Ethan Clarke
Saving a SOLIDWORKS assembly as an STL file can be done in several ways. One method involves selecting 'Save As' and choosing the SOLIDWORKS Part option, which saves each assembly component as a single body. Another approach is to use the Save All Components option, which exports multiple graphics bodies in a single file. While SOLIDWORKS typically saves assemblies as single multi-body files, there are workarounds to export individual parts, such as using the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler or third-party plugins. These techniques are valuable for 3D printing, allowing users to print assemblies with all components at once or creating fully built assemblies without the need for fasteners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| File Type | STL |
| File Format | Save as type: SOLIDWORKS Part |
| Geometry | All Components |
| Export Method | Save All Components of an assembly in a single file |
| Software | SOLIDWORKS |
| File Location | Save in a selected folder |
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What You'll Learn
Saving as an STL file
There are several ways to save a SOLIDWORKS assembly as an STL file for 3D printing. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on saving a SOLIDWORKS assembly as an STL file:
Firstly, open the assembly and select 'File > Save As'. Then, select 'Save as type: SOLIDWORKS Part'. Ensure that you select the ''All Components' option for Geometry to save. Once the part file is saved, open it in SOLIDWORKS. You will notice that it is a multi-body part, with each assembly component represented by a body.
Now, you can save the part as an STL file. To do this, select 'File > Save As' again, and this time, select 'Save as type: STL'. This will create separate Graphics Bodies, but in a single file. This method works, but it does mean you have to manage an extra part file. If any changes are made to the assembly, you will have to resave the assembly as a part again.
A more direct method to save a single STL file from an assembly in one step is to use the ''Save All Components of an assembly in a single file' option. This will export multiple graphics bodies in the STL file. If you don't use this option, SOLIDWORKS will create multiple files, and the mesh bodies will need to be reassembled in slicer software.
Finally, when saving as an STL file, it is important to note that STLs are unitless files. You will need to ensure that your units are correct. For example, if your units are set to millimeters, your STL file will be tiny. So, before saving, select 'Options' and ensure that your units are set to your desired measurement.
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Saving as a STEP file
Saving a SolidWorks assembly as a STEP file can be done in several ways. One way is to use the "Pack and Go" function to gather all the relevant files in one folder, and then use the Task Scheduler to export them as STEP files. This method requires the user to have the SolidWorks Task Scheduler. However, if you do not have access to the Task Scheduler, there are aftermarket plugins available, such as #Task by an Australian company, which can perform the same function.
Another method is to convert the assembly file to a .SLDPT file, which allows users to export individual parts by going to Insert -> Features -> Save Bodies. Alternatively, users can delete all the other bodies they do not want and save the remaining parts as new parts.
It is important to note that the main SolidWorks program does not save assemblies into separate part files. Typically, when importing a STEP file, the program can break a multi-body STEP into an assembly of separate part files for each body. If you require separate STEP files for each part file, and you have a SolidWorks Professional or Premium license, you can use the SolidWorks Task Scheduler to "Export Files" to export the CAD files of an entire folder into STEP files.
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Using the Save As... function
Saving SOLIDWORKS files as STL files is a common practice. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on using the "Save As..." function for this purpose:
Firstly, open the assembly in SOLIDWORKS, and select "File > Save As...". In the "Save as type" option, choose "SOLIDWORKS Part". This will allow you to save the file as a multi-body part, where each assembly component is represented by a body.
Next, select "All Components" for Geometry to ensure that all components of the assembly are included in the STL file. Once you've made these selections, click "Save".
After saving the file as a SOLIDWORKS Part, open the newly saved file in SOLIDWORKS. You will now see that each component of the assembly is represented as a separate body within a single file.
Finally, to save the file as an STL, go to "File > Save As..." once again. This time, in the "Save as type" option, select "STL". This will create separate graphics bodies, but they will all be contained within a single STL file.
Using the "Save As..." function in this manner is an efficient way to save a SOLIDWORKS assembly as an STL file. It ensures that all components are included and properly formatted for 3D printing or other applications.
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Saving as a SOLIDWORKS Part
Saving a SOLIDWORKS assembly as a part is a good way to simplify a large assembly. This method converts file references into multiple solid bodies in the resulting part file's feature tree. This improves performance on large assemblies by using simplified part versions of sub-assemblies in the upper level.
To save a SOLIDWORKS assembly as a part, open the assembly and select 'File' and then 'Save As'. In the 'Save As' dialog box, select 'Save as type' and choose 'Part (.sldprt)'. Select the option ''All Components' for 'Geometry to save'. Once the part file is saved, open it in SOLIDWORKS. You will notice that it is a multi-body part where each assembly component is represented by a body.
If you are using SOLIDWORKS 2018 or later, a new option called 'Preserve Geometry References' has been added to the 'Save As' dialog box. With your top-level assembly open, left-click on a sub-assembly that you want to save as a part and choose 'Open Subassembly'. With the sub-assembly open, click 'File' and then 'Save As'. In the 'Save As' dialog box, use the 'Save as type' pull-down menu to change it to 'Part (.sldprt)'. You will have three options for 'Geometry to save': 'Exterior faces', 'Exterior components', and ''All components'. Choose the appropriate option and finally, click the checkbox for 'Preserve geometry references' and click 'Save'.
Another method to save an assembly as a part is to create a new assembly from your existing assembly. Add a blank part and save it as a part. Then, open the part, which will have multiple bodies, and combine them.
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Saving as separate files
Saving SOLIDWORKS files as separate files depends on the type of file you want to save it as.
Saving as STEP Files
The main SOLIDWORKS program does not save assemblies as separate part files. When importing a STEP file, the program can break a multi-body STEP file into an assembly of separate part files. If you have a SOLIDWORKS Professional or Premium license, you can use the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler to "Export Files" to export the CAD files of an entire folder into STEP files.
Saving as Parasolid Files
Open the parasolid file and click "save as Solidworks assembly." Before clicking save, click "include all referenced components." This will save all the subcomponents as separate files in the selected folder.
Saving as STL Files
First, create a virtual assembly in the top-level assembly by selecting "Insert Components" and "New Assembly." Move the desired components into the new virtual or "in-context" assembly by dragging them on top of the new assembly in the "FeatureManager Design Tree." You can use CTRL and SHIFT to select and move the desired components. Then, open the subassembly file in its own window and save the STL file. In the STL options, select "Save all Components of an assembly in a single file."
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Frequently asked questions
Open the assembly and select File > Save As… Then, select Save as type: SOLIDWORKS Part. Once the part file is saved, open it in SOLIDWORKS and save it as an STL file by selecting File > Save As… and choosing STL as the file type.
Yes, in the STL options, select the "Save all Components of an assembly in a single file" option. This will export multiple graphics bodies in the STL file.
Open the file in SOLIDWORKS and in the import options for STEP files, select "Multiple bodies as parts". Open the parasolid file and click save as SOLIDWORKS assembly. Before clicking Save, click "Include all referenced components". Now, all the subcomponents will be saved as separate files in the selected folder.
Yes, if you have a SOLIDWORKS Professional or Premium license, you can use the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler to "Export Files" and convert the CAD files of an entire folder into STEP files or other file types.
Yes, you can convert the assembly file to a .SLDPT file and then export the individual parts by going to Insert -> Features -> Save Bodies. Alternatively, you can delete all the bodies you don't want and save the remaining parts as new files.
