Acceptable CAD Formats

There are several types of files which ProtoCAM can accept as input data. We can accept files from any CAD package, provided the geometry is exported into an STL (stereolithography) file format. The STL file format is standard for the Rapid Prototyping industry. This format approximates the surface of a parametric solid model with a mesh of triangles. For detailed instructions, please consult our instructions for exporting STL files from various CAD packages.

In addition to STL files, we also accept these file formats:

Pro/ENGINEER (*.PRT.*)
SolidWorks (*.SLDPRT)
Rhino 3D (*.3DM)
STEP (*.STEP/*.STP)
IGES (*.IGES/*.IGS)
Parasolid (*.X_T)
ACIS (*.SAT)
Neutral (*.NEU)

Please visit the Instructions page for information on transferring files for quotation (or visit our Online Request for Quotation).

Exporting STL Files

AutoCAD               Autodesk Inventor           CADKEY               I-DEAS
IronCAD                Mechanical Desktop         ProE                      ProE 2001
Solid Designer       SolidEdge                           SolidWorks           Unigraphics

AutoCAD    

Your design must be a three-dimensional solid object to output an STL file.
Type these commands in AutoCAD's command line:
Set DISPSILH to 1
Set ISOLINES to 0
Set FACETRES to 10
Relocate the object to the positive X-Y-Z octant
Use the STLOUT command to export an STL file. (AMSTLOUT for AutoCAD Desktop files)

Autodesk Inventor 

The detail settings for STL Output are stored in the registry. Information on changing the detail level can be found at Autodesk's website, under the title "Set accuracy for exporting STL files from Autodesk Inventor software" and ID TS64378.
Go to the File menu, then select the Save Copy As... choice
Select STL from the Types drop-down
Click the Options button, and choose the High detail level
Click the Save Button.

CADKEY

Go to the File menu, then Export, then STL
Type in a filename and select OK
A new window will appear with options for the export
Change Format to Binary
Change Facet Tolerance if a higher resolution STL file is desired

Additional export tolerance options are in the Solids99 Configuration window accessed from the Tolerance section of Configuration.

I-DEAS

Select File then Export, next choose Rapid Prototype File then OK.
Select the Part to be prototyped
Select Prototype Device then, SLA500.dat then OK
Set absolute facet deviation to 0.000395
Select Binary, then OK

IronCAD

Select Part Properties then Rendering
Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150
Select File then Export
Select .STL

Mechanical Desktop

Use the AMSTLOUT command to export the STL file.

Pro/ENGINEER (pre 2001)

Select File then Export, then Model
Select STL
Input 0 for the chord height
Leave Angle Control at default
Select OK

Pro/ENGINEER

We are able to accept native Pro/E files, so please consider sending us the .PRT file instead of an STL. 
Select File, then Save As
Pick .STL from the Save As Type dropdown menu
Input 0 for the chord height
Leave Angle Control at default
Select OK

SolidDesigner

Select the File menu, then External, then Save STL
Select Binary mode
Select Part
Type in your Filename
Enter 0.01 mm for the Max Deviation Distance
Select OK

SolidEdge

Select File, then Save As
Set Save As Type to STL
Select Options
Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.001 in or 0.0254 mm.
Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00°
Select Save

SolidWorks

We are able to accept native SolidWorks files, so instead of creating a STL, please consider sending us the SLDPRT (and any appropriate drawings or assemblies)
Select File, then Save As...
Select STL (*.STL)"
Select Options
Set Resolution to Fine
Select OK
Select Save

Unigraphics

Select File, then Export, then Rapid Prototyping
Set Output Type to Binary
Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
Set Auto Normal Gen to On
Set Normal Display to Off
Set Triangle Display to On