Exporting Documents and Setting Options

When you export a document from the SOLIDWORKS application, options are available for various types of files.

To export a SOLIDWORKS document as another file type:

  1. Select one of the following:
    • The face or surface of a part in the graphics area
    • A solid body or surface body from the Solid Bodies or Surface Bodies folder in the FeatureManager design tree
    • The components of an assembly
    If you do not select any entities, the entire part or assembly is exported.
  2. Click File > Save As.
  3. Optional: 3DEXPERIENCE Users: If the Save As New dialog box appears, click Save to This PC.
  4. Set Save as type to a file type, then click Options.
  5. Set options for the file type.
    When exporting SOLIDWORKS documents to IGES, STL, ACIS, STEP, Parasolid, VRML, and VDA, you can choose the coordinate system to use under Options.
  6. In the File name box, type a name. The extension for the selected format is added automatically.
  7. Click Save.
    If you export an assembly that contains lightweight parts, the Resolve Lightweight Parts dialog box appears. Resolve any lightweight parts before you can export an assembly.

    If you export an assembly that contains hidden or suppressed parts, a message box appears asking if you want to resolve these parts. To export these parts, you must resolve them.

    If you select any faces, surfaces, solid bodies or surface bodies of a part, the Export dialog box appears verifying if you want to export only the selected objects. Click Selected face(s) to export only the selected faces, Selected bodies to export only the selected bodies, or All bodies to export all solid bodies.