IDF 3.0 and IDF 4.0

open IDF and PADS files

.idf, emn, .idb

• Most content within IDF 4.0 files is supported.

• AssemblyHierarchy of components and subcomponents showing relationship within a design, as shown in the Structure tree. In manufacturing, a unit fitted together from manufactured parts. See Assembly tool, Component of panels and boards, cutouts, filled areas, keep-ins, materials, panels and everything related, sublayouts, and thermal models are not supported.

• Open IDF and PAD files

• IDF files can be synchronized with the imported model.
  • Select any geometry in the model and use RMB > Update IDF to update the IDF file based on component operations performed in the model (e.g. moved components).
  • The current DS Mechanical document must have been created by importing an IDF file.
  • The source IDF file must be present on disk at its original location.
  • A new IDF file is written that contains the updated information.
  • The new file can be read back into the originating ECAD system to update the components.

versions up to 5.3

parts, assemblies

.igs, .iges

• Curves and CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Colors are supported on import.

 files (insert only)

.bmp, .pcx, .gif, .jpg, .png, .tif

See Inserting an image

curves (insert only)

.txt

• A spline curve is created by default or if the option Polyline=False is used. If the option Polyline=True is used, then the points are connected by straight line segments.

• By default, 2D curves are created. When specifying 2D curves, the first column of the data points must be an integer and gives the height of the plane of one of the curves. The beginning of a new curve is specified by changing this height from one line to the next. If option 3D=True is used, the curves can be 3D

• Use the Fit keyword to specify whether CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting or Interpolation is used.

  Fit=True uses CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting. CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting creates a curve that "Fits" the data points using a specified tolerance. The curve may not pass exactly through all points and the distance from the curve to the point will be within the tolerance.

  Use the Fittol keyword when Fit=Trueto specify the CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting tolerance in model units. For example Fittol=1.0e-2

  The curve below uses CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting (i.e. Fit=true). A large tolerance (fittol=2.0) is used to exaggerate the fact that the curve does not pass through the points but only gets within the specified tolerance.

   

  

   

  Fit=False uses Interpolation. Interpolation requires that the curve pass exactly through all of the points. An interpolation method is used to build a continuous curve through all of the points.

  The curve below is interpolated (i.e. Fit=False). There are seven points in the file and the curve passes exactly through each one.

   

  

   

• Multiple curves are separated by blank lines.

• You can import point curve text files that contain single-point curves, which will be created as points.

• PointSingle location in the sketch grid. 2-D object that has no height, width, or length. The origin, an axis, and a vertex are examples of points. Use the Point tool to sketch a point on the sketch grid. Points are useful as a dimensional reference, for splitting, and for creating a point on a line or curve through which you want to draw a three-point circle.-curve text files opened or inserted in display a closed curve when the file has a repeated value.

• Curves can be imported to coordinate systems or other geometry like other imported objects.

• PointSingle location in the sketch grid. 2-D object that has no height, width, or length. The origin, an axis, and a vertex are examples of points. Use the Point tool to sketch a point on the sketch grid. Points are useful as a dimensional reference, for splitting, and for creating a point on a line or curve through which you want to draw a three-point circle.-curve text files with columns separated by commas can be opened or inserted in . This feature allows you to import any comma-separated value file into .

• If there is an error reading the input text file, a message will appear with the line number of the error in parentheses followed by the text appearing on that line.

• The following example shows the contents of a point curve text file on the left and the 3D curves it creates on the right:

  • NoteAnnotation placed on a design, drawing sheet, or 3D markup. Notes contain text or symbols that you insert and can be connected to geometry by a note leader. that the point coordinates are (Z, X, Y).

  • For example (1, 2, 3) is (Z=1, X=2, Y=3).

3d=true polyline=false 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 2 1 0 3 0 0 3 0 1 3 1 0

 

Keywords:

• polyline=false - spline curves are created.
• polyline=true - straight lines are created.
• 3d=true - 3D curves are created.
• 3d=false - curves are two-dimensional. This is also the case if the option is not set.
• fit=true - use CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting.
  • CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting finds the "Best Fit" through the points.
  • Does not require the curve to pass through all of the points
• fit=false - use Interpolation.
  • Interpolation forces the curve to pass through all the points in the file.
• fittol=1.0e-2 - CurveIn 3D, any line in space. Fitting tolerance in the units used in the file.

The blank line after the first set of coordinates indicates that the next set of coordinates is a new curve.

You can copy the file contents above and paste them into a text file, then use Insert File to try it yourself.

V2015.0 SP0

parts, assemblies

.rsdoc

• rsdocs can only be imported for the first 30 days after DS Mechanical activation. After 30 days, a limit of 100 individual file imports is enforced.

Up to SketchUp 8, V2013, V2014, V2018

parts, assemblies

.skp

AP203, AP214, AP242 (geometry)

parts, assemblies

.stp, .step

When you import STEPStandard for the Exchange of Product model data (ISOInternational Organization for Standardization standards for architectural and engineering drawing, including guidelines for dimensioning and tolerancing. You can customize the style of your annotations to conform to ISO standards. See ASME, JISJapanese Standards Association standards for technical drawings. You can customize the style of your annotations to conform to JIS standards. JIS defaults are the same as ISO, except that JIS uses third-angle views while ISO uses first-angle views. See ASME, ISO.. 10303). Defines a methodology for describing product data. You can select the STEP protocol when you export designs. assemblies from one file, select the Create multiple documents when importing assemblies file option if you want the assemblies to remain in one file instead of being split into multiple files, one for each internal component.

• OriginZero point in coordinate system. You can insert an origin at any location in your design where you can anchor the MoveA tool used to translate or rotate geometry. tool, enabling you to dimension from the origin or quickly move the sketch grid to the origin. You can also insert an origin at a solid's center of mass or volume. import and export is supported
• PMIProduct Manufacturing Information. You can import PMI if you check the Import Part Manufacturing Information box when importing CATIA files. import is supported
• License is required

Facets or Solids

parts, assemblies

.stl

• When exporting STL files, the output is set to Binary by default.

• STL files can include polyface meshes, and they can be imported as lightweight objects. Polyface meshes are imported as solids.

• When saving as an .STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography., the quality is based your graphics quality setting. We recommend setting the option to enable the highest possible graphics quality if you want your design to be useful as an SLASee Stereo lithography rapid prototype for form, fit, and function purposes.

• You can import an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography. as a solid, if it has multiple planar areas that can be merged into one planar face.

• You can import an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography. as a Mesh objectObjectAnything recognizable by the tools. 3D objects include vertices, edges, faces, surfaces, solids, layouts, planes, axes, and origins. 2D objects include points and lines. created by importing an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography. lightweight (facets only). Mesh objects have the ability to snap to the facets. and export it as another STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography.. This makes it possible to import multiple STL files into a document and then export everything as a single STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography..

files (insert only) with proper codec(s) required for all but WMV and AVI

.wmv, .avi, .flv, .mkv, .mov, .mp4, .mpg, mpeg, .ogm, .vob

See Inserting a video

Facets

parts, assemblies

.obj

Facets, Geometry (PRC B-Rep), curves

parts and assemblies

.pdf

• 32-bit and 64-bit platforms are supported.
• Color information is exported for 3D PDFs.
• Supports B-Rep import and export
• Mesh-only .scdoc's can be exported to PDF.
• No Adobe Acrobat required for B-Rep import and export, 32bit and 64bit platforms supported, Adobe Acrobat X Pro is not supported
• SCDM optional module for 3D PDF is available

2D Print to or save drawings only

.pdf

• 32-bit and 64-bit platforms are supported.

V1.0

3D - parts, assemblies

.amf

• Export also supports compressed AMF

• The following are supported for export:

  • Geometry

  • BodyA solid or surface. and face colors

  • BodyA solid or surface. material

  • Textures

  • Lightweight components

  • AssemblyHierarchy of components and subcomponents showing relationship within a design, as shown in the Structure tree. In manufacturing, a unit fitted together from manufactured parts. See Assembly tool, Component structure tree

• Export is supported by the Converter.

R12 to 14, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2018

Export as 2D snapshot and AutoCADSoftware application for 2D and 3D design and drafting by Autodesk, Inc. AutoCAD's native file format is DWGAutoCAD native drawing format. You can open and insert drawings, parts, and assemblies. Drawings can be inserted as layouts. You can export parts, assemblies, drawing sheets, and 3D markup slides., its interchange file format is DXFDrawing Interchange Format or Drawing Exchange Format. CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs. You can open and insert drawings, parts, and assemblies.Drawings can be inserted as layouts. You can export parts, assemblies, drawing sheets, and 3D markup slides., and its format for publishing CAD data is DWF. Solids (ACISModeling engine by Spatial Corporation. You can import and export ACIS files (.sat and .sab). V7 format)

.dxf

• LineA straight line, arc, or spline drawn in Sketch mode or on a layout plane. Lines have length but no area. When you pull a sketch into 3D with the PullTool used to distort or deform geometry. Use the Pull tool to offset, extrude, revolve, sweep, draft, and blend faces; or to round, chamfer, or extrude edges. When converting a sketch to 3D, pulling a line creates a surface and pulling a surface creates a solid. tool, lines become edges. weights can be exported to AutoCADSoftware application for 2D and 3D design and drafting by Autodesk, Inc. AutoCAD's native file format is DWGAutoCAD native drawing format. You can open and insert drawings, parts, and assemblies. Drawings can be inserted as layouts. You can export parts, assemblies, drawing sheets, and 3D markup slides., its interchange file format is DXFDrawing Interchange Format or Drawing Exchange Format. CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs. You can open and insert drawings, parts, and assemblies.Drawings can be inserted as layouts. You can export parts, assemblies, drawing sheets, and 3D markup slides., and its format for publishing CAD data is DWF. (DXFDrawing Interchange Format or Drawing Exchange Format. CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs. You can open and insert drawings, parts, and assemblies.Drawings can be inserted as layouts. You can export parts, assemblies, drawing sheets, and 3D markup slides. or DWGAutoCAD native drawing format. You can open and insert drawings, parts, and assemblies. Drawings can be inserted as layouts. You can export parts, assemblies, drawing sheets, and 3D markup slides.). Hatch lines on drawing sheets are exported as stand-alone lines.

• Export as 2D snapshot

MS Office 2003, 2007, 2013

.xls, .xlsx

• If MS Office is installed
• Table export: Web page (.htm; .html), XML document (.xml), CSV file (.csv)

parts, assemblies

.glb

• Binary glTF (GL Transmission Format) for scene graphics export.
• Supported features include solid bodies, surface bodies, faceted bodies, lightweight components, and curves.
• Includes graphics information such as body and face color, body finish (High/Medium/Low Gloss), and camera position.
• Known limitations include faces with texture or hatched, brushed, and metallic render styles.
• Use caution with proprietary models since the data is copied to web location.

V5.3, JAMA-IS, Types: 186, 144, 143

parts, assemblies

.igs, .iges

parts, assemblies, drawing sheets (export as 2D snapshot)

.bmp, .gif, .jpg, .png, .tif

On export, you can specify the image size in pixels or percent of full size.

When saving a drawing as an image you can specify Use Scene extents or Use Sheet extents. Scene extents includes gray borders around the drawing to fill the size of the entire scene. Sheet extents only includes what is within the sheet boundary.

See Inserting an image

.vdb

MS Office 2003, 2007, 2013

• If MS Office is installed

V3.0 to V8.0, V2013 to V2018

parts, assemblies SketchUp

.skp

AP203, AP214, AP242 (geometry)

parts, assemblies

.stp, .step

When you import STEPStandard for the Exchange of Product model data (ISOInternational Organization for Standardization standards for architectural and engineering drawing, including guidelines for dimensioning and tolerancing. You can customize the style of your annotations to conform to ISO standards. See ASME, JISJapanese Standards Association standards for technical drawings. You can customize the style of your annotations to conform to JIS standards. JIS defaults are the same as ISO, except that JIS uses third-angle views while ISO uses first-angle views. See ASME, ISO.. 10303). Defines a methodology for describing product data. You can select the STEP protocol when you export designs. assemblies from one file, select the Create multiple documents when importing assemblies file option if you want the assemblies to remain in one file instead of being split into multiple files, one for each internal component.

parts, assemblies

.stl

• When exporting STL files, the output is set to Binary by default.

• STL files can include polyface meshes, and they can be imported as lightweight objects. Polyface meshes are imported as solids.

• When saving as an .STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography., the quality is based your graphics quality setting. We recommend setting the option to enable the highest possible graphics quality if you want your design to be useful as an SLASee Stereo lithography rapid prototype for form, fit, and function purposes.

• You can import an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography. as a solid, if it has multiple planar areas that can be merged into one planar face.

• You can import an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography. as a Mesh objectObjectAnything recognizable by the tools. 3D objects include vertices, edges, faces, surfaces, solids, layouts, planes, axes, and origins. 2D objects include points and lines. created by importing an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography. lightweight (facets only). Mesh objects have the ability to snap to the facets. and export it as another STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography.. This makes it possible to import multiple STL files into a document and then export everything as a single STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography..

• STL export can be performed directly from lightweight (visualization only) .scdoc

Not supported

Triangles

.obj

• Structure is not maintained when you save as an OBJ file.

• When you save your design as an OBJ file, the current graphics tessellation is used for accuracy. You can modify the tessellation by setting the Image quality vs. graphics speed option.

• UV's are transformed according to a body or face and texture information is exported with the file.
• BodyA solid or surface. and face colors

part and assembly solids only

.xaml

The orientation and translation of the current view is saved in an XAML file.

PMIProduct Manufacturing Information. You can import PMI if you check the Import Part Manufacturing Information box when importing CATIA files. information from a CATIAModeling engine by Dassault Systèmes. You can import and export CATIA files. file

 

 

Consolidated multi-segmented curves from a Rhino file

 

You need to specify the output file type as well as some other directories used by the Converter. Frequently used conversion settings can be saved and reused.

When SpaceClaim is started from Converter, there is no longer a check for updates in SpaceClaim when it starts.

The Converter options are described below.

• File FilterSee Selection filter: When you specify a directory to convert, it may contain many different file types. Since all input files must be the same type, the File FilterSee Selection filter specifies which type to convert.
• Recurse directories: Check this option to include subdirectories.
• TimeOut: This is the maximum time allowed for the conversion. It will be aborted if it exceeds this time limit.
• File Type: This is the output file format. All the input files will be converted to this format. Converted files are written to the same directory as the input file.
• Failures Directory: Any files that fail to convert will be copied to this directory.
• Settings Directory: Converter settings can be saved to an XML file in this folder.
• SpaceClaim directory: This is the directory where SpaceClaim.exe is located. Normally this will be the same directory containing Converter.exe.
• Output directory: The converted files will be saved to this directory.
• Email Recipient(s): The converter will send an email to the specified email addresses. You can select when you want email sent with the following checkboxes.
  • Complete
  • Errors
• Abort if failures exceed: Check this box and enter a percentage of failures. The process aborts when the percentage is exceeded.
• Start separate SpaceClaim for each design: A separate SpaceClaim instance is started for each design to avoid memory exhaustion on large models. This sacrifices speed to save memory. The option is Off by default.
• Multiprocess: Multiprocessor support allows multiple SpaceClaim sessions to run in parallel to translate files. This setting is defaulted to the number of cores available, based on your system and available memory, but you can configure it. Be careful not to exceed the number of cores present, and to expect performance of other running programs to degrade potentially.

There is a command line switch (for SpaceClaim) to check for add-ins

• CommandLineAddInsOnly will only load add-ins specified in the command line for SpaceClaim
• For example: /CommandLineAddInsOnly=true
• The switch is primarily intended for use with the Converter to limit the add-ins loaded
• The switch can be used to start SpaceClaim without looking for add-ins in the usual locations