Exporting Files

This functionality is available on Onshape's browser, iOS, and Android platforms.

Onshape enables you to export parts and surfaces (from Part Studios), entire Part Studios, entire Assemblies, as well as sketches and planar faces to your hard drive or cloud-source (for example, Google Drive or Dropbox) for use elsewhere.

To have the option to export to a cloud-source, you must give Onshape permission to access your accounts. For information on integrating your cloud accounts with Onshape, see Managing Your Onshape Professional Subscription.

ClosedExporting Files: Desktop
  • Surfaces may be exported individually from the list (in Part Studios and Assemblies) or selected in the graphics area (use the context menu, Export option) to:
    • Native or standard formats (Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, IGES, SOLIDWORKS and Rhino)
  • Parts may be exported individually from the Parts list (in Part Studios) or selected in the graphics area (use the context menu, Export option) to:
    • OBJ, STL
    • Native or standard formats (Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, IGES, SOLIDWORKS, Collada, Rhino, and GLTF).
  • You can select multiple parts at once in Part Studios. For STL and Parasolid formats, choose to export as one file or as individual files.
  • In Assemblies, use the tab Export option to export the entire Assembly at once. For STL and Parasolid formats, choose to export as one file or individual files.

Note that exporting as individual files creates a zip file with multiple files each containing a single part.

  • Sketches can be exported to DWG and DXF formats.
  • Planar faces can be exported to DWG and DXF formats.
  • Flattened views of sheet metal models can be exported to DWG and DXF formats.
  • You can use metadata to name export files, see the Export rules subheading in your plan's Managing Your Onshape Plan topic.

The download location is browser-specific. If you'd like to be prompted to save to a different location, look in your browser settings for an option to "Ask where to save each file before downloading."

Note that the downloaded data will not contain features or parametric history. See the topics below for more information.

ClosedExporting parts from Part Studios

To export a single part or multiple parts, select the part in the Parts list, then right-click to access the context menu. Select Export from the context menu:

Context menu

Specify the parameters to use:

Example of how to specify the parameters to use

When exporting a part to STL format, you have the following options:

  • Use Text or Binary for the STL format
  • Select from units such as: Centimeter, Foot, Inch, Meter, Millimeter, Yard
  • Choose a resolution: Coarse, Medium, Fine, Custom
    • When selecting a Custom resolution, you can then specify:
      • Angular deviation
      • Chordal tolerance
      • Minimum facet width
  • Download, Download and store file in a new tab, Email with file download link, or skip the download and Store file in a new tab.

Note that when multiple parts are selected, you can specify whether to export the parts as one file, or as individual files, zipped together.

You can also specify a new name for the file, to replace the default name.

The download location is browser-specific. If you'd like to be prompted to save to a different location, look in your browser settings for an option to "Ask where to save each file before downloading."

When exporting in OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.

Exporting via email with file download link

With every export, you have the option to email the exported file as a download link (that is, with all plan types except Free or Education). For the Option, select Email with file download link:

Enter the recipients' email, a customized subject for the email, and an optional message. Specify how long you want the download link to be available: the default is 3 days.

If you want to password-protect the link you are emailing, check "Require password for download" and supply a password in the next field. Note: Never email a password, a better practice is to specify in the message for the recipient to contact you for the password by other means.

The recipient receives an Onshape-branded email with the link to download the exported part or assembly.

ClosedExporting Part Studios

To export an entire Part Studio, access the Export command from the context menu on the Part Studio tab:

Export command inside the context menu on the Part Studio tab

Specify the parameters to use:

Example of how to specify the parameters to use

Check your file downloads location for the file upon completion.

When exporting in OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.

ClosedExporting sketches or planar faces

Sketches are exported in the document's default units, and planar faces are exported with outer solid geometry only, no dimensions or interior geometry. Specify a file name, select the format and version. Optionally check the box next to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive (use this option to ensure that all normal vectors of components with coordinates on the z plane have a positive z component). Click Export.

Note that splines are exported as splines. If you prefer to explode the spline into polylines, check the Export splines as polylines check box in the Export dialog.

ClosedExport a sketch from the Feature list

Specify a file name, select the format and version. Optionally check the box next to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive (use this option to ensure that all normal vectors of components with coordinates on the z plane have a positive z component). Click Export.

Note that splines are exported as splines. If you prefer to explode the spline into polylines, check the Export splines as polylines check box in the Export dialog.

ClosedExport a planar face from the context menu in the graphics area

When exporting a planar face from the graphics area, use the Export as DXF/DWG option. Specify a file name, select the format and version. Optionally check the box next to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive (use this option to ensure that all normal vectors of components with coordinates on the z plane have a positive z component). Click Export. (Using the Export... option exports the entire part not just the planar face.)

Example of exporting a planar face from the context menu in the graphics area

ClosedExporting from Assemblies

You have the ability to export all parts from Assemblies as either one file containing the entire Assembly, or as a zip file of individual files for each part in the Assembly using the tab Export option:

Step 1 for exporting from assemblies

  1. Select a format (note that only STL and Parasolid formats allow export of individual parts files, zipped together).
  2. When selecting STL or Parasolid, indicate how to package the files. Check the box to download one file for each part, zipped together, or leave unchecked to export as one zip file containing one file per part.

When exporting in OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.

ClosedExporting a Drawing
  1. Right-click on the Drawing tab.
  2. Select Export.
  3. Specify a name for the export file.
  4. Select the desired export format.
  5. Select the version and sheets, as appropriate. If selecting Custom sheets, enter a range or the sheet number(s).
  6. Choose how to treat overridden dimensions: Show underlines or Hide underlines.
  7. If exporting to PDF, select whether to export text normally, or as selectable text.
  8. Indicate whether to export splines as polylines, available for all formats except PDF.
  9. Indicate whether to explode the text upon export, if desired.
  10. Select what to do with the export file:
    1. Download the file only
    2. Download the file and store the file in a new tab in the document
    3. Email with file download link
    4. Store the file in a new tab only.
    5. Store in an integrated app (Google Drive, for example), if appropriate.
  11. For DWG, DWT, and DXF exports, you can check the box to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive. This sets the z-height/direction of any hole normals to be positive (+1) for drawings with view geometry.
ClosedExporting from a release

When you have released entities, you can export directly from the revision history:

  1. Right-click on the entity that has been released, for example an Assembly tab, and select Revision history.
  2. The Revision history dialog opens.
  3. Click the Export button for the release containing the entities you wish to export:

  4. Select your preferred export options.
ClosedExporting Files: iOS

Onshape enables you to export parts and surfaces (from Part Studios), entire Part Studios, and subassemblies and instances (from Assemblies) as well as entire Assemblies.

To export a Part Studio containing a single part or multiple parts:

  1. Select the overflow menu in the Part Studio or Assembly tab (make sure the tab is not open when you select the menu):

    Tab menu with Export

  2. Tap Export.

    Export dialog

  3. Enter a file name for the export file.
  4. Specify a format: Parasolid, ACIS, IGES, SOLIDWORKS, Collada, GLTF, OBJ, Rhino, STL. (Specify a version if necessary.)
  5. Select an option:
    • Download
    • Download and store file in a new tab
    • Store file in a new tab
  6. When there are multiple parts in the Part Studio, tap the checkbox to Export parts as individual files.
  7. Tap Export in the lower right.

When downloading to OBJ format, you can select a custom resolution (Coarse, Medium, Fine, Custom).

ClosedExporting parts from Part Studios

To export a single part or multiple parts, select the part in the Parts list, then select Export from the three dot context menu.

Specify the parameters to use.

When exporting a part to STL format, you have the following options:

  • Use Text or Binary for the STL format
  • Select from units such as: Centimeter, Foot, Inch, Meter, Millimeter, Yard
  • Choose a resolution: Coarse, Medium, Fine, Custom
    • When selecting a Custom resolution, you can then specify:
      • Angular deviation
      • Chordal tolerance
      • Minimum facet width
  • Download, Download and store file in a new tab, or skip the download and Store file in a new tab.

Note that when multiple parts are selected, you can specify whether to export the parts as one file, or as individual files, zipped together.

You can also specify a new name for the file, to replace the default name.

When exporting in OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.

ClosedExporting from Assemblies

You can export all parts from Assemblies as either one file containing the entire Assembly, or as a zip file of individual files for each part in the Assembly using the tab Export option:

  1. Select a format (note that only STL and Parasolid formats allow export of individual parts files, zipped together).
  2. When selecting STL or Parasolid, indicate how to package the files. Check the box to download one file for each part, zipped together, or leave unchecked to export as one zip file containing one file per part.

When exporting in OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.

ClosedExporting a Drawing

You have the ability to export Onshape drawings to the following file types:

The export function presents the opportunity to select the desired format; when the translation is finished, the file is also downloaded to your local machine.

  1. Tap the three dot context menu.
  2. Select Export.
  3. Specify a name for the export file.
  4. Select the desired export format:
    • .DWG
    • .DXF
    • .DWT
    • .PDF
  5. If exporting to DXF or DWG, select the version and sheets. If exporting to PDF, select whether to export text normally, or as selectable text.
  6. Choose how to treat overridden dimensions: Show underlines or Hide underlines
  7. Indicate whether to explode the text upon export, if desired.
  8. Select what to do with the export file:
    1. Download the file only
    2. Download the file and store the file in a new tab in the document
    3. Store the file in a new tab only
  9. For DWG, DWT, and DXF exports, check the box to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive. This sets the z-height/direction of any hole normals to be positive (+1) for drawings with view geometry.
ClosedTips
  • Surfaces are able to be exported individually from the Parts list in Part Studios or from the graphics area context menu.
  • Parts are able to be exported individually from the Parts list (in Part Studios).
  • You have the ability to select multiple parts at once in Part Studios. For STL and Parasolid formats, choose to export as one file or as individual files
  • In Assemblies, use the tab Export option to export the entire Assembly at once or select instances and sub-assemblies for export in the Instances list.

Note that exporting as individual files creates a zip file with multiple files each containing a single part.
Note that the downloaded data will not contain features or parametric history. See the topics below for more information.

  • For OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.
ClosedExporting Part Studios

To export an entire Part Studio, access the Export command from the three dot context menu on the Part Studio tab.

  1. Specify the parameters to use.

  2. Check your file downloads location for the file upon completion.

When exporting in OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.

ClosedExporting sketches or planar faces

Sketches are exported in the document's default units, and planar faces are exported with outer solid geometry only, no dimensions or interior geometry. Specify a file name, select the format and version. Optionally check the box next to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive (use this option to ensure that all normal vectors of components with coordinates on the z plane have a positive z component). Click Export.

Note that splines are exported as splines. If you prefer to explode the spline into polylines, check the Export splines as polylines check box in the Export dialog.

ClosedExport a sketch from the Feature list
  1. Tap the overflow menu next to the sketch in the Feature list.
  2. Select Export as DXF/DWG.

    Export dialog

  3. Select the format and Tap Export.
ClosedExport a planar face from the context menu in the graphics area

When exporting a planar face from the graphics area, use the Export as DXF/DWG option. Specify a file name, select the format and version. Optionally check the box next to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive (use this option to ensure that all normal vectors of components with coordinates on the z plane have a positive z component). Click Export.

ClosedExporting Files: Android

Onshape enables you to export parts and surfaces (from Part Studios), entire Part Studios, and subassemblies and instances (from Assemblies) as well as entire Assemblies.

To export a Part Studio containing a single part or multiple parts:

  1. Select the overflow menu in the Part Studio or Assembly tab:

    Example of overflow menu in Part Studio tab

  2. Tap Export.
  3. Enter a file name for the export file.
  4. Specify a format: Parasolid, ACIS, IGES, SOLIDWORKS, Collada, GLTF, OBJ, Rhino, STL. (Specify a version if necessary.)
  5. Select an option:
    • Download
    • Download and store file in a new tab
    • Store file in a new tab
  6. When there are multiple parts in the Part Studio, tap the checkbox to Export parts as individual files.
  7. Tap Export in the upper right.
ClosedTips
  • Surfaces are able to be exported individually from the Parts list in Part Studios.
  • Parts are able to be exported individually from the Parts list (in Part Studios).
  • You have the ability to select multiple parts at once in Part Studios. For STL and Parasolid formats, choose to export as one file or as individual files
  • In Assemblies, use the tab Export option to export the entire Assembly at once.

Note that exporting as individual files creates a zip file with multiple files each containing a single part.

  • Sketches are able to be exported to DWG and DXF formats, in Release 11 format
  • Planar faces are able to be exported to DWG and DXF formats, in Release 11 format

Note that the downloaded data will not contain features or parametric history. See the topics below for more information.

  • For OBJ format, the export is a .zip containing the .obj and .mtl file. The .obj file is in meters only. To re-import the .obj file, you must first extract the .zip file and only import the .obj file. We do not support importing .zip files containing .obj and .mtl files.
ClosedExporting a Drawing

You have the ability to export Onshape drawings to the following file types:

The export function presents the opportunity to select the desired format; when the translation is finished, the file is also downloaded to your local machine.

  1. Tap the Drawing tab.
  2. Select Export.
  3. Specify a name for the export file.
  4. Select the desired export format:
    • .DWG
    • .DXF
    • .DWT
    • .PDF
  5. If exporting to DXF or DWG, select the version and sheets. If exporting to PDF, select whether to export text normally, or as selectable text.
  6. Choose how to treat overridden dimensions: Show underlines or Hide underlines
  7. Indicate whether to explode the text upon export, if desired.
  8. Select what to do with the export file:
    1. Download the file only
    2. Download the file and store the file in a new tab in the document
    3. Store the file in a new tab only
  9. For DWG, DWT, and DXF exports, you can check the box to Set z-height to zero and normals to positive. This sets the z-height/direction of any hole normals to be positive (+1) for drawings with view geometry.
ClosedExporting parts from Part Studios

To export a single part or multiple parts, select the part in the Parts list, then select Export from the overflow menu:

Specify the parameters to use.

When exporting a part to STL format, you have the following options:

  • Use Text or Binary for the STL format
  • Select from units such as: Centimeter, Foot, Inch, Meter, Millimeter, Yard
  • Choose a resolution: Coarse, Medium, Fine, Custom
    • When selecting a Custom resolution, you can then specify:
      • Angular deviation
      • Chordal tolerance
      • Minimum facet width
  • Download, Download and store file in a new tab, or skip the download and Store file in a new tab.

Note that when multiple parts are selected, you can specify whether to export the parts as one file, or as individual files, zipped together.

ClosedExporting Part Studios

To export an entire Part Studio, access the Export command from the overflow menu on the Part Studio tab.

Specify the parameters to use.

Check your file downloads location for the file upon completion.

ClosedExporting sketches or planar faces

Access the Export command from the overflow menu next to the sketch in the Feature list. Access the Export command for a planar face after selecting the face and using the context menu. Sketches are exported in the document's default units, and planar faces are exported with outer solid geometry only, no dimensions or interior geometry.

ClosedExport a sketch from the Feature list

Select the format and click Export.

ClosedExport a planar face from the context menu in the graphics area

When exporting a planar face from the graphics area, use the Export as DXF/DWG option (this exports in Release 11 format). Using the Export... option exports the entire part not just the planar face.

ClosedExporting from Assemblies

You have the option to export all parts from Assemblies as either one file containing the entire Assembly, or as a zip file of individual files for each part in the Assembly using the tab Export option.

Select a format (note that only STL and Parasolid formats allow export of individual parts files, zipped together).

When selecting STL or Parasolid, indicate how to package the files. Check the box to download one file for each part, zipped together, or leave unchecked to export as one zip file containing one file per part.

 

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Last Updated: March 29, 2021