CAD file conversion and PTC Creo
When it comes to file sharing, different CAD systems don’t always get along together. Engineers or designers have to figure out how to share files so that two different CAD systems can open and use the same file. A process called CAD file conversion (IGES and STEP are common industry standard formats) converts the original format to an intermediate format readable by the second CAD system. Other approaches like direct data exchange without conversion or third-party translators can also take care of the CAD conversion for you.
Unfortunately, few CAD systems let you modify the models because the conversion loses design intent or design history, a process intrinsic to most CAD systems.
But, PTC Creo is different. You don’t have to know how the model was built or what CAD system created it. PTC Creo offers powerful, reliable, and easy-to-use modeling tools ideal for those that need to work with 3D design data, supporting all three approaches to CAD file conversion. You can even use PTC Creo to drive major changes and modifications to the 3D CAD model.
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“With PTC Creo, everyone can take existing designs from any source and make modifications”
— Olaf Seger, Designer, KTM Motorcyles
“2012 Leadership in Engineering”
What makes PTC Creo well suited for those converting CAD files?
It comes down to minutes versus hours. With PTC Creo, design engineers use a direct modeling approach to edit 3D CAD data from any major CAD application without sacrificing the original design intent. All CAD file conversion takes place behind the scenes so engineers can focus on creating great products and not converting or repairing files. Whether you are at the initial stages of conceptualizing a design, trying to simplify your product geometry for CAE analyses, or handling late-stage design change, PTC Creo takes minutes, while other CAD systems can take hours.