3D File Types

  • Before you begin filling out your RFQs (Request for Quotes) we want to brief you on the different types of files we will require from you.
  • First we will need a 3D Model of your part.
    • This file should be saved as a PARASOLID, IGS, STEP, or STL file.
  • A STL (Standard Tessellation Language) file is widely used for rapid prototyping and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing).
    • STL files typically only describe the surface geometry of a 3D object without a specified material for the part, texture, or other common CAD (Computer Aided Design) attributes.
    • Furthermore STL files describe raw unstructured triangulated surfaces by geometries located within a standard Cartesian coordinate system.
    • This allows STL files to enable slicing software to interpret the models and produce a .GCODE file ready for 3D Printing.
  • An IGS file is a vendor-neutral file, meaning it is not owned by any one company, that allows the digital exchange of information from CAD software.
    • This file can be used to display various forms of technical information including wiring diagrams, wireframes, and 3D solid models.
    • This file format has been around for about three decades and is in the process of being replaced by the STEP file.
  • The STEP file is an abbreviation for: Standard for the Exchange of Product model data. 
    • These files represent 3D objects in CAD software.
    • It was designed as a successor to the IGS file even though it has not fully replaced it as of yet.
    • Although it has not fully replaced the IGS file yet, STEP files are as close to the universal standard of 3D modeling as currently available This means that STEP files are used in many industries and contain data from the entire life-cycle of a product's design. 
  • Possibly the most unique file type is the PARASOLID file.
    • The PARASOLID is often used to capture high-detail information for 3D CAD models that are extremely complex that the STEP and IGS files have difficulty with.
    • Unlike the STEP and IGS files, the PARASOLID file is not strictly vendor neutral or a universal format, but it is able to be handled by a very broad amount of applications.
      • There are two different versions of the PARASOLID file, the .x_t and the .x_b files.
        • The .x_t is usually the file extension and it contains the most information about your 3D model of the two types.
        • However if you run into any errors trying to save your 3D model as a .x_t you will have to save it as .x_b instead.

2D File Types

  • We also require a 2D file of your part.
    • The three most commonly used 2D files used for CAD are .PDF, .DXF, or .DWF.
    • A .DXF file is a CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data exchange and interoperability between AutoCAD and various other CAD software programs.
      • This type of file is regarded as a legacy format that can only store simple CAD files.
    • A .DWF file was also developed by Autodesk for efficient distribution and communication of design data to anyone who wants to view, review, or print design files.
      • These files are highly compressed, meaning they are smaller and can be transferred faster than other design files.
    • Finally is the .PDF file.
      • This file is primarily used to call out overall dimensions, tolerances, and tapped & threaded holes.
      • This file cannot be loaded into any software and is primarily used to show different sectional views of the part.

Why do we require 2D and 3D files?

  • You might be wondering why we require both 2D and 3D files from you.
    • 2D files help us generate a 2D sectional view of the part. This allows us to have a better understanding of how the final product will look.
      • 2D files are also necessary for calling out overall dimensions, any tolerances that are better than +/- 0.005, and tapped & threaded holes.
    • 3D files are necessary so there is no guess work on the manufacturers side when loading it into any necessary software to begin production of the part.