list_alt Summary
Published on   March 25, 2025 ,  by Maxime CASIER

Export/import faceted files with SOLIDWORKS

Learn how to create faceted (mesh) files with SOLIDWORKS to use your designs in sculpting, 3D rendering and 3D printing software.
SOLIDWORKS
Step 1

Preparing a file for STL export

You can export a SOLIDWORKS file in STL format.

  • When exporting, you can specify a few general options for the file.

  • It is also possible to prepare your file prior to export, in order to check your mesh.

The "Convert to mesh body" function will generate an additional mesh-type volume body in your SOLIDWORKS file.

This body will be updated when the file is modified, and can be used for STL export.

Step 2

Import a mesh file

SOLIDWORKS offers 3 mesh file import options (*.STL, *.OBJ):

  • Volumetric

  • Surface

  • Graphic

Volumetric and surface import will convert all the facets of the 3D model into the SOLIDWORKS file. Depending on the number of facets, this operation can be very cumbersome, making the file impractical to use.

Importing the graphic body will be very quick, but will mainly only allow visualization actions at the graphic body level in the SOLIDWORKS file.

In SOLIWORKS, it is possible to use facets of a graphic body to reconstruct surfaces. We can use these surfaces to recreate the complete volume, or simply to access the faces we'll be using as references.

Step 3

Creating a surface function from a mesh

The "Surface from mesh" function in SOLIDWORKS lets you select facets of a graphic body to create flat, cylindrical, conical or spherical surfaces.

These functions make it easier to work with mesh files, and to exchange data with other professions, such as 3D printing.