CAD glossary

What is CAD?

CAD stands for "Computer-Aided Design" and refers to the digital creation, editing and documentation of technical products, parts and assemblies using CAD software.

CAD is used for two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional models. The resulting CAD data describes a product's geometry. It can also contain dimensions, tolerances, materials, colors, manufacturing specifications or assembly structures.

CAD data is used not only in development and design. It also serves as a basis for manufacturing, production planning, quality assurance, purchasing and technical documentation.

With a CAD viewer such as 3D-Tool, existing CAD data can be viewed, measured and analyzed without the original CAD system.

What is a CAD system?

A CAD system is design software for digitally creating, editing and documenting technical products. Designers use it to develop parts, assemblies, 3D models and technical drawings.

A CAD system provides tools for sketches, features, surfaces, solids, assemblies and drawing derivations. In parametric CAD models, dimensions, parameters and dependencies control the geometry. If a dimension changes, dependent areas of the model adjust accordingly. Many CAD systems also store the design history. This keeps work steps and dependencies traceable and allows them to be changed later.

Unlike a CAD viewer, a CAD system allows models to be modified as part of the design process. A viewer, by contrast, is mainly used to view, measure, inspect and analyze existing CAD data.

What is CATIA?

CATIA is a CAD system for developing and designing parts, assemblies and complex technical products. CATPart and CATProduct are among the native file formats used by CATIA V5.

CATIA data is also used in manufacturing and collaboration with suppliers. With 3D-Tool, CATIA files can be viewed without a CATIA installation.

What is Siemens NX?

Siemens NX, which has continued under the name Designcenter since June 2026, is a CAD system for designing and developing technical products. Native NX models are typically stored as files with the PRT extension.

With 3D-Tool, NX files can be viewed without the original CAD system.

What is PTC Creo?

PTC Creo is a CAD system for the parametric design of parts and assemblies. Typical native file formats are PRT for parts and ASM for assemblies.

Creo files can also be viewed with 3D-Tool without Creo software being installed.

What is SolidWorks?

SolidWorks is a CAD system for designing 3D parts, assemblies and technical drawings. Native SolidWorks files use formats including SLDPRT and SLDASM.

SolidWorks models are also needed in production planning, manufacturing and quality assurance. With 3D-Tool, SolidWorks files can be viewed without a SolidWorks installation.

What is Solid Edge?

Solid Edge is a Siemens CAD system for designing parts, sheet metal parts and assemblies. Its native file formats include PAR for parts, PSM for sheet metal parts and ASM for assemblies.

Solid Edge files can also be opened, inspected and viewed outside the design department with 3D-Tool.

What is Autodesk Inventor?

Autodesk Inventor is a CAD system for the mechanical 3D design of parts and assemblies. Parts are typically saved as IPT files and assemblies as IAM files.

Inventor files are also used in manufacturing and quality assurance. With 3D-Tool, IPT and IAM files can be viewed.

What is a CAD viewer?

A CAD viewer opens and displays 3D CAD models and 2D drawings without requiring the original CAD system. Unlike a CAD system, it is not used to design new models, but to work with existing CAD data.

A 3D CAD viewer displays parts and assemblies spatially. Users can rotate, zoom, section, show and hide, measure, compare, analyze or annotate models.

3D-Tool is a CAD and 3D viewer. Other examples include Autodesk Viewer, eDrawings Viewer, Glovius and Kisters 3DViewStation. The programs differ in their file formats, measurement and analysis functions, and data exchange capabilities.

Can CAD files be opened without the original CAD system?

Yes. A suitable CAD viewer opens CAD files without the original CAD system being installed. For files from CATIA, Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks or Inventor, a viewer that can open the relevant native format is sufficient.

Users can view, rotate, section, measure and analyze the models, but cannot modify them as part of the design process. This is particularly useful for production planning, manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing and sales. These departments need access to technical product data, but not a complete CAD workstation.

3D-Tool opens more than 30 CAD formats. These include STEP, IGES and JT as well as native files from CATIA, Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor and Solid Edge. The format overview shows which formats are available in each 3D-Tool version. CAD expertise or a license for the original CAD system is not required.

What is a CAD model?

A CAD model is the digital representation of a part, assembly or technical product. As a 3D CAD model, it describes the product's spatial shape and dimensions. In addition to geometry, it can contain further information such as materials, colors, part names, manufacturing specifications, dimensions, tolerances and the hierarchical structure of an assembly.

A 3D CAD model can be viewed, rotated and sectioned from different perspectives. This makes it easier to assess shape, structure and spatial relationships than with individual two-dimensional views.

CAD models form the basis for many work steps: design, production planning, inspection, coordination, costing and technical documentation.

What are PMI and GD&T in a CAD model?

PMI stands for "Product and Manufacturing Information" and refers to manufacturing information linked directly to a 3D CAD model. Typical PMI content includes dimensions, tolerances, surface specifications, welding symbols and technical notes. Tolerances can include both dimensional tolerances and geometric tolerances such as form, position or runout tolerances.

GD&T stands for "Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing". It is a standardized system for describing geometric dimensions and tolerances, for example for form, position, orientation and runout. GD&T data is often part of a model's PMI.

This makes manufacturing-relevant specifications available directly on the 3D model. In some processes, supplementary 2D drawings therefore become less important. 3D-Tool Premium displays PMI from native CAD formats as well as from STEP and JT files when this information is included in the model.

What is a tolerance in CAD and technical drawings?

A tolerance specifies how far an actual dimension or geometric property may deviate from a defined nominal value. It therefore determines which deviations are still permissible for a part.

Dimensional tolerances specify, for example, how far a length, diameter or angle may deviate from the nominal dimension. General tolerances apply to dimensions for which no individual tolerance is specified. Geometric tolerances describe permissible deviations in form, orientation, position or runout.

Tolerances can be specified in technical drawings or as part of the PMI directly in the 3D CAD model.

What is the difference between 2D and 3D?

2D means two-dimensional and describes a representation with the two dimensions of length and width. Typical examples include technical drawings, floor plans, side views and section views.

Because a 2D representation has no spatial depth, a product's shape is often described using several views, lines, sections and dimensions. Technical drawings also frequently contain information about dimensions, tolerances, surfaces and manufacturing.

3D means three-dimensional. A 3D model has length, width and height, or spatial depth. It can be rotated and viewed from different perspectives. This makes it easier to recognize the shape of a part and the arrangement of components in an assembly.

In technical practice, the two forms of representation complement each other. 3D CAD models are used for design, visualization and analysis, among other purposes. 2D drawings often contain the dimensions, tolerances and notes required for manufacturing and inspection.

What is the difference between a part and an assembly?

A part is an individual component of a product that is described independently in a CAD model. Examples include a screw, shaft, bracket or housing.

An assembly consists of several parts. It can also contain additional subordinate assemblies. In addition to the individual components, it describes their positions and arrangement within the product.

The assembly structure shows how individual parts belong together and how they form a complete product or functional unit.

This distinction is particularly important when viewing and inspecting complex CAD models. Individual parts within an assembly can be selected, shown and hidden, measured or checked for collisions with other components.

What is a model tree?

A model tree shows the hierarchical structure of a CAD model. It identifies the parts, assemblies and subassemblies that make up a product and how these elements are related.

The model tree makes it easier to navigate large assemblies. Users can select, search or filter individual components. In many viewers, the model tree also controls the visibility and appearance of the parts.

In 3D-Tool, components can be selected in the model tree, displayed separately, made transparent, colored or displayed as wireframes. Parts and assemblies can also be searched, filtered and organized within the model structure.

What is a bill of materials or BOM?

A bill of materials lists the components of an assembly in a structured form. The abbreviation BOM stands for "Bill of Materials". Typical contents include part names, item numbers, quantities and other part information.

It is often based on the assembly structure of the CAD model. The bill of materials therefore shows which components are required for a product and how often they occur. It supports purchasing, manufacturing, assembly, costing and technical documentation.

3D-Tool creates bills of materials from loaded assemblies that can be copied to the clipboard. Reports containing parts lists, model information, dimensions and weights can also be generated. The report contains the information available in the source file.

What is a CAD file format?

A CAD file format defines how the geometry of a technical model and other associated information are stored in a file. The possible file content ranges from individual parts and complete assemblies to technical 2D drawings and triangulated 3D models.

Some formats store mathematically defined surfaces and exact solids. Others represent the surface only as a mesh of triangles or polygons. They can also contain colors, materials, part names, assembly structures, dimensions, tolerances or manufacturing information.

The appropriate CAD file format depends on the intended purpose. The deciding factor is whether the data will be edited as part of the design process, exchanged between different CAD systems, only viewed or used for 3D printing.

What is a native CAD format?

A native CAD format is the original file format of a specific CAD system. Examples include CATPart and CATProduct from CATIA, SLDPRT and SLDASM from SolidWorks, and IPT and IAM from Inventor.

In addition to geometry, native CAD files often store system-specific information. This includes sketches, features, parameters, dependencies, configurations, assembly relationships and the design history.

Native formats are particularly suitable for complete editing in the original CAD system. Other programs usually read the geometry and some of the additional information. System-specific design features and editing steps are not always transferred completely.

Which well-known CAD programs and native file formats are available?

Widely used CAD systems include CATIA, Siemens NX, PTC Creo, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor and Solid Edge. Each system uses its own native file formats.

Typical associations are: CATIA V5 - CATPart/CATProduct, Siemens NX - PRT, Creo - PRT/ASM, SolidWorks - SLDPRT/SLDASM, Inventor - IPT/IAM and Solid Edge - PAR/PSM/ASM. AutoCAD primarily uses DWG, while Rhino uses 3DM.

Native files often contain more system-specific information than neutral exchange formats. STEP, IGES, JT or Parasolid are therefore used to transfer data to other systems.

What is a neutral CAD exchange format?

A neutral exchange format is used to transfer CAD data between different CAD systems and technical applications. It reduces dependence on the CAD system originally used.

Well-known neutral formats include STEP and IGES. JT, Parasolid X_T, Parasolid X_B and SAT are also used across systems. Depending on their structure, these formats transfer exact 3D geometry, triangulated visualization data, assembly structures, colors and other product information.

Neutral exchange formats are particularly useful when the sender and recipient use different CAD systems. Design history, system-specific features and certain dependencies are often not transferred completely. It should therefore be clear before the exchange which information will be needed later.

Visualization formats should be distinguished from these formats. They are mainly used to display and share 3D models or provide them for documentation and 3D printing. They usually contain triangulated geometry data instead of exact CAD geometry.

What is a STEP or STP file?

STEP is a standardized exchange format for digital product data. Its name stands for "Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data" and it is based on the ISO 10303 series of standards.

The file extensions .step and .stp refer to the same format. Other variants include the compressed .stpz extension. STEP files are used to exchange exact 3D geometry, parts and assemblies between different CAD systems.

STEP can also store assembly structures, colors, materials, dimensions, tolerances and other product or manufacturing information.

A STEP file does not contain the complete design history of the original model. STEP is therefore particularly well suited to the system-independent transfer and further processing of geometric product data.

What is the difference between STEP AP203, AP214 and AP242?

AP203, AP214 and AP242 are application protocols of the STEP standard. They define which types of product information can be stored in a STEP file and transferred between applications.

AP203 was developed primarily for exchanging mechanical parts and assembly structures. AP214 expanded the scope of data to include colors and additional product information and was used particularly in the automotive industry.

AP242 combines key content from AP203 and AP214 and is designed for modern, model-based data exchange. This also includes the transfer of product and manufacturing information (PMI), such as dimensions, tolerances and technical notes.

The information actually contained in a STEP file depends not only on the application protocol. The CAD system that created the file and the export settings selected there are also important.

What is an IGES or IGS file?

IGES is a neutral exchange format for CAD data. The extensions .iges and .igs refer to the same format.

IGES was developed primarily for exchanging curves, surfaces and technical drawings. It also transfers three-dimensional geometry, but often represents complex models as a collection of individual surfaces.

The format is still used for older CAD data and certain manufacturing processes. When complex solids or assemblies are exchanged, separate surfaces, gaps or incomplete product structures can result.

For modern solid models and assemblies, STEP is usually the better choice. IGES remains useful when surface and curve data needs to be transferred or an older target system cannot read a more suitable format.

What is a JT file?

JT is a standardized 3D data format for visualization, collaboration and the company-wide use of technical product data. It is particularly suitable for the compact provision of large models and assemblies.

JT can contain triangulated mesh data for fast display. Exact B-Rep geometry, assembly structures, colors, materials, metadata and product manufacturing information are also possible.

The content varies from file to file. If a JT file contains only triangulated data, it is primarily suitable for viewing and inspection. If exact geometry data is included, suitable software can also process it geometrically or transfer it to other CAD formats.

What is the difference between STL and 3MF?

STL and 3MF are file formats for triangulated 3D models. They are used particularly for 3D printing.

An STL file describes a model's surface as a mesh of triangles. Exact B-Rep geometry, assembly structures, colors, materials and a clearly defined unit of measurement are not part of the standard.

3MF is a more modern format for additive manufacturing. In addition to mesh geometry, it stores units, colors, materials, multiple objects and further manufacturing information in a structured form.

For both formats, the resolution of the triangle mesh affects display quality. A fine mesh represents curves more accurately, but creates larger files and requires more processing power.

STL is sufficient for simple, widely compatible geometry data. 3MF is the better choice when units, colors, materials, multiple objects or additional manufacturing information need to be included.

What are Parasolid X_T and Parasolid X_B?

Parasolid is a geometry modeling kernel used by various CAD systems. Files in the Parasolid format generally store three-dimensional geometry as exact B-Rep data.

The .x_t extension identifies the text-based Parasolid X_T variant. The .x_b extension identifies the more compact binary Parasolid X_B variant. Both formats can contain parts and exact surface or solid geometry.

Parasolid files are particularly suitable for exchanging exact geometry between applications with a Parasolid kernel. System-specific design features, parameters and the complete model history are generally not transferred.

Parasolid X_T and X_B files can be opened with a suitable viewer without the original CAD system. With 3D-Tool, these files can be viewed, analyzed and converted.

What is the difference between DWG and DXF?

DWG and DXF are CAD file formats from the Autodesk and AutoCAD environment. Both store technical 2D drawings and can also contain three-dimensional objects.

DWG is AutoCAD's native drawing and model format. It stores drawing and model data compactly in a binary file and is used for editing and saving AutoCAD projects.

DXF stands for "Drawing Exchange Format" and was developed to transfer drawing and geometry data between different applications. The format transfers contours and technical drawings to CAD, CAM or manufacturing systems.

DWG is particularly suitable for further editing in a compatible AutoCAD environment. DXF is mainly used to exchange drawing and geometry data with other technical applications. The file extension alone does not reliably indicate whether a DWG or DXF file contains 2D or 3D data.

Which CAD file format is suitable for which purpose?

The native format is the best choice for further editing in the original CAD system. STEP, Parasolid X_T/X_B or SAT are suitable for exchanging exact geometry. JT is particularly suitable for visualization and large assemblies.

DWG and DXF are widely used for drawings and 2D contours. STL and 3MF store triangulated models for visualization and 3D printing. The source system, target system and required information are important when choosing a format. A visualization format is not automatically suitable for further design work.

What are wireframe models, wireframe displays and hidden-line displays?

A classic wireframe model describes the shape of a 3D object using only lines, curves and edges. In modern CAD viewers, "wireframe" often refers to a display mode for a surface, solid or mesh model. The underlying geometry is not changed.

In a hidden-line display, the model is shown using lines while hidden edges are removed. This makes contours and part boundaries easier to recognize.

3D-Tool offers shaded display, shaded with edges, wireframe, hidden lines, mesh and mesh-point display.

What is an exploded representation or exploded view?

An exploded representation, also known as an exploded drawing in technical documentation, shows the parts of an assembly spatially separated from one another while retaining their basic relationship. This makes the structure, assembly relationships and individual components easier to understand.

Such views are used for assembly, service, technical documentation and presentations.

In 3D-Tool, parts can be exploded manually or automatically and the resulting views can be saved.

What is the difference between B-Rep and mesh?

B-Rep and mesh are two different ways of describing the geometry of a 3D model.

B-Rep stands for "Boundary Representation". It describes the shape of a body using mathematically defined surfaces, curves, edges and vertices. B-Rep data is particularly suitable for precise geometric calculations, analyses and further processing in CAD systems.

A mesh, by contrast, describes the surface using a network of polygons, usually triangles. The smaller and more numerous the triangles are, the more accurately curved surfaces are approximated.

Mesh data is used primarily for visualization and 3D printing. Even a finely resolved mesh remains an approximation and does not contain mathematically exact CAD surfaces.

The appropriate representation depends on the objective: B-Rep is suitable for further CAD processing, while mesh is primarily intended for visualization and 3D printing. 3D-Tool prepares loaded models for display as triangulated visualization data. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter transfers existing B-Rep geometry to formats including STEP, IGES, JT, Parasolid X_T and SAT. A mesh, such as one from an STL file, cannot be converted back into exact B-Rep geometry.

What is the difference between a solid model and a surface model?

A solid model describes a closed three-dimensional body. The inside and outside are clearly defined. This makes it possible to determine volume, surface area, center of gravity and other mass properties.

Solid models are particularly suitable for mechanical parts, design, production planning, collision checking and geometric analyses.

A surface model, by contrast, consists of individual or interconnected mathematical surfaces. These surfaces do not necessarily have to form a closed body. A surface model can therefore also represent an open model shell without a clearly defined volume.

Surface models are suitable for complex exterior shapes, free-form surfaces, design surfaces or geometry that is not yet completely closed. If all surfaces are connected seamlessly, they can form a closed solid.

Whether volume, weight and center of gravity can be determined depends on the actual model. Open or faulty surfaces can prevent these calculations.

3D-Tool's Model Info displays dimensions, surface area and volume if the model permits these calculations. With an assigned material, weight and center of gravity can also be determined.

What is the difference between triangulation and tessellation?

Tessellation approximates the surface of a mathematically defined 3D model using small polygons. When only triangles are used, this is called triangulation.

This allows CAD models to be displayed quickly on screen and stored in mesh or visualization formats. Curved surfaces such as cylinders, holes and fillets are approximated using flat triangles.

A large number of small triangles makes curves appear smoother, but increases the amount of data and the processing effort. Fewer and larger triangles speed up display, but can make curves appear more angular.

For CAD formats containing exact geometry, the quality of the visualization data can be controlled during import. For already triangulated formats such as STL, the resolution was defined during export.

In the 3D-Tool Viewer, triangulation quality therefore affects display accuracy, data volume and processing speed. However, higher quality does not create exact B-Rep geometry.

What can be measured in a CAD model?

Distances, angles, radii, diameters, edge lengths and coordinates can be measured in a CAD model. Dimensions, surface area and volume can also be determined if the geometry permits. With an assigned material, weight and center of gravity can also be determined.

These measurements help when checking installation space, holes, material requirements and installation situations. A complete CAD system is not required for this.

3D-Tool measures 3D models and 2D drawings. It can also determine the area of individual surfaces, contour lengths and clearances between parts. The accuracy of measurements and analyses depends on the source data and import quality.

What are dimensions and annotations in a CAD viewer?

Dimensions display measured values such as distances, angles, radii or diameters directly on the model. Annotations add notes, markings or comments to the model without modifying the original CAD data as part of the design process.

Dimensions and annotations are suitable for inspection, coordination and technical documentation. In 3D-Tool, measurement results can be retained as dynamic annotations on the model and saved together with model views.

What role do material and density play in a CAD model?

In addition to its geometry, a CAD model can contain material information. Density is particularly relevant when calculating mass. In simplified terms, mass is calculated as volume × density.

If geometry, units and material density are defined correctly, mass and center of gravity can be determined from them.

3D-Tool assigns materials from a material database and imports existing material names and densities from native CAD data. This information can be used to determine the model's weight and center of gravity.

What is a cross-section or section plane in a 3D model?

A cross-section displays a 3D model opened along a section plane, revealing cavities, hidden contours and internal parts. The original model is not changed.

Section views help when inspecting holes, channels, wall structures and installation situations. Geometry that is difficult to access can also be selected and measured in the section.

In 3D-Tool, section planes can be positioned and aligned, individual parts can be excluded from the section, and the current section line can be exported as a DXF file.

What is a bounding box for a 3D model?

A bounding box is a rectangular box that completely encloses a 3D model. Its length, width and height show the total space required by a part or assembly.

A minimum bounding box is aligned so that it encloses the model with the smallest possible dimensions. Its orientation can therefore differ from the original model axes.

The resulting dimensions help with packaging and transport planning, installation-space checks, and the selection of raw material or machines.

3D-Tool automatically calculates the minimum bounding box for parts and assemblies. This quickly reveals the smallest possible overall dimensions of a model. This helps, for example, when determining raw material requirements and estimating manufacturing and material costs.

What is wall thickness analysis?

Wall thickness analysis determines the material thickness of a 3D model and reveals areas that are too thin, too thick or uneven. It is particularly relevant for injection molding, casting, lightweight construction and 3D printing.

Critical wall thicknesses affect stability, material consumption, cooling and manufacturing quality. A surface-based analysis reveals such areas more quickly than individual manual distance measurements.

3D-Tool displays the calculated wall thicknesses directly on the model. They are shown as a color spectrum or using defined tolerance ranges.

What is draft angle analysis?

Draft angle analysis checks whether a part can be removed from a mold or tool in a specified direction. It is used primarily for injection-molded and cast parts.

The analysis focuses primarily on draft angles and undercuts. Missing or insufficient draft angles make removal from the mold more difficult. Undercuts prevent direct removal in the selected direction and can require additional tool components such as slides.

3D-Tool marks draft angles and undercuts on the model using colors. It can also determine mold cavities and the projected area. The required clamping force can be derived from the projected area - an important basis for selecting a suitable injection-molding machine. This makes it possible to estimate manufacturing costs and tooling effort more accurately at an early stage.

What is the difference between collision analysis and clearance analysis?

Collision analysis checks whether parts in an assembly touch or intersect one another. Clearance analysis, by contrast, checks whether there is sufficient free space between components.

Collision analysis therefore identifies existing intersections. Clearance analysis additionally reveals critical installation situations in which a defined minimum clearance is not met even though no collision has occurred yet.

In collision mode, 3D-Tool marks contacts and intersections in red. In clearance mode, a heat map shows where a freely defined minimum clearance is not met. This allows fit problems to be identified early in installation studies and feasibility studies.

What is a 3D model comparison?

A 3D model comparison reveals differences between two models or model versions. It is suitable for inspecting design changes, supplier data and different revision levels.

3D-Tool superimposes the two models and colors them differently. This quickly reveals which areas have been added or removed. Additional views using transparency or a combination of solid and wireframe display make it easier to assess small differences.

The graphical comparison provides a quick visual assessment of model differences directly in the 3D display. Cross-sections, transparency and selectively hiding individual parts also reveal differences inside the model. For a meaningful result, the models are positioned appropriately in relation to one another.

What is CAD conversion?

CAD conversion transfers 3D data from one file format to another so it can be opened or processed further in a different application. Which geometries and additional information are retained depends on the source format, target format and file content.

A typical application is converting native files from CATIA, Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks or Inventor to STEP for further use in other programs.

The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium transfers native CAD models and exchange formats to widely used CAD formats such as STEP, IGES, JT, Parasolid X_T and SAT. Visualization formats such as STL, 3MF, glTF, 3D-PDF and 3D-HTML are also available for presentations, documentation, the web and 3D printing. This allows CAD data to be provided flexibly for customers, suppliers, manufacturing or technical documentation.

What is the difference between import and export?

During import, an application reads an external file and adopts its content. During export, loaded or created data is written to another file format. Information that the target format cannot store is lost or simplified. This applies, for example, to assembly structures, colors or exact surfaces.

3D-Tool imports numerous native CAD formats and exchange formats. Exact CAD exchange formats and triangulated visualization formats are available for output. Individual parts can be selected from an assembly and saved or converted separately.

What is the difference between exact CAD conversion and conversion to mesh formats?

During exact CAD conversion, mathematically defined surfaces and solids are transferred as B-Rep geometry. This exact geometry data is suitable for precise measurements, geometric analyses and further processing in a CAD or CAM system.

When converting to a mesh format, the model surface is approximated using a network of polygons, usually triangles. This triangulated data is particularly suitable for visualization, documentation, web display and 3D printing.

Converting a CAD model to STL, 3MF or glTF generally creates triangulated mesh data. Formats such as STEP, Parasolid X_T or SAT are suitable for transferring exact CAD geometry.

The 3D-NativeCAD Converter can output existing B-Rep geometry as STEP, IGES, JT, Parasolid X_T or SAT. 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, glTF and STL are available for triangulated product visualizations.

Can a mesh be converted into a B-Rep model?

A mesh describes the surface of a model using triangles or other polygons. A B-Rep model, by contrast, contains mathematically defined surfaces, edges and solids. This exact information is missing from a mesh. Normal CAD conversion therefore cannot automatically convert it back into the original B-Rep geometry.

Simply converting an STL file to STEP therefore does not create the original exact CAD geometry. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter can output exact B-Rep data only if the source file already contains exact geometry.

If the model is available only as a mesh, 3D-Tool can transfer it to other visualization formats. Reconstructing new mathematical geometry would instead require a separate reverse-engineering process.

How can CAD models be shared with colleagues, customers or suppliers?

CAD models can be output in formats that recipients can open without the original CAD system. The appropriate format depends on whether the model will only be viewed, inspected interactively or processed further as part of the design process.

3D-Tool provides several options: models can be provided as DDD files for the free 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D-PDF files for Adobe Reader. 3D-Tool Premium can also create interactive 3D-HTML pages for modern web browsers and JT files for JT viewers. Dimensions, annotations and prepared views can be included in suitable output formats.

This gives employees, customers and suppliers clear access to the 3D data even without their own CAD license, allowing them to use it for coordination, inspection or documentation.