Importing 3D Model Files
3D model files can be imported directly into the active Modeler window. Supported 3D model file formats are listed in the table that follows.
| Type | Extension(s) | Supported Version(s) |
| ACIS SAB | *.sab |
Up to 2024 |
| ACIS SAT | *.sat |
Up to 2024 |
| Ansoft Geometry | *.AnstGeom |
All |
| Ansys 3D Modeler | *.sm3 |
Up to 2022R2 See UDMs and CAD integration with Workbench. |
| AutoCAD | *.dxf, *.dwg |
Linux: Versions 2.5 (AC1002) through 2012 (AC1024) Windows: Versions 2.5 (AC1002) through 2017 (AC1027) |
| Autodesk Inventor | *.ipt, *.iam |
Up to 2025 |
| CATIA | *.exp, *.model, *.CATPart, *.CATproduct |
CATIA V4 – Up to 4.2.5 CATIA V5 – Up to V5_6R2024 |
| Creo Parametric | *.prt, *.asm |
Pro/Engineer 19.0 to Creo 11.0 |
| IGES | *.iges, *.igs |
5.1, 5.2, 5.3 |
| JT | *.jt |
Up to v10.9 |
| NASTRAN | *.nas |
CROD, CBEAM, CTRIA3, and CQUAD4 element types |
| Siemens NX | *.prt |
UG11 to UG18, UG NX, NX5 to NX12, NX1847 to NX2406 |
| Parasolid | *.x_t, *.x_b |
9.0 through 36.1.185 |
| SOLIDWORKS | *.SLDPRT, *.SLDASM |
From 97 up to 2024 |
| STEP | *.step, *.stp |
AP 203 E1/E2, AP 214, AP 242 (geometry only) |
| STL | *.stl |
2.0 (see Lightweight Geometry in SBR+) |
- Object, material, and parameter names with non-ASCII characters are not allowed for data transfer. Such transfers fail and produce an error message.
- If you import a file into an active Modeler window that contains an existing model, the file is added to the existing model; it will not replace it.
To import a 3D model file:
- Click Modeler > Import.
The Import File dialog box appears.
- Select the file type you want from the Files of type drop-down menu.
- Set any import options available for the selected file type. Options may include:
- Validation and Healing Options – see Healing an Imported Object.
- Import Material Names – use the check box to import material names.
- Import Free Surfaces – for Creo Parametric files, use the check box to import surfaces as well as parts.
- Stitch Tolerance and Units – for STEP and IGES files, specify stitch tolerance and units. The default value (auto) comes from Healing options.
- STL Import Options – for STL files for Modal or Terminal solutions, select the modeling units to which the imported model is scaled and whether to merge faces that are on the same plane, and whether to Heal on import.
Heal attempts to remove common issues while importing stl files, including closing solids when they are open due to minor cracks in triangulation and removing self-intersections.
The generic format specification for STL does not include units. When “Auto” is chosen for the file units, the current Model units are normally used.
Checking Reduce enables fields for specifying Reduce Max Error and Reduce Percentage.
- Create Groups for Sub Assembly – for formats that allow importing MCAD Assemblies as groups, use the check box to retain the assembly structure of objects using groups. For every subassembly in the model, a group is created and it retains hierarchical information by creating group hierarchy. See: Group Commands for Modeler Objects.
- Use the file browser to find and select a file for import.
- Click Open.
The file is imported into the active Modeler window
While objects created in