SolidWorks software is a popular computer-aided design (CAD) program. It is mainly used to create 2D and 3D models and designs for mechanical parts. SolidWorks runs on Windows and supports a wide range of file formats for importing and exporting files.
SolidWorks provides native file formats that include SLDPRT Part File (.sldprt), SLDASM Assembly File (.sldasm), SLDDRW Drawing File (.SLDDRW), and SLDDRT Template File (.slddrt). Multiple SLDPRT files can be combined to create an assembly file. These file formats allow users to easily save and share files with other SolidWorks users.
In addition to its native file formats, SolidWorks can also import and export to a wide range of file formats. This is made possible through the use of Spatial's InterOp 3D CAD data exchange and interoperability software. SolidWorks can save and read files in over 30 other neutral and proprietary CAD/CAM file formats, including AutoDesk Inventor, Creo, and Solid Edge. Some of the most popular neutral file formats supported by SolidWorks include IGES format (.igs, .iges), STEP format (.stp), and STL format (.stl), which can also be used for 3D printing.
SolidWorks file format compatibility has improved since 2017 when its conversion capabilities were replaced by 3D Interconnect. This allows users to work with third-party native CAD data. Users can open proprietary 3D CAD format in SolidWorks, import proprietary CAD data directly into a SolidWorks assembly without first converting it to a SolidWorks file, update the SolidWorks file if the proprietary CAD data is updated in its origin or break the link of the imported file. SolidWorks accepts a wide range of proprietary formats including Drawing Exchange (.dxf), Drawing (.dwg), Adobe Photoshop (.psd), Adobe Illustrator (.ai), Parasolid (.x_t), ACIS (.sat) , Pro/ENGINEER and Solid Edge.
SolidWorks' interoperability capabilities are further enhanced by using Spatial's InterOp 3D CAD translation software. This software minimizes translation errors by detecting and fixing the most common errors in exported/imported models, preserving the original design intent, reducing CAD licensing costs, simplifying workflows of development, minimizing costly conversion errors and improving application performance.
In summary, SolidWorks is a CAD software developed by Dassault Systèmes. SolidWorks supported native or neutral formats are IGES, DXF, DWG, STEP, ACIS, STL, Parasolid, PDF, VDA. SolidWorks file extensions are
.sldprt (part)
.sldasm (assembly)
.slddrw (drawing)
.slddrt (template)
CAD Interop distributes several Softwares to view, translate and validate SolidWorks files. Find below the list of our solutions compatible with SolidWorks:
