View and interpret data transfer log files
 
 
 

Open a log file and interpret the data. Review this data to resolve problems in data transfer.

Log file names

Learn the default file naming convention used in generating data transfer log files.

In most cases translators automatically create log files using a user-defined filename with a default filename extension. When storing format files the default file name extensions are as follows:

For IGES

Import translation

.alias2iges (filename.alias2iges)

Export translation

.iges2alias (filename.iges2alias)

For VDAIS

Import translation

.alias2vdais (filename.alias2vdais)

Export translation

.vdais2alias (filename.vdais2alias)

For C4

Import translation

.alias2c4x (filename.alias2c4x)

Export translation

.c4x2alias (filename .c4x2alias )

For UGS NX

Import translation

.alias2unigraphics (filename .alias2unigraphics)

Export translation

.unigraphics2alias (filename .unigraphics2alias)

For JAMA-IS

Import translation

.alias2jamais (filename.alias2jamais)

Export translation

.jamais2alias (filename .jamais2alias)

For Granite

Import translation

.alias2granite (filename .alias2granite )

Export translation

.granite2alias(filename .granite2alias)

For STEP

Import translation

.alias2step (filename.alias2step)

Export translation

.step2alias (filename step2alias)

For CAI

Import translation

.alias2catia (filename.alias2catia)

Export translation

.catia2alias (filename .catia2alias)

For TC VisProducts

Import translation

.alias2jt (filename.alias2jt)

Export translation

.jt2alias (filename.jt2alias)

To view STEP log files

  1. Choose Utilities > Errlog to view these messages.

    When retrieval is finished without errors, the following message is displayed:

    STEP files retrieved successfully.

    If there are errors in the retrieval, this message is displayed:

    Problem Reading Step File, refer to log file and/or errlog for details.

    The Alias errlog file and STEP logfile contain a specific error message for each problem entity that is encountered, along with the entity’s STEP ID and type.

Interpreting CATIA translation log files

The translation log file is produced during both import and export of CATIA files. This log file contains entity mappings, entity counts, and Information, Error, and Warning messages.

Interpreting the import log file

On import of a CATIA file, a translation log file is created in the same directory as the CATIA file. The file name of the log file is the same as that of the CATIA file with the extension.catia2alias added to it.

Log file

The log file contains:

  • a translation summary,
  • the time of translation,
  • conversion statistics, and
  • translation time.

If an error or problem occurs while processing an entity, the CATIA entity’s type name, user identifier name, and instance name are printed, followed by the error or warning message.

Extended log file

If you have chosen to have an extended log file produced, then the log file will contain the same information as the log file, with the addition of:

  • CATIA entity name to Alias entity name mapping
  • CATIA entity type to Alias entity type mapping

Interpreting the export log file

On export of a CATIA file, a translation log file is created in the same directory as the CATIA file. The file name of the log file is the same as the CATIA file with the extension .alias2catia added to it.

Log file

If you have chosen to have a log file via the interface options, the log file will contain:

  • a translation summary,
  • the time of translation,
  • conversion statistics, and
  • translation time.

Extended log file

If you have chosen to have an extended log file produced, then the extended log file will contain the same information as the log file with the addition of:

  • product/part contents, and
  • translation time.

Viewing IGES log files

IGES stands for Initial Graphics Exchange Specification. IGES was the first attempt to make a neutral file format. This enables different systems to transfer data without the need of a specific translator for each system.

The first section of an IGES file typically describes the contents of a file. Each line of this section is displayed on the information line.

If there is more than one line in the section, you can browse the contents of the section after file retrieval is complete by using the prompt history window, or by viewing the comments section of the IGES logfile created by the retrieve process.

Open a IGES log file

  1. Choose File > Show Image .

    The Alias errlog file and IGES logfile contain a specific error message for each problem encountered.

    Each error message includes the IGES entity type number and a Directory Section line number where the entity occurs. The errlog file is located at /usr/a1demo/errlog; you can browse it with any UNIX text editor (for example, vi or jot). The IGES logfile is located in the same directory as the retrieved IGES file.

Summary of messages in the IGES logfile

  • IGES file retrieved successfully

    Indicates retrieval is finished.

Identifying IGES supported entities in log files

Learn more about the IGES entities supported on import by Alias.

All other entities with an entity use flag value (Definition) are ignored by the input translator.

Type Form IGES Entity Alias Entity
100 0 circular arc B-spline curve
102 0 composite curve B-spline curves (group)
104 0-3 conic arc B-spline curve
106 1 copious data B-spline curve
106 2 copious data polyline
106 11 copious data polyline
106 12 copious data polyline
106 63 closed area triangle of mesh
       
108 1 plane face
110 0 line line
112 0 parametric curve B-spline curve
114 0 parametric surface B-spline surface
116 0 point control vertex
118 0-1 ruled surface B-spline surface
120 0 surface of revolution B-spline surface
122 0 tabulated cylinder B-spline surface
124 0 transformation matrix  
126 0-5 rational B-spline curve B-spline curve
128 0-9 rational B-spline surface B-spline surface
130 0 offset curve B-spline curve
140 0 offset surface B-spline surface
141 0 boundary entity trim curve
142 0 curve on surface trim curve
143 0 bounded surface trimmed surface
144 0 trimmed surface trimmed surface
308 0 subfigure definition instance geometry
402 7,16 associativity instance group
408 0 singular subfigure instance instance geometry

IGES levels

All supported geometric IGES entities that are associated with IGES level <n> are added to an Alias layer. For example, if a 126 B-spline entity’s directory entry indicates that it is on level 42, then it is added to Alias as Layer 42.

IGES ASCII format

The IGES translator imports ASCII format IGES files with or without linefeed characters at the end of each record. Binary IGES files are not supported.

UGS NX (Unigraphics) log files

How to interpret UGS NX log files.

Translation log file

The translation log file is produced during both import and export of UGS NX part files. This log file contains Entity Mappings, Entity Counts, and Information, Error, and Warning messages.

How to interpret an import log file

On import of a UGS NX part file, a translation log file is created in the same directory as the UGS NX part file. The file name of the log file is the same as that of the UGS NX part file with the extension .unigraphics2alias added to it.

Short log file

If you have chosen to use a short log file via the interface options, the log file will contain:

If an error or problem occurs while processing an entity, the UGS NX’s entity’s type name, user identifier name, and instance name are printed, followed by the error or warning message.

Extended log file

If you have chosen to have an extended log file produced, then the log file will contain the same information as the short log file, with the addition of:

The mapping description line in an extended import log file contains:

Interpret a export log file

On export of a UGS NX file, a translation log file is created in the same directory as the UGS NX file. The file name of the log file is the same as the UGS NX file with the extension .alias2unigraphics added to it.

Short log file

If you have chosen to have a short log file via the interface options, the log file will contain:

If an error or problem occurs while processing an entity, the Alias entity’s type name and node name are printed, followed by the error or warning message.

Extended log file

If you have chosen to have an extended log file produced, then the log file will contain the same information as the short log file with the addition of:

Interpret a UGS NX (Unigraphics) translation log

If the log file identifies an error during translation between Alias and UGS NX in either direction, you can trace the information in the error message back to the problem geometry. In some cases once the piece of geometry has been isolated, the nature of the problem will be visually obvious and you will need only to delete or manually fix the surface in question.