Open models and drawings

You can load multiple models and drawings in one session or load each file individually in a separate 3D-Tool window.

 Open 3D models

Load 2D Drawings

Open 3D models

Open within 3D-Tool
Start 3D-Tool, and use the Open function in the File tab or click Open in the Quick Access Toolbar. Then select the file(s) with the File open dialog, and click Open.

Open with the Windows Explorer

  • Via Double-click:  3D files that are supported by your 3D-Tool version can be opened by double-clicking them in the Windows Explorer. 3D-Tool starts automatically and opens the file.
  • Via Drag'n Drop: Start 3D-Tool, and drag the files from the Windows Explorer into the 3D-Tool window. 

Import Settings
3D-CAD files are triangulated during their import into 3D-Tool. For graphical display the 3D-models are divided into a mesh of numerous little triangles. To do so, the Import Settings dialog is displayed when opening the following files:

  • STEP, IGS, VDA, SAT, PARASOLID and JT files
  • Native files of CATIA V4/V5, Pro/Engineer, Creo, Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, UG/Siemens NXJT and Rhino.

For details on the Import Settings see chapter Advanced/Premium Import Settings.

Combining multiple models
You can combine multiple models in one scene. Simply open the desired models via Open or via Drag'n Drop.

Tip
The 3D files will be put into the scene according to their coordinate systems. If a model is not positioned correctly, it can be re-positioned with the Placement, Move, or Rotate tool.

Notes

  • To load a 3D DWG or a 3D DXF file, you have to select CAD - DWG files 3D - load as 3D (*.dwg) or CAD - DXF files 3D - load as 3D (*.dxf) in the File Open dialog explicitly, otherwise the DWG/DXF file will be opened as 2D file by default.
  • Loading multiple files is not supported by the 3D-Tool Free Viewer.

Load 2D Drawings

Load within 3D-Tool
Start 3D-Tool, and use Open function in the File tab or click Open in the Quick Access Toolbar. Then select the file(s) with the File open dialog, and click Open.

Load with the Windows Explorer

  • Via Double-click:  3D files that are supported by your 3D-Tool version can be opened by double-clicking them in the Windows Explorer. 3D-Tool starts automatically and opens the file.
  • Via Drag'n Drop: Start 3D-Tool, and drag the files from the Windows Explorer into the 3D-Tool window. 

Combining multiple drawings
You can combine multiple models in the display. Simply open the desired drawings via Open or via Drag'n Drop. After the first drawing is loaded, the Load Position of 2D File dialog will be displayed offering the following options:

  • Replace current data
    The new drawing replaces all currently loaded drawings.
  • Add at original position
    The new drawing will be added at its original position. This may cause the new drawing to be placed over drawings that are already displayed.
  • Add right of drawing
    The new drawing will be added to the right of the existing drawing.
  • Add top of drawing
    The new drawing will be added on top of the existing drawing
  • Abort
    The new drawing will not be loaded.

Load DWG-files with multiple Layouts
DWG-files can contain multiple so called layouts. When opening them, a dialog appears for selecting the layout to be loaded. The default layout is the one that was active during the generation of the DWG.

  • Load all pages: Loads the DWG model and all layouts side by side in the view.
  • Model: Loads the DWG model without the layout (e.g. the drawing frame).
  • Layout 1 , Layout 2, etc: Loads the corresponding layout.

Load HPGL-files with multiple pages
HPGL-files can contain multiple pages. When opening them, a dialog appears for selecting the page to be loaded. The default page is the one that was active during the generation of the HPGL file.

  • Load all pages: Loads all pages side by side in the view.
  • Page 1, Page 2 ... : Loads the corresponding page.