How do I open a SOLIDWORKS assembly in Blender?

To open a SOLIDWORKS assembly in Blender, you typically cannot import the native SOLIDWORKS file format directly. Instead, you'll need to use an intermediate software like Simlab Composer to convert the assembly into a file format that Blender can recognize, such as FBX.

Converting SOLIDWORKS to a Blender-Compatible Format

The process involves converting your proprietary SOLIDWORKS CAD file into a common 3D interchange format that Blender is designed to read. Formats like FBX (Filmbox), OBJ (Wavefront Object), or GLTF (GL Transmission Format) are widely used for this purpose, with FBX often being a preferred choice for its ability to carry more data like materials and textures.

Step-by-Step Process Using Simlab Composer

Simlab Composer is a software often used as a bridge for converting CAD files into formats suitable for visualization tools like Blender. Here's how to use it based on the referenced workflow:

1. Save Your SOLIDWORKS Model: Begin by saving your SOLIDWORKS assembly in its native format. This would typically be a .sldasm (SOLIDWORKS Assembly Document) file. You can also save individual parts as .sldprt files if needed, but for assemblies, .sldasm is key.
2. Import into Simlab Composer: Open Simlab Composer. From the file menu, select "Import" and then navigate to and select the .sldasm file you saved from SOLIDWORKS. Simlab Composer will process and load your assembly.
3. Export from Simlab Composer (as FBX): Once your SOLIDWORKS assembly is successfully imported into Simlab Composer, you will need to export it into a Blender-compatible format. While Simlab Composer supports various export formats, FBX is highly recommended as it's robust for retaining mesh data, materials, and potentially even scene hierarchy. Go to the "File" menu, select "Export," and choose "FBX" (or another suitable format like OBJ or GLTF). Configure any export options (e.g., scale, embedded media) as needed.
4. Import into Blender: Open Blender. Go to File > Import, and then select the format you exported from Simlab Composer (e.g., FBX (.fbx)). Navigate to your exported FBX file and click "Import FBX." Your SOLIDWORKS assembly should now appear in Blender.

Why an Intermediate Tool?

SOLIDWORKS files (.sldasm, .sldprt) are proprietary CAD (Computer-Aided Design) formats that store precise geometric and parametric data, often using NURBS or B-spline surfaces. Blender, on the other hand, is a polygonal modeling software that primarily works with mesh data (triangles and quads). An intermediate tool like Simlab Composer acts as a translator, converting the exact CAD geometry into a mesh representation that Blender can understand and manipulate.

Key Conversion Considerations

When converting SOLIDWORKS models for use in Blender, keep the following in mind for optimal results:

• File Format Choice: While FBX is generally excellent, OBJ is also widely supported and can be simpler for just geometry and basic materials. GLTF (or GLB) is becoming increasingly popular for its efficiency and ability to package assets.
• Scale and Units: Always check the scale of your imported model in Blender. CAD models often operate in different unit systems than Blender's default. You might need to adjust the import scale factor in Blender's import options or manually rescale the model after import.
• Material and Texture Preservation: Some materials and textures from SOLIDWORKS might not translate perfectly during conversion. You may need to re-assign or recreate materials and apply textures within Blender to achieve the desired look.
• Mesh Quality: The conversion process from CAD (precise surfaces) to polygonal meshes (approximated surfaces) involves tessellation. Look for options in Simlab Composer's export settings to control the mesh density (e.g., tessellation quality, polygon count) to balance between detail preservation and file size/performance in Blender.

Overview of the Conversion Workflow

Here’s a summary of the typical workflow for getting a SOLIDWORKS assembly into Blender: