Import and export to other filetypes
FreeCAD can import and export to many filetypes. Here is a list of the most important ones with a short description of the available features:
Format | Import | Export | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
STEP | Yes | Yes | This is the most faithful import/export format available, since it supports solid geometry and NURBS. Use it whenever possible. |
IGES | Yes | Yes | An older solid format, also very well supported. Some older applications don't support STEP but have IGES. |
BREP | Yes | Yes | The native format of OpenCasCade, FreeCAD's geometry kernel. |
DXF | Yes | Yes | An open format maintained by Autodesk. Since the 3D data inside a DXF file is encoded in a proprietary format, FreeCAD can only import/export 2D data to/from this format. |
DWG | Yes | Yes | A proprietary file format. Requires the installation of the Teigha File Converter utility. This format suffers from the same proprietary limitations as DXF. |
OBJ | Yes | Yes | A mesh-based format. Can only contain triangulated meshes. All solid and NURBS-based objects of FreeCAD will be converted to mesh on export. An alternative exporter is provided by the Arch workbench, more suited to the export of architectural models. |
DAE | Yes | Yes | The main import/export format of Sketchup. Can only contain triangulated meshes. All solid and NURBS-based objects of FreeCAD will be converted to mesh on export. |
STL | Yes | Yes | A mesh-based format, commonly used for 3D printing. Can only contain triangulated meshes. All solid and NURBS-based objects of FreeCAD will be converted to mesh on export. |
PLY | Yes | Yes | An older mesh-based format. Can only contain triangulated meshes. All solid and NURBS-based objects of FreeCAD will be converted to mesh on export. |
IFC | Yes | Yes | Industry Foundation Classes. Requires the installation of IfcOpenShell-python. The IFC format and its compatibility with other applications is a complex affair, use with care. |
SVG | Yes | Yes | An excellent, widespread 2D graphics format |
VRML | Yes | Yes | A rather old mesh-based web format. |
GCODE | Yes | Yes | FreeCAD can import and export to/from several flavors of GCode, (aka RS-274) but only a small number of machines are supported at the moment. |
CSG | Yes | No | OpenSCAD's CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry) format. |
Some of these file formats have options. These can be configured from menu Edit -> Preferences -> Import/export:
Read more
- All file formats supported by FreeCAD: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Import_Export
- Working with DXF files in FreeCAD: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Draft_DXF
- Enabling DXF and DWG support: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dxf_Importer_Install
- Working with SVG files in FreeCAD: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Draft_SVG
- Importing and exporting to IFC: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Arch_IFC
- OpenCasCade: http://www.opencascade.com
- Teigha File Converter: https://www.opendesign.com/guestfiles
- The IFC format: http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/ifc/IFC4/final/html/index.htm
- IfcOpenShell: http://ifcopenshell.org/