axis systems using point and lines if you want to reproduce them.

  • A named selection created out of geometries imported with the Geometries Update tool may not detect geometry modifications applied in the external CAD part after updating this external CAD part. Therefore, the modified geometry of the named selection is not updated in SpaceClaim.

Warning: Do not confuse the Lightweight which applies to bodies with the Lightweight function from SpaceClaim which applies to the root component.

Lightweight Import Support

File Type Extension File Version Reader
CATIA V5 *.CATPart ; *.CATProduct Up to V5_6R2023 SpaceClaim Reader
IGES *.IGES ; *.IGS 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 SpaceClaim Reader
STEP *.STEP ; *.STP AP 203 E1/E2, AP 214, AP 242 SpaceClaim Reader