Importing Geometry

You can import geometry from other CAD applications into the app.


Before you begin: Collaborative space owners can manage the Import and Export in collaborative spaces.
  1. From the standard area of the action bar, click Import .

    Alternatively, you can import files as follows.

    • From the home page, click Import File.
    • From 3DDrive, 3DSearch, or your local system, drag a file and drop into the work area.
    • From the 3DSwym community, drag a file into the work area. This is applicable only for 3DXML files.
    • In 3DDrive or 3DSearch, right-click a file, select Open With, and from the list, select the app to open the file.

  2. In the Import dialog box, under Source, select one of the following.
    OptionDescription
    3DDrive Imports a file from the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud location that you have access to.
    File on Disk Imports a file from your local system.
  3. From the File Format list, select a format for the imported file.
    OptionDescription
    SOLIDWORKS Part (*.sldprt)

    Imports SOLIDWORKS part (*.sldprt) files into the work area.

    CATIA Part (*.CATPart)

    Imports CATIA part (*.CATPart) files into the work area.

    SOLIDWORKS Assembly (*.sldasm)

    Imports SOLIDWORKS assembly (*.sldasm) files into the work area.

    Note: This option is available only when you import from 3DDrive.

    CATIA Assembly (*.CATProduct)

    Imports CATIA assembly (*.CATProduct) files into the work area.

    Note: This option is available only when you import from 3DDrive.

    Assembly (*.zip)

    Imports SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, Inventor, or Solid Edge assembly *.zip files into the work area.

    Note: . A *.zip file contains only the references (parts and sub-assemblies) of an assembly.
    3DXML (*.3dxml)

    Imports *.3DXML files into the work area.

    Note: You cannot import read-only *.3DXML files.

    If the 3DXML file contains components with a CAD Master of SOLIDWORKS (Files that are saved to 3DEXPERIENCE using SOLIDWORKS Connected or the 3DEXPERIENCE add-in from SOLIDWORKS.):

    • The file is imported as a reference and is read-only
    • You can select the configuration and revision of the file during import
    • You must have Leader access to import

    ACIS (*.sat, *.sab, *.asat, *.asab)

    Imports *.sat, *.sab, *.asat, *.asab files into the work area.

    IDF (*.emn, *.brd, *.bdf, *.idb)

    Imports Intermediate Data Format (IDF) 2.0 and 3.0 files such as *.emn, *.brd, *.bdf, *.idb into the work area.

    IGES (*.iges, *.igs)

    Imports IGES (*.iges, *.igs) files into the work area.

    Inventor Part (*.ipt)

    Imports Inventor part (*.ipt) files into the work area.

    Mesh Files (*.stl, *.obj)

    Imports STL (*.stl) and Object (*.obj) files into the work area.

    Revit (*.rvt, *.rfa)

    Imports Revit (*.rvt, *.rfa) files into the work area.

    Solid Edge Part (*.par, *.psm)

    Imports Solid Edge part (*.par, *.psm) files into the work area. The converter for Solid Edge does not support:

    • Text and annotations
    • Materials and textures
    • Hidden bodies at the assembly level
    STEP (*.step, *.stp)

    Imports STEP (*.step, *.stp) files into the work area.

  4. Click Choose File to navigate to the file location.

    Importing from 3DDrive

    1. In the Select 3DDrive Folder dialog box, from the list, select a tenant.
    2. Under My Files or Shared with me, select a file.

    Importing from local system

    1. In the Open dialog box, select a file.
    2. Click Open.

    The name of the selected file name appears in the File Name field.
  5. Under Height and outline of components, click Choose File to select a file associated with the previously selected file.

    This option becomes available only when you import IDF (*.emn, *.brd, *.bdf, *.idb) files.

    Note: The files associated with *.emn, *.brd, *.bdf, and *.idb are *.emp, *.pro, *.ldf, and *.idl respectively. For example, if you choose *.emn file, the associated *.emp file also needs to be imported. If you are importing from 3D Drive, the system automatically imports the associated file; If from your local system, you need to manually select the associated file and the file must be present at same location as IDF file.

  6. From the Destination list, select a collaborative space to import the file into.
  7. To insert the imported part in the active session, select Insert into current component.

    Select the number of instances of the imported components to add. The default number is one. You can select any value between one and 99.

    The selected file gets imported into the component in an active session.
    Note: If you do not select the Insert into current component option, the file gets opened replacing the component in the active session.
  8. Click Options to specify the configuration choices for the selected file format.
    File FormatDescription
    SOLIDWORKS Part Lists all the configurations associated with the file you choose from the Configuration list.
    CATIA Part No options are available.
    Assembly Imports SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, Inventor, or Solid Edge assembly *.zip files into the work area.
    3DXML Imports the selected file as a new component, not linked to the original. Optionally, you can add a Prefix in the file name.
    ACIS Specifies the Orientation by letting you select which axis of the model to specify as the up direction. Select Z-up or Y-up.

    The Z-up orientation is selected by default.

    IDF (*.emn, *.brd, *.bdf, *.idb) Available options:
    • Import all using original values: Imports hole information from the circuit board file.
    • Enforce minimum value: Allows you to provide the diameter value to import the information of a hole having a specific value from a circuit board.
    • Do not import hole information: Imports the circuit board files without the hole information.
    IGES Specifies the Orientation by letting you select which axis of the model to specify as the up direction. Select Z-up or Y-up.
    Inventor Part No options are available.
    Mesh Files Displays the units of measurement in the Unit of import list. The supported units are Millimeter (mm), Centimeter (cm), Meter (m), Inches (in), Foot (ft).

    Specifies the Orientation by letting you select which axis of the model to specify as the up direction. Select Z-up or Y-up.

    Revit No options are available.
    Solid Edge Part No options are available.
    STEP Specifies the Orientation by letting you select which axis of the model to specify as the up direction. Select Z-up or Y-up.
  9. Click Import.