SolidWorks - File Format

File Format

SolidWorks files use the Microsoft Structured Storage file format. This means that there are various files embedded within each SLDDRW (drawing files), SLDPRT (part files), SLDASM (assembly files) file, including preview bitmaps and metadata sub-files. Various third-party tools (see COM Structured storage) can be used to extract these sub-files, although the subfiles in many cases use proprietary binary file formats.

Solidworks 2010 SP3.1 opens/saves following file formats:

• SolidWorks Files (*.sldprt, *.sldasm, *.slddrw),
• Part Files (*.prt, *.sldprt),
• Assembly Files (*.asm, *.sldasm),
• Drawing Files (*.drw, *.slddrw),
• DXF (*.dxf), DWG (*.dwg),
• Adobe Photoshop Files (*.psd),
• Adobe Illustrator Files (*.ai),
• Lib Feat Part (*.lfp, *sldlfp),
• Template (*.prtdot, *.asmdot, *.drwdot),
• Parasolid (*.x_t, *.x_b, *.smt_txt, *xmt_bin),
• Stereolithographic STL (*.stl)
• IGES (*.igs, *.iges),
• STEP AP203/214 (*.step, *.stp),
• ACIS (*.sat), VDAFS (*.vda),
• VRML (*.wrl)
• Catia Graphics (*.cgr),
• ProEngineer Part (*.prt, *.prt.*, *.xpr),
• ProEngineer Assembly (*.asm, *.asm.*, *.xas),
• UGII (*.prt),
• Autodesk Inventor Part (*.ipt),
• Autodesk Assembly (*.iam),
• Solid Edge Part (*.par, *.psm),
• Solid Edge Assembly (*.asm),
• CADKEY (*.prt, *.ckd),
• Add-ins (*.dll),
• IDF (*.emn, *.brd, *.bdf, *idb).

A TransMagic plug-in for SolidWorks is available that expands its import/export capability via native CAD kernels.