> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.diracinc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.diracinc.com/how-to-be-successful-in-buildos/tips/how-to-export-your-cad-model.md).

# How to export your CAD model

This will cover tips on exporting from your CAD software.

## Accepted file types

* STEP and STP
  * STEP 242 is recommended
  * STEP 203 and 214 are older versions that we do not recommend
* Pack and Go (Solidworks)
* .SLDASM
* JT (up to version 10.8)
* .PRT and .ASM

## File size limitations

BuildOS can support uploads as large as possible through use of auto-scaling infrastructure.

However, for best performance we recommend files smaller than 750 MB.

If your model has a large number of parts (more than 5,000), you may experience slow performance in the application. Consider exporting the specific assembly you desire instructions for, or use BuildOS's [options for consolidating your assembly structure](https://dirac-inc.gitbook.io/dirac/how-to-be-successful-in-buildos/concepts/steps#types-of-steps).

## How to export

Export as STEP:

* [from NX](https://community.sw.siemens.com/s/question/0D54O000061xUpmSAE/how-to-export-a-nx-assembly-to-step-with-assembly-structure)
* [from Solidworks](https://help.solidworks.com/2023/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/hidd_export_options_step.htm)
* [from CATIA V5](https://blogs.rand.com/rand3d/2018/08/exporting-step-iges-files-in-catia-v5.html)
* [from Creo](https://support.ptc.com/help/creo/creo_pma/r11.0/usascii/index.html#page/data_exchange/interface/To_Export_a_Part_or_Assembly_to_STEP.html)
* [from Onshape](https://cad.onshape.com/help/Content/exporting-files.htm)
* [from Inventor](https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/how-to-export-an-assembly-to-a-step-file/td-p/8587521)
* [from Fusion 360](https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-export-specific-bodies-in-a-file-to-a-STEP-file-from-Fusion-360.html)
* [from Solid Edge](https://www.soliddna.com/SEHelp/ST5/EN/i_v/save2a.htm)

Export as Pack and Go (SLDASM):

* from Solidworks

Export as JT:

* [from NX](https://community.sw.siemens.com/s/question/0D54O000061xPjESAU/jt-export-options-and-configuration-file)
  * We recommend exporting your CAD file from NX with the following options:
    * As a single (monolith) JT
    * Select a version of 8.0 to 10.8
      * We currently do not support beyond version 10.8
    * For larger files (>500mb), we recommend using imprecise geometry to improve performance in our system

## Issues uploading to BuildOS

If you experience issues uploading models from Solidworks, below are the known issues.

### All CAD software

* Reference geometry (lines and planes) present in the model is known to cause issues during upload. Consider removing these geometries before exporting your file.
* If your model has a large number of parts (more than 1,500), you may experience slow performance in the application. Consider exporting the specific assembly you desire instructions for, or use BuildOS's [options for consolidating your tree](https://dirac-inc.gitbook.io/dirac/how-to-be-successful-in-buildos/concepts/steps#types-of-steps).

### Single Part Assemblies

BuildOS requires assembly files with structure in order to create assembly instructions. We often see assemblies constructed as `Parts` and the individual components modelled as `Solid Bodies`

To **convert a single part into an assembly** in Solidworks, please use the following steps:

1. Open the `.sldprt` file in Solidworks
2. Select Insert → Features → Save Bodies
3. Select Auto-assign titles
   1. If you get errors saying the "Part is not saved", ensure your `.sldprt` file is saved on your machine, and that is the file you have open.
4. Select "Create Assembly" and define a target filepath
   1. We **do not recommend** selecting to "Derive resulting parts" which will identify identical `Solid Bodies` and only create one part for them. This can result in incorrect transformations/alignment of individual parts in the new assembly file.
5. Select the green check to create the assembly file
6. Open the file and export using the steps identified above.

{% embed url="<https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuT4VlrqtSgrz4OSV9Xp4%2Fuploads%2Fap8jyHW4BfnIVqKbIvNp%2Fsingle-part-correction.mp4?alt=media&token=5435cc49-d99d-40ef-bc6a-a8cac6ec844a>" %}

### Solidworks specific issues

1. Use of Joined parts may cause issues.
2. Ensure your exported file is a single SLDASM, as BuildOS can only take a single file as an input.