Opening a Third-Party Native CAD File in SOLIDWORKS

You can use the Open dialog box to open a third-party native CAD file in the SOLIDWORKS software. When you open a third-party part, a new SOLIDWORKS part is created and the third-party file is inserted as a derived or a base part in it.

To open a third-party native CAD file in SOLIDWORKS:

  1. Click Open (Standard toolbar) or File > Open.
  2. In the dialog box, in Files of type, select the third-party native CAD file.
  3. Click Options.
  4. In the System Options dialog box, set options, including:
    Option Description
    File Format Sets the third-party native CAD file format.
    Items to read from 3rd Party CAD Files Reads the selected items from the third-party native CAD file:
    • Solid Body
    • Surface Body
    • Reference Plane
    Dissolve top level assembly on open Dissolves the reference of the inserted assembly with the top level assembly.

    If you select this option, when you open the assembly, it is not linked to the top level assembly and is inserted as a SOLIDWORKS assembly. Only the components in the inserted assembly are linked to the top level assembly. Any changes made to the top level assembly are updated only to the component level and not at the assembly level.
    Ignore Hidden Entities Disregards the hidden entities.
    Import tool bodies from UG NX Imports tool bodies from Unigraphics and NX.
    Enable 3D Interconnect Turns on the 3D Interconnect functionality in the SOLIDWORKS software. (This is the default behavior).
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Open.
    The third-party native CAD file opens in SOLIDWORKS.