FreeCAD Howto Import Export

This page attempts to answer the most common questions asked on the FreeCAD forums on import and export of data to/from other programs. If you have a problem or question regarding FreeCAD, check below first.

Then, if you cannot find an answer for your specific question, head to the FreeCAD forum!

Import 2D/3D Data

Autodesk DWG

Please refer to the Page FreeCAD and DWG-Import

Autodesk DXF

Please refer to the Page FreeCAD and DXF Import

BREP Format

Todo

Calculix Result

Todo

Collada

Importing Collada files requires an external Python module to be installed on your system. This can be easily added by following the directions found on the Extra Python modules page under pyCollada in this Wiki. Once the pyCollada Python module is installed, importing Collada files is the same as any standard file import.

See also: Importing From Sketchup

Common Airfoil Data

Please refer to the Page Common Airfoil Data Import

Drawing

Todo

FEM Formats

Todo

FreeCAD Material Cards

Is intended to import Material Cards for use in FreeCAD itself and in the FEM-Workbench.

Not functional at the moment.

IDF emn file

Todo

IGES

Currently there is no support for text or annotation import with the IGES format due to lack of support with FreeCAD's geometric CAD kernel.

Image Formats

Todo

Industry Foundation Classes IFC

• Import/Export IFC - compiling IfcOpenShell

Inventor V2.1

Todo

Mesh Formats

Please refer to the Page FreeCAD and Mesh Import

Open CAD Format

Todo

OpenSCAD CSG Format

Todo

OpenSCAD Format

See Import OpenSCAD code

Point Formats

Todo

POVRay Format

Todo

Python

Todo

Step with Colors

Currently there is no support for text or annotation import with the STEP format due to lack of support with FreeCAD's geometric CAD kernel.

Shapefiles

See Arch SHP

Spreadsheet

Todo

SVG as geometry

Todo

VRML 2.0

Todo

Export 2D/3D Data

3D View (SVG)

Todo

Autodesk DWG

Todo

Asymptote ASY

Export meshes to Asymptote code.

BREP Format

Todo

Collada

Todo

Drawing

Todo

FEM Formats

Todo

Flattened SVG

Todo

GL Transmission Format gITF

• glTF

IGES Format

• From the 3D-View simply select (in the tree-view) the solid(s) to export and select "File -> Export".
• Then select your file type (IGES). No need to type in the file extension. FreeCAD will append a ".iges" automatically

Tip
Pressing CTRL-A will select ALL solids in the tree view, even the invisible ones.
Make sure to manually select all the solids you want to export.

Currently there is no support for text or annotation export with the IGES format due to lack of support with FreeCAD's geometric CAD kernel.

Industry Foundation Classes IFC

• Import/Export IFC - compiling IfcOpenShell

Inventor V2.1

Todo

Mesh Formats

• From the 3D-View simply select (in the tree-view) the solid(s) to export and select "File -> Export".
• Then select your file type. Be sure to type in also the file extension. Since these formats are mesh formats, the solids will be exported with a "standard" mesh quality.
• Use the Mesh Workbench to adjust the quality of the mesh if needed.

Tip
Pressing CTRL-A will select ALL solids in the tree view, even the invisible ones.
Make sure to manually select all the solids you want to export.

Open CAD Format

Todo

OpenSCAD CSG Format

Todo

OpenSCAD Format

Todo

Portable Document Format

Todo

Step with Colors

From the 3D-View simply select (in the tree-view) the solid(s) to export and select "File -> Export".

In FreeCAD 0.15 and above, by selecting "Edit -> Preferences" and then "Import-Export" in the left column you should have access to Step-Options such as units, scheme and Header Information. Be aware that Step AP203 does not support assembly structures, while Step AP 214 does.

Currently there is no support for text or annotation export with the STEP format due to lack of support with FreeCAD's geometric CAD kernel.

Spreadsheet

Todo

TetGen File

Todo

VRML 2.0

Todo

Wavefront OBJ - Arch Workbench

Todo

• Convert STL to OBJ forum thread

WebGL File

Todo

Export Data from third-party programs for import into FreeCAD

Tips and Tricks with using Third-Party Software

Inkscape

When exporting SVG-Data from Inkscape to FreeCAD be sure to use the file type "plain svg".

Sketchup

Please refer to the Page Importing From Sketchup

Related

• Import Export
• Import Export Preferences