From the course: SOLIDWORKS: Importing Geometry From Other Applications

Imported geometry sources - SOLIDWORKS Tutorial

From the course: SOLIDWORKS: Importing Geometry From Other Applications

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Imported geometry sources

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- [Instructor] When working in SolidWorks, any geometry that is brought in that is not native to the SolidWorks platform, is considered imported geometry. There are many different file types when dealing with imported geometry such as step files, or the AutoCAD DWG file format. We're going to be looking at many of the free resources available to download these files. Let's start by looking at 3D Content Central, the SolidWorks supported 3D CAD repository. To access this website, all you have to do is create a free log in, like I have here. If you're a Customer Portal member, then you can also use that same log in. Here you'll find 3D content that's supported by vendors, so you know that it's accurate, and is easily imported as a SolidWorks file type. You can also download iges, step, and parasolid file types from this website. Another good resource for downloading imported geometry is McMASTER-CARR. You can see here they have thousands of products available and many of them have 3D CAD data available for download. I commonly use them for their fastening hardware, and pipe fittings. Another good resource for downloading 3D data is GrabCAD. You can see there that I've got a robotic arm that I'm looking to download and all the geometry that's available with it. All you have to do is make a free account, log in, and then click Download the file. Another good resource is Penn Engineering. They make all of their sheet metal and machine hardware available for download very easily without creating a user log in. These are some of the many options available for downloading imported geometry. When looking for imported geometry on the internet, it's hard to know who to trust. The vendors and options I've listed here are the ones that I've gone to time and time again, for accurate complete geometry that can be used for custom parts or just to fill in simple things like fasteners in your assembly.

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