SOLIDWORKS Design & Help

.stp or igs file looks good

SlDRT is solidworks file format, Step/.stp format is universal, can be used in most of the design software.

thanks

I would prefer Step Data with which you have rarely problems with most CAD systems.

Thank you!

I agree with Mr Nandhakumar

SLDRT is a better option step is kinda lossy..

This is right, but many user don't work with solidworks and/or have no solidworks interface. Best option would be to publish both SLDPRT (also depending on which version) and STP/STEP. With STEP Data you loose the history though, but you can edit it. Also a good option is IGES which works reliably in the meantime.

Since I work in Solidworks myself, I prefer SLDPRT files. (I assume you mean SLDPRT, not SLDDRT, since the latter is a sheet format file.)

When I download a file from GrabCAD, I often want to alter it to suit my own purposes, or sometimes I'm just curious how it was built.

A SLDPRT also allows me to use it in an assembly, turn features on and off, etc.

I'm able to save them as STEP files on my own, if that's what I need.

I usually opt for .stl when it comes to individual components and .step for while assemblies.

Once someone downloads and runs .step of an assembly, all the individual files get generated into his/her system.

And as for .stl, its like face data, you can open it up in solidworks but we wont be able to access the feature tree for that model, means you wont be able to see which features(extrude, cut, loft etc.) were used in what order while in making that model.

Thus .stl sounds inferior, but it has its own advantages, like 3d printing, someone looking out to 3d print parts would be looking out for .stl .

.stp or .igs format will be better as files in these can be viewed or edited in other software.

I usually try and upload as many versions as possible. Everyone uses different software and some like some files better than others. A SolidWorks user would love the native version because then they will have the feature tree and can see how the model was made and easily make changes as needed. agnostic files such as IGES, STEP and Parasolid are great for people who are using different CAD or an older version of SolidWorks. STLs can be nice for people for the people who have a 3D printer at home and just want to print your part. If you upload them all you will more likely meet the needs of the person downloading the file.

Right, parasolid format is useful too.