SolidWorks to Zaxwerks

[Edward Wu]

Hi Brian,

I haven’t used Solidworks before, but perhaps you can try exporting the model out as the DXF 3D model type. Our program usually works best if you try importing a Maya .obj object, or a Lightwave .lwo object. However, the AutoCAD DXF format works as well.

If you are working with a flat logo design that you want to extrude, you can try exporting the logo out as an Illustrator format, and try importing the logo into our program. It will take the vector design of the logo, and extrude it. In terms of version 4 and version 5, they have the same compatibility for importing 3D models.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Brian Ferguson]

I found out the DXF 3D is only an import option. I am not able to extrude the item in this case. Thanks for the reply.

[Matt Rhodes]

Hi Brian.

I’d suggest using your favorite search engine to seek out a 3D export plug-in.

I Googled: “solidworks 3d export”

There seem to be a number of them. Some are free.
Exporting to 3DS or OBJ or DXF should work.

Matt Rhodes
Zaxwerks, Inc.

[Brian Ferguson]

I thought I would post my own follow up on this.

I had a solidworks STL file exported.

I downloaded some freeware called MeshLab. I had better luck with the 32 bit version even though I installed the x64 version first, it kept complaining about having visual C++ redestibutable 2008 SP1 and it would only work with that package. Anyway, I imported the STL in MeshLab and then exported a 3DS file, which imported into ZaxWerks.