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!

Autodesk DWG
Please refer to the Page FreeCAD and DWG-Import

Autodesk DXF
Please refer to the Page FreeCAD and DXF Import

Tutorial: DXF Importer Install

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
Todo

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
Todo

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.

SVG as geometry
Todo

Spreadsheet
Todo

VRML 2.0
Todo

3D View (SVG)
Todo

Autodesk DWG
Todo

Autodesk DXF
Todo

BREP Format
Todo

Collada
Todo

Drawing
Todo

FEM Formats
Todo

Flattened SVG
Todo

IGES Format
Tip
 * 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

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
Todo

Inventor V2.1
Todo

Mesh Formats
Tip
 * 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 Module to adjust the quality of the mesh if needed.

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 Module
Todo

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