SolidWorks Drawing Segmented when Saved and Opened in AI

[elliotr46782021]

I'm creating parts and assemblies in SolidWorks, creating a SolidWorks drawing based on that assembly, then saving that drawing as an AI file and opening it in Illustrator. Most times the file opens correctly and the image is comprised of vector lines that I can manipulate. Lately, whenever I try to do this the image is segmented into clip groups containing the clipping path and an image. There can be several of these groups that comprise the whole drawing. Is this a problem with the way I'm saving the SolidWorks drawing? I've already tried saving the drawing as .dxf (as I've seen recommended in other forums) but all that does is eliminate most of the drawing. 

I'm using SolidWorks 2017 and Illustrator 23.0.6. I've also included a screenshot.

[meganchi]

Have you tried a simple copy and paste from Solidworks to Illustrator?

[elliotr46782021]

I've tried the Copy from Illustrator function in SW but when I try to paste in AI nothing happens. Am I maybe missing a step?

[John Mensinger]

Another workaround (that still works for the moment) is to open the model in the SolidWorks-companion viewer eDrawings Pro and Print to PDF with the option: Render Model Edges to Vectors enabled. Open the PDF in Illustrator.

[elliotr46782021]

Thanks! This works for making the drawing editable but no matter the display style I have set up on the drawing (hidden lines removed), it opens in eDrawings showing the hidden geometry which makes the cleanup in AI extremely difficult. Is there a way not to show these hidden lines?

[John Mensinger]

Hmm, I don't have that problem here, but then I'm not using SolidWorks models (my models originate in PTC Creo and go to eDrawings via the eDrawings Publisher for Creo) , and with no access to SolidWorks I can't investigate in any direct way.

Are you opening SolidWorks "drawings" (as your language suggests) or full native solid models? eDrawings does great with full-on Creo models (and SolidWorks models I've downloaded too). Do you have the latest version of eDrawings?

[elliotr46782021]

I'm opening the 2D drawings but they originate from 3D models. I'm running SW and eDrawings 2017, so maybe that's the reason for the weird incompatibility.