In last blog we have seen the file location of a folder and saving of a customised file location in SOLIDWORKS https://cadinfield.com/memorizing-various-file-location-is-tedious-with-solidworks/ .
As many companies are specializes with there offers as per market requirements, they have to send the CAD file to other supplier/vendor/customer.
In other way supplier/vendor/customer may not have a similar software package so need to converting existing file to another file format is require.
SOLIDWORKS allows number of file type to handle in environment & every file type has different purpose.
In this blog we will focus on file type and file extension of a SOLIDWORKS files to enforce the design flow.
Saving the right file in right file is also a concern
1. .sldprt – Part File
2. .sldasm – Assemble file
3. .slddrw – Drawing File
4. .prtdot – Part Template
5. .asmdot – Assembly Template
6. .drwdot – Drawing Template
This includes specifications for units, drafting standard, font selections, arrow sizes, pre-defined views, etc. Some drawing templates may be saved with a sheet format already selected.
7. .slddrt – Sheet Format File.
.slddrt file is the file containing the drawing sheet information – the geometry and notes that helpful to the drawing’s properties. This also contains the anchors for the BOM, Revision Table, etc. Users can save off sheet formats from active drawing files.
8. .sldlfp – Used for customised weldment profile (https://cadinfield.com/download-solidworks-weldment-profiles/) Particular feature can be save as .sldlfp file format to just drag and drop on part of that feature.
9. .sldftp – Form Tool File.
In Sheet Metal for stamping form tool is used. Forming tools are parts that act as dies that bend, stretch, or otherwise form sheet metal to create form features such as louvers, lances, flanges, and ribs.
10. sldbomtbt – Bill of Material Template
This file is customised bill of material table format in that specific property column is arranged. (https://cadinfield.com/customize-bill-of-material-template-using-solidworks/ )
11. .sldctm – Costing Template
Assign cost-specific custom properties to SOLIDWORKS documents.
12. .igs /.iges
.iges is native file format universally accepted 3D CAD format.
SOLIDWORKS file can be stored as .igs format to make importable in any other application.
13. .step
A STEP file is a 3D model file formatted in STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data), an ISO standard exchange format.
14. .prtprp – Part Property Tab Builder
Stores SolidWorks part custom properties tab template data (Follow the blog https://cadinfield.com/custom-property-insertion-is-monotonous-time-consuming-use-solidworks-property-tab-builder/ )
15. .asmprp – Assembly Property Tab Builder
16. .drwprp – Drawing Property Tab Builder
17. .sldmat – Custom Material File
18. .sldblk – Stores blocks created and used by SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS Created file can be save as in following format in SOLIDWORKS
Created by:
For more details contact: –
+91- 97301 40885
Aatmling Narayanpure
Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert & CAE Professional
aatmling@cadinfield.com