Creating and editing your 3D models
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      Exporting CAD Files for Partful.

      Below are the instructions on how best to export your CAD data from Solidworks, Creo, Catia, Inventor and Solid Edge to fit into the Partful Platform.

      If you're looking for details on what CAD we accept please see this article instead.

      Softwares:

      Please note:

      Why is it important to ensure all the part and assembly references are up to date?
      When your file is run through our pipeline, if the General Assembly file has out-of-date assembly and part references then you will find that the converted file won’t include all the parts.

       

      Solidworks:

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      1. Open the General Assembly:
        • Open SolidWorks.
        • Open the .sldasm file you want to export.
      2. Access Pack and Go:
        • With the general assembly open, go to the "File" menu. 
        • Click on "Pack and Go". This might also be accessed by clicking on the SolidWorks logo at the top left, depending on your version of Solidworks.
      3. Select/Verify Files to include:
        • In the Pack and Go dialogue, you will see a list of all the files that the assembly depends on. This includes parts, subassemblies, and any other reference items. 
        • Verify that all the items you want to include are checked. Usually, they are checked by default. 
      4. Include Toolbox Components:
        • If your assembly includes Toolbox components, you should also check the option to include those. 
      5. Choose a Save Location:
        • Choose where you want to save the files. You can save them to a folder on your computer or directly to an external drive. 
      6. Save the Pack and Go:
        • Once you've configured all the options, click on 'Save to Zip file'. Saving to a Zip files will compress all of the data into one single file that's easier to transfer. 
      7. Upload the Zip file:
        • You can now upload this Zip file via the Partful uploads page. 

       

      Creo

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      1. Open the General Assembly:

        • Launch Creo Parametric and open the assembly file you wish to back up.

        • Perform a visual check of the CAD file.
            1. Check for all parts and assemblies in the viewport
            2. Check for any warnings on any parts / assemblies
        • Check that all references are associated to the General Assembly file
            1. If there are any errors, please amend them and proceed with the export instructions.

      2. Access Backup:

        • Go to the "File" menu.

        • Choose "Backup..." from the drop-down menu.

      3. Select Backup Options:

        • In the Backup dialog box, you can choose different options depending on what you want to include in the backup.

        • You can specify the backup folder and set options for what to include, such as drawings, family table instances, and other dependencies.

      4. Include Drawings and Dependencies:

        • Make sure to check the appropriate boxes if you want to include all drawings and dependent files. This ensures that all relevant files are collected, similar to including drawings and references in SolidWorks’ Pack and Go.

      5. Start the Backup:

        • After setting all options, you can start the backup process. Creo will then collect all the specified files and place them in the designated backup folder.

      6. Archive:

        • Using software like 7zip or WinZip, compress the backup folder to a single .zip file.

      7. Upload the zip file:

        • You can now upload this Zip file via the Partful uploads page.

       

      Catia

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      Using Send to:

      1. Open the Product (Assembly):

        • Launch CATIA and open the product (.CATProduct) you want to package.

        • Perform a visual check of the CAD file.
            1. Check for all parts and assemblies in the viewport
            2. Check for any warnings on any parts / assemblies
        • Check that all references are associated to the General Assembly file
            1. If there are any errors, please amend them and proceed with the export instructions.

      2. Access Send To:

        • With the product file open, go to the "File" menu and select "Send To", then "Directory". This ensures that all file references are packaged into a single directory.

      3. Archive:

        • Using software like 7zip or WinZip, compress the created directory to a single .zip file.

      4. Upload the zip file:

        • You can now upload this Zip file via the Partful uploads page

       

      Inventor

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      1. Open the project or assembly in Autodesk Inventor.
        1. Perform a visual check of the CAD file.
          1. Check for all parts and assemblies in the viewport
          2. Check for any warnings on any parts / assemblies
        2. Check that all references are associated to the General Assembly file
          1. If there are any errors, please amend them and proceed with the export instructions.
      2. Go to the "File" menu in the top-left corner and select "Save As".
      3. Within the "Save As" menu selecting "Pack and Go" will open a dialog box that allows you to choose what to include in the package. Ensure the following are selected:
        1. Copy to single path.
        2. Include linked files.
        3. The relevant project file.
        4. Package as zip.
      4. Click "Search now" and wait for it to find all of the relevant files
      5. Click "Start" and wait for the zip file to finish exporting and compressing
      6. Upload the final zip file that has been exported via the uploads page.