Native CAD interfaces
Direct support for the CAD formats listed here.
Designcenter Viewer (NX)
Open Designcenter (NX) and I-DEAS files
intuitive & practical 3D without CAD expertise
affordable & universal many 3D/2D interfaces
Modern, easy-to-use CAD viewer
Cost-effective CAD converter for all formats
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens files from Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS without Siemens software.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter converts Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS models to a wide range of formats such as STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, Parasolid X_T, STL, OBJ, 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF.
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Stable, precise CAD data processing.
Windows support
Compatible with current Windows versions.
When the PRT File Won't Open Correctly
A PRT file from Designcenter (Siemens NX) often won't open for the recipient at all without a matching license - Windows tries the wrong application, or no suitable viewer is installed at all. The 3D-Tool Viewer opens Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS models regardless of the original software, including assemblies, dimensions, and PMI data.
In automotive and aerospace supply chains, such models frequently arrive from a customer even though no matching CAD license exists at the receiving desk. For further processing, the 3D-NativeCAD Converter turns the models into STEP and other common exchange formats.
What are PRT files?
- In the CAD/CAM field, PRT files are native 3D models from Designcenter (Siemens NX) or Creo. Several programs use the PRT file extension. Creo files can often be identified by a number after the file extension (*.prt.1, *.prt.2).
- PRT files from Designcenter (Siemens NX) can contain 3D parts, 3D assemblies, 2D drawings, and Product Manufacturing Information (PMI).
- A Designcenter (Siemens NX) assembly file is linked to at least one, but usually several, PRT parts and often other PRT assemblies.
- UGS developed the two CAD systems Unigraphics and I-DEAS in 1978 and 1982 respectively. Siemens acquired UGS in 2007. Siemens then combined the two systems into the system now known as Designcenter (Siemens NX).
PRT file versions
New Designcenter (Siemens NX) releases appear regularly. The version designations at a glance:
- newer releases: 2206, 2212, 2306, where 2306, for example, stands for June 2023
- older releases from 2019 to 2021: Siemens NX 1847 through Siemens NX 2007
- before that: simple version numbers from Siemens NX 1 through Siemens NX 12
- until 2001: UG/Unigraphics 3.0 through 18.0
Since 2013, or Siemens NX 9, Siemens PLM Software has offered the software only as a 64-bit version. Support for MacOS ended with Siemens NX 12.
I-DEAS and its file formats MF1, ARC, UNV, and PKG are still used. They mainly serve to maintain existing long-term projects and historical data, especially in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.
Additional native Designcenter (NX) file formats
In contrast to most other CAD systems, Designcenter (Siemens NX) has no individual file extensions for parts, assemblies and drawings.
Designcenter (Siemens NX) uses the Parasolid modeling kernel. Parasolid X_T and X_B files are 3D exchange formats without a modification history. However, they are the preferred choice for exchanging 3D models between CAD/CAM programs with a Parasolid kernel, including Designcenter (Siemens NX), SolidWorks, and Designcenter Solid Edge.
Designcenter (Siemens NX) provides only limited support for the native I-DEAS formats MF1, ARC, UNV, and PKG.
How do I open Designcenter (NX) and I-DEAS files?
Open native PRT data from Designcenter (Siemens NX) with a Designcenter (Siemens NX) installation. Alternatively, open PRT files with CAD/CAM software that has a Designcenter (Siemens NX) interface, such as SolidWorks or Designcenter Solid Edge.
Without an I-DEAS installation, the native I-DEAS formats MF1, ARC, UNV, and PKG generally require special import and conversion interfaces.
There are no free viewers for Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS. However, compared to a CAD system, CAD viewers are an affordable alternative. The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens 3D models from Designcenter (Siemens NX) PRT files and supported I-DEAS formats. You can try it free for 14 days.
How do I convert Designcenter (NX) and I-DEAS files?
Convert files from Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS to common 3D exchange formats with a 3D converter. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium reliably converts native models from Designcenter (Siemens NX), I-DEAS models, and models from many other CAD systems. Target formats include the common 3D exchange formats STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, and Parasolid X_T.
Without a converter or CAD software with a suitable interface, the design must be exported to a common 3D exchange format, such as STEP.
Try the viewer and converter for Designcenter (NX) free - free of charge
3D-Tool is a CAD Viewer with many native CAD interfaces, including Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS. 3D-Tool provides professional measurement, draft analysis, and wall thickness analysis.
- Open Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS files, add dimensions and comments, and publish them for the 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D PDF
- Open Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS files and save them as STL, 3DS, PLY, WRL, or OBJ
- Convert Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS files to STEP, IGES, SAT, X_T, and JT
- Convert Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS models to 3D product visualizations such as 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF
Free, no-obligation 14-day trial with all features, the Designcenter (Siemens NX) interfaces, and the 3D-NativeCAD Converter. The trial key activates all 3D interfaces, including CATIA, Designcenter (Siemens NX), SolidWorks, Inventor, STEP, SAT, and Parasolid.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What file formats does the Designcenter (NX) viewer open?
3D-Tool opens Designcenter (Siemens NX) PRT files as well as the legacy I-DEAS formats MF1, ARC, UNV, and PKG. A Designcenter (Siemens NX) installation is not required. This lets you view older I-DEAS design data alongside models from Designcenter (Siemens NX).
How do I distinguish Designcenter (NX) PRT files from Creo PRT files?
Creo PRT files are often marked by a number after the file extension, such as *.prt.1 or *.prt.2. Designcenter (Siemens NX) PRT files do not carry this suffix. The PRT extension alone therefore does not identify the originating CAD system. If the file name is inconclusive, ask the sender which application created the model before choosing an import interface.
How can I open old I-DEAS files without I-DEAS?
3D-Tool opens the I-DEAS formats MF1, ARC, UNV, and PKG without an I-DEAS installation. This is useful when existing projects or archives contain older models. The viewer allows the geometry to be inspected, while the 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium converts I-DEAS models to exchange formats such as STEP.
Why does Designcenter (NX) use Parasolid X_T and X_B files?
Designcenter (Siemens NX) is built on the Parasolid modeling kernel. Therefore, Parasolid X_T and X_B are the preferred exchange formats with other Parasolid-based systems such as SolidWorks and Designcenter Solid Edge.
Which formats can Designcenter (NX) and I-DEAS files be converted to?
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium reliably converts Designcenter (Siemens NX) and I-DEAS models to STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, and Parasolid X_T. It also supports visualization formats such as STL, OBJ, 3DS, PLY, 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF.