What are the recommended formats for exchanges between CAD software and 3D software?

Computer-aided design (CAD) is an essential technology for engineers and designers to create 3D models for a variety of projects. However, there are many proprietary 3D software programs, each with their own file format. This can pose a major challenge for interoperability between different software and can lead to compatibility issues between different file formats in the most common scenarios, including:

• Conversion or migration between native CAD formats
• Conversion or archiving with neutral formats
• Conversion to mesh formats for visualization or simulation
• Utilization of point clouds resulting from scanning

A little bit of definition: What is a data format?

In computer science, the data format refers to how data is organized and represented in an information carrier, using a standardized convention to encode data types as a sequence of bits. This data format allows data to be placed in specific locations in a template so that computer tools can easily find it. Data formats can include information representing text, pages, images, sounds, executable files, etc., and they enable data exchange between various computer programs and software. When this data is stored in a file, it is referred to as a file format. The ability to exchange data between different software programs is known as interoperability.

Data format facilitates interoperability between different software programs and allows users to share data without encountering compatibility issues.

Proprietary formats used for CAD

There are many proprietary formats for CAD, but some of the most common ones are:

• CATIA: is a proprietary CAD software developed by Dassault Systèmes and used in the aerospace, automotive, and other industries for the design of complex products.
• Creo: formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER, is another proprietary CAD software developed by PTC and used in various industries for product design.
• NX: is a proprietary CAD software developed by Siemens and used in the aerospace, automotive, and other industries for the design of complex products.
• SolidWorks: is a proprietary CAD software developed by Dassault Systèmes and used in various industries for product design.
• AutoCAD: is a proprietary CAD software developed by Autodesk and used in architecture, construction, and engineering.

Neutral formats used for CAD interoperability

To solve interoperability problems, neutral file formats have been developed to allow different CAD software to communicate with each other. The most common neutral file formats are:

• STEP: is a standard file format for exchanging data between different CAD software. It supports geometry, topology, and material property information.
• IGES: is a neutral file format that supports exchanging data between different CAD software, including geometry, topology, and material property information.
• JT: is a neutral file format developed by Siemens PLM Software for the visualization and exchange of 3D product data.

Mesh formats used for CAD interoperability to simulation or visualization

Mesh formats are used to store 3D models as a grid of points that are connected to form a surface. The most common mesh formats are:

• FBX: is a mesh file format developed by Autodesk for 3D models, animation, and textures.
• GlTF: is a mesh file format for 3D models primarily used for virtual and augmented reality applications.
• OBJ: is a standard mesh file format used to store 3D models, including geometry, texture, and color information.

Point cloud formats used for visualization and scanning

Point cloud formats are used to store sets of three-dimensional points, which can be used to represent physical objects. The most common point cloud formats are:

• E57: is a point cloud file format developed to store 3D scanning data from various types of laser scanners.
• LAS: is a point cloud file format developed to store 3D scanning data from airborne laser scanners.
• PCD: is a point cloud file format developed to store point cloud data from 3D scanners, 3D cameras, and CAD software.
• PLY: is a point cloud file format developed to store 3D scanning data and meshes.

In conclusion, interoperability between different 3D software is essential to allow designers and engineers to work with 3D models from different sources. Neutral file formats, conversion software or interfaces, file conversion plugins, and interoperability tools are all means to achieve interoperability between 3D software.