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Import and Optimise CAD Models

JoinXR Support
  • Updated

With JoinXR's CAD Optimiser feature you can import CAD files in 40+ formats and convert them for rendering in JoinXR meetings in headset and on desktop.

Overview

CAD Optimisation is achieved in 3 steps: upload; conversion; and download. Once complete, the output model (in .glb format) can be added to a JoinXR document in the usual way for 3D models using the JoinXR Desktop app.

Step-by-Step

Upload

First select the file (4 GB max.) from your filesystem and wait while it uploads to our conversion servers.  

Convert

Next configure which operations will be applied to import and convert the model

The best set of operations for your input file will depend on several factors. Each of the options includes a detailed tooltip explaining the operation and giving hints for when it is most appropriate to enable or disable.

Once you have configured your conversion (the defaults are always a sensible starting point) press Convert and then wait while the conversion job queues, begins and completes. 

Most conversions will complete within 3-5 minutes, but larger models or ones with large numbers of parts or materials can take 15-20 minutes or more.

Download/Reconvert

Once your initial conversion has completed, the right hand panel will provide a download link alongisde some summary statistics and a guidance on using the resulting file in a JoinXR document.

At this point you can re-run the conversion again with different settings without needing to repeat the Upload step. Simply modify the options and press Convert again.

 

How to Upload Multi-File CAD Assemblies

Some CAD packages, like CATIA, produce files that consist of multiple files that reference each other. To ensure the service can fully process the assembly and generate a complete output, all referenced files need to be included when uploading.

  1. Zip your files – include the main assembly and all referenced parts.

  2. Go to the CAD Optimiser service.

  3. Upload the zip file.

  4. Select the main assembly from the list of supported file formats detected inside the zip.

  5. Continue the conversion as normal.

 

 

Supported Formats

The following gives a full list of all supported import formats

CAD & BIM Formats (BREP, PMI, and structured formats)

  • ACIS – .sab, .sat
  • AutoCAD 3D – .dwg
  • Autodesk Inventor* – .iam, .ipt
  • Autodesk Navisworks – .nwd, .nwc
  • CATIA V4 – .model, .session
  • CATIA V5* – .CATPart, .CATProduct, .CATShape, .CGR 
  • CATIA V6 – .3dxml
  • Creo / ProE* – .asm, .prt, .xas, .xpr
  • GL Transmission Format (glTF) – .glb, .gltf
  • IFC / IFCZIP – .ifc
  • IGES – .igs, .iges
  • JT – .jt
  • NX / Unigraphics – .prt
  • Parasolid – .p_b, .p_t, .x_b, .x_t, .xmt, .xmt_bin, .xmt_txt
  • PDF (3D) – .pdf
  • PLMXML – .plmxml
  • PRC – .prc
  • Revit – .rvt, .rfa
  • Rhino3D – .3dm
  • STEP / STEPZ / STPX / STPXZ – .stp, .step, .stpz, .stepz, .stpx, .stpxz
  • Solid Edge – .asm, .par, .psm, .pwd
  • SolidWorks – .sldasm, .sldprt
  • VDA-FS – .vda

* We recommend zipping all files in the assembly before upload

Mesh & Polygon Formats (tessellated only)

  • 3DS – .3ds
  • COLLADA – .dae
  • FBX – .fbx
  • OBJ – .obj
  • STL – .stl
  • U3D – .u3d
  • VRML – .vrml, .wrl

Scene Formats & Lightweight Runtimes

  • USD – .usd, .usda, .usdc, .usdz
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