Exporting Using Extended Reality

You can export content that powers rich AR, VR, and web experiences.

You can export SOLIDWORKS CAD files to .glb or .glTF file formats. The files contain information such as geometry, appearances, textures, animations, motion studies, configurations, display states, exploded views, lights, and metadata. For large files, exporting supports Draco, the standard file compression mechanism.

You can:
  • Import these files into platforms such as Unity or Unreal to create experiences.
  • Drag .glb files into Microsoft® Office 365® products like PowerPoint to have interactive 3D model viewing experiences.
  • Contact an approved technology provider to create a custom AR, VR, or web experience that suits your needs. For more information or to learn about approved providers, see the SOLIDWORKS Corporate Blog.
    Only Approved Provider Viewers support the advanced capabilities of the XR Exported file. These capabilities include Animations, Motion Studies, Exploded views, Display States, Configurations, Decals, and Metadata.
Benefits of Exporting as Extended Reality:
  • Improves collaborative internal and external design reviews.
  • Sells designs more effectively with immersive experiences.
  • Trains your staff about how to immersively assemble and interact with your products. For example, you can create an Augmented Reality training walkthrough to teach mechanics how to service an MRI machine when a part breaks, all from the original SOLIDWORKS CAD file.

To export files as extended reality files:

  1. With a file open, click File > Save As.
  2. In the dialog box, for File name, select Extended Reality (*.gltf) or Extended Reality Binary (*.glb).
  3. Click Options.
  4. In the System Options Export dialog box, for File Format select GLTF/GLB and specify the export options.
    Scene

    Export Views

    Exports SOLIDWORKS views.

    Export Cameras

    Exports SOLIDWORKS cameras.

    Export Lights

    Exports lights to a Khronos Light Extension (.KHR_Light) file.
    Animations

    Export Motion Studies

    Exports timeline animations as glTF keyframe sequences.

    Export Exploded Views

    Exports exploded views as glTF keyframe sequences.
    Compression

    Use Draco

    Supports file compression for large files.
  5. Click OK.