With Microsoft Windows 8.1, you can print directly to a 3D printer from the SOLIDWORKS software.
After you set the print options in the 3D Print PropertyManager, Windows 8.1 handles all communication with the 3D printer. A preview of the print bed and the model's location within the print bed lets you modify settings before committing to a 3D print job.
To access the 3D print dialog box and specify print options, click .
The print dialog box that is available depends on your installed 3D print driver.
You can also export part and assembly files to Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF), an XML-based format designed to support additive manufacturing processes like 3D printing. In addition to the model geometry, an AMF file can contain information about the color and materials of objects for 3D printing.
To export a file to AMF format:
- Click .
- In the dialog box, for Save as type, select Additive Manufacturing File Format (*.amf).
- To specify export options, click Options.