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File Formats
CAD Files supported by 3D-Tool

Import File Formats

The Basic, the Advanced, and the Premium version differ in the file formats that they support. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter is only included in the Premium version of 3D-Tool.  

Supported File Formats 

FreeViewer

Basic

Advanced

Premium

Converter

3D-NativeCAD

Autodesk Inventor, 6 - 2026
(*.ipt , *.iam)   

Autodesk Navisworks, 2012 to 2026
(*.nwd)   

CATIA V6, up to V6R2025, with PMI display
(*.3dxml)

CATIA V5, up to V5-6R2025, with PMI display
(*.CATPart, *.CATProduct, *.CATShape, *.cgr)

CATIA V4, 4.1.9 - 4.2.4
(*.model, *.exp, *.dlv, *.session)

Creo, Pro/Engineer, 19 - Creo 12.4, with PMI display
(*.prt, *.asm , *.neu, *.xpr, *.xas)

I-deas, up to 13.x (NX 5), I-deas 6
(*.mf1, *.arc, *.unv, *.pkg)

Rhino, Version 4 - 8
(*.3dm)

Solid Edge, 1 - 2025
(*.par, *.psm, *.pwd, *.asm)

SolidWorks, 97 - 2025, with PMI display
(*.sldprt, *.sldasm)

UG/Siemens NX, 11 - NX 2412, with PMI display
(*.prt)

3D-CAD

Autodesk 3D files, up to 2024
(*.dwg, *.dxf, *.dwf, *.dwfx)

DGN files (*.dgn)

IFC files (*.ifc)

IGES files (*.igs, *.iges)

JT files, up to 10.9, with PMI display (*.jt)

PARASOLID files (*.x_t; *.x_b)

PDF-, PRC-, U3D files (*.pdf, *.prc, *.u3d)

Revit files (*.rvt, *.rfa)

SAT/SAB files (*.sat, *.sab)

STEP files (*.stp, *.step, *.stpZ)

STEP-XML files (*.stpx, *.stpxZ)

VDA files (*.vda)

3D-MESH

3D-Tool files (*.ddd)

3D-Tool-EXE files (*.exe)

3DS files (*.3ds *prj *.pli)

3MF files (*.3mf)

ASC files (*.asc)

Collada files (*.dae)

FBX files (*.fbx)

GL-Transmission files-2D (*.gltf, *.glb)

OBJ files (*.obj)

Open-Inventor files (*.iv)

PLY files (*.ply)

Render files (*.slp)

STL files (*.stl)

VRML1, VRML2 files (*.wrl)

XGL files (*.xgl *.zgl)

2D-CAD

DWG files-2D (*.dwg)

DXF files-2D (*.dxf)

HPGL files (*.plt, *.plo, *.hpg)

Export File Formats

The 3D Tool Viewer works with graphical visualization data (MESH) and exports are only possible in visualization formats.

The 3D NativeCAD Converter works with native 3D data, 3D CAD data (BREP), and 3D MESH data. However, the converter does not support converting from MESH to BREP, so MESH data can only be written to MESH file formats, and MESH data in CAD files will be lost if it is written to file formats that do not support MESH data. The 3D NativeCAD Converter can only be used with a Premium license.

Supported Export Files

FreeViewer

Basic

Advanced

Premium

Converter

3D-CAD

IGS files (*.igs)

JT files, V8.1, V9.5, V10.0 (*.jt)

PRC files (*.prc)

SAT files, (*.sat)

STEP files, AP204, AP214, AP242 (*.stp)

X_T files, (*.x_t)

3D-MESH

3D-Tool EXE (*.exe), 3D/2D-Daten inkl. Viewer

3D-Tool files (*.ddd), 3D/2D-Daten

3D-PDF files (*.pdf)

3D-Studio files (*.3ds)

3MF files (*.3mf)

FBX files (*.fbx)

GL-Transmission files (*.gltf)

HTML files, (*.html)

OBJ files (*.obj)

PLY files (*.ply)

STL files (*.stl)

U3D files (*.u3d)

VRLM files (*.wrl)

Import Options

The quality of the visualization and thus the amount of data can be adjusted when importing 3D CAD models into the CAD viewer. 3D-Tool Premium also offers the option of loading graphical visualization data from native CAD files. This allows the 3D-Tool Viewer to open even large assemblies from CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, Creo, and Autodesk Inventor on simple workstations.

For native 3D models from SolidWorks, any existing "configurations" can be selected during Premium import into the viewer and converter.

In the 3D-NativeCAD Converter, assembly models can be simplified during conversion by specifically selecting parts and subassemblies. It is also possible to show and hide points, curves, and hidden elements contained in the models during conversion.