- [Instructor] Once you've completed a design in SolidWorks
you're going to want to create it.
So at this point, you're going to want to send this file out
for someone to CNC machine,
CNC lathe, maybe 3D print.
This is going to require exporting the 3D geometry.
In SolidWorks, this process is as simple
as a Save As, in many cases.
But you want to make sure to check all of your geometry
before you send it out
and think about what process you're going to be using
and how that will affect things like tolerances,
the dimensions overall,
and GD and T.
For this example,
I have a 3D part here that I'm going to have CNC machined.
Let's look at the options I have to export this
using 3D geometry.
Going up to my Save button
I click on the arrow here
and go to Save As.
You can see that automatically, it pops up
in the standard
part mode, if you will.
Where it's ready to just save it again
maybe as a different name.
What I'm going to do instead
is save it as a different file type.
The best file type to send out for CNC machining
is always going to be your pair is solid.
You have two options in sending a pair is solid.
Pair is solid XT
or the pair is solid binary.
Typically, you want to go with the XT
because it contains more information
and modern cam software can often handle it
without a problem.
The XP version might be implemented
if when sending your geometry over
you incur errors on the other side.
We're going to save out an XT for this part.
As you can see, all our other parts disappeared
and we can only see pair of solids
in the Windows Explorer.
Before we save this part
let's go down and look at the options we have
when saving a pair of solids.
As you can see, there's not many
but you should pay attention to them.
Our file format, as you can see,
is a pair of solids.
But the version
is where the options come in.
Each version is updated yearly.
So you want to make sure
that you're working close to the year version
that your vendor is working with.
I know that the vendor I'm sending my parts out to
has the most updated cam software and CAD software.
So I'm going to send the 28 version.
You also have the option to flatten the assembly hierarchy.
This is done when you're sending out a pair of solids
that's an assembly.
But for single parts like this
you don't want to have this checkbox clicked.
Just ignore it.
I click Okay.
It brings me back to my Save As dialog.
And I hit Save.
Going to Windows Explorer
I can check and make sure that my file has been saved.
And you can see here that I have the machine part dot XT.
Another option when saving
is to save to the step
or an IJUS file.
Let's see how to save this as a step file.
Going back up to the Save As drop down again.
Now I go to the Save As Type drop down
and go to step File.
Again, we have two options here.
The AP203
and the AP214.
These are two different releases
of the step file format.
The 214 is the most updated version
so I'm going to go ahead and select that for saving this.
I want to make sure that I always select
a dumb solid format, if you will,
as the most updated version.
This will give me the best results
when sharing with vendors.
Now you can see, that once again, the Windows Explorer
has cleared out any parts that aren't a step file.
Let's take a look at our options again.
Here with the step file format we have a few more options.
Typically, we want to send this out
as a solid surface geometry.
This is going to be required
so the cam software can create tool paths
on the geometry.
For other applications, you may want to send out
a wireframe.
If you're working with architectural software
or any other kind of software.
For now, we're going to leave these settings
in the default mode.
Click Okay.
And now click Save.
Once again, going to File Explorer
we can see that our step file is created.
You'll notice though that it's much larger
than our XT file.
If you're sending this over email, for example,
that's going to come into play.
Let's save it out now as an IJUST version.
Go ahead and Save As drop down again
we bring up Windows Explorer.
Go to the Save As drop down
and select IJUS.
Again, Windows Explorer has cleared out
any file types that aren't an IJUS file.
And let's take a look at our options.
Here we have a few more options.
The file format is IJUS 5.3 in SolidWorks
2017.
Keep this in default
as to not incur any issues.
Again, we can choose to send this out as solid
surface entity
which we want to do.
Or, you can send it out as a wireframe
3D curves.
This is done in things like
rigging for graphics.
Or maybe you're working again in architectural software.
The rest of the defaults we're going to leave.
And hit Okay.
Again
same name.
Hit Save.
After SolidWorks does some processing
we can go to File Explorer
and confirm that our IJUS part's created.
You can see though that this part is even bigger
than the other two that we've created.
The newer file type versions, like pair of solid
and step have better compress capabilities
so that more information can be sent
in a smaller file type.
Let's say that we're not sure about this design
and we have some questions about fit and form.
With modern 3D printing technology
we can send this out to a 3D printer
across the country, or in our own shop.
Typically, when we're sending out this kind of file type
we want to use an STL file.
So let's save one of those right now.
Again, we go up to our Save As drop down.
Over to our Save As Type.
And this time, we select STL.
Again, Windows Explorer clears out
any file types that are not STL.
And let's take a look at our options.
Now the STL options are very important.
An STL file is a unitless file type.
So when sending this out between mesh slicer,
for your 3D printer, you'll want to be sure
to use the right units.
It's not a major issue, because all the other
person will have to do is scale it.
But you'll want to make sure you send in
the correct part, if for example, you're sending it
to a company like Shape Wyas, and getting many parts
printed, or another rapid 3D prototyper.
Also, the resolution is important.
If you want to have a rough print
that goes faster
use the coarse option.
But you'll see your edges are not going to be as fine.
If you want a very very high detail print
maybe you're doing a 3D prototype
of something for marketing.
You'll want to have the fine adjustments set
so you have very good curvature
and a very tight tolerance on your 3D print.
I keep the option show STL
info before saving file just to give us a preview.
Let's hit Okay and see what we get.
Again, we hit Save.
And now you'll see
that SolidWorks has gone through a map
of all of the triangles required
to create the STL file.
And gives us a quick preview
and then we select Yes.
Going back to File Explorer
we can see that our 3D object
or STL file, was created.
Now we have every option available
to send this out using 3D geometry.
Using one of the IJUS step
or pair of solid parts
any 3D machine manufacturer
should be able to make your part.
If you're looking to do 3D printing
go with the STL format.