BricsCAD Communicator

BricsCAD Communicator is an optional plug-in for Pro and higher license levels of BricsCAD that imports and exports 3D data between major CAD formats. Its high-quality conversions facilitate the re-use of 3D CAD data to improve productivity and reduce project costs.

Supported export file formats

Windows

  • 3D PDF: .pdf
  • ACIS: .asab, .asat, .sab, .sat
  • CATIA v4: .model
  • CATIA v5: .CATPart, .CATProduct
  • IGES: .iges, .igs
  • STEP: .step, .stp

    The following export protocols can be specified; AP203, AP214, AP242

  • VDA-FS:.vd
  • XCGM: .xcgm

Linux

  • 3D PDF: .pdf
  • ACIS: .asab, .asat, .sab, .sat
  • CATIA v4: .model
  • IGES: .iges, .igs
  • STEP: .step, .stp

    The following export protocols can be specified; AP203, AP214, AP242

  • VDA-FS:.vda

Mac

  • ACIS: .asab, .asat, .sab, .sat
  • CATIA v4: .model
  • IGES: .iges, .igs
  • STEP: .step, .stp

    The following export protocols can be specified; AP203, AP214, AP242

  • VDA-FS:.vda
Note: When the EXPORTPRODUCTSTRUCTURE system variable is set, you can export a BricsCAD assembly with mechanical components as a file with product structure.

Supported import file formats

Windows

  • ACIS: .asab, .asat, .sab, .sat
  • Autodesk Inventor: .iam, .ipt
  • CATIA v4:.model
  • CATIA v5/v6:.CATPart, .CATProduct, .CGR
  • Creo Elements / Pro Engineer: .asm, .prt
  • IGES: .iges, .igs
  • NX: .prt
  • Parasolid:.xmt_bin, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .x_t
  • Siemens: .jt
  • Solid Edge: .asm, .par, .psm
  • SolidWorks: .sldasm, .sldprt
  • STEP: .step, .stp, .stpz
  • VDA-FS: .vda
  • XCGM: .xcgm

Linux

  • ACIS:.asab, .asat, .sab, .sat
  • CATIA v4:.model
  • Creo Elements / Pro Engineer: .asm, .prt
  • IGES: .iges, .igs
  • Parasolid:.xmt_bin, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .x_t
  • Siemens: .jt
  • Solid Edge: .asm, .par, .psm
  • SolidWorks: .sldasm, .sldprt
  • STEP: .step, .stp, .stpz
  • VDA-FS: .vda
  • XCGM: .xcgm

Mac

  • ACIS:.asab, .asat, .sab, .sat
  • CATIA v4:.model
  • Creo Elements / Pro Engineer: .asm, .prt
  • IGES: .iges, .igs
  • Parasolid:.xmt_bin, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .x_t
  • STEP: .step, .stp, .stpz
  • VDA-FS: .vda
Note:

Depending on the Communicator settings:

  • You can import an assembly file, as a plain geometry (a nonhierarchical set of entities) or map its product structure into native blocks or mechanical components.
  • PMI (Product and Manufacturing Information) is supported for the following file formats (Communicator license is required): ACIS, CATIA V5, NX, Pro/E / Creo, SolidWorks, XCGM. PMI annotations are imported as graphical elements grouped in blocks.
  • If the assembly contains hidden parts, you can decide how to represent them in BricsCAD: 'import and hide', 'import and set visible' or just 'do not import'. This feature is currently supported on CATIA v5 only.
  • You can set import options to automatically repair, stitch and simplify imported geometry.

    The IGES format has its own options to stitch and simplify. If you import a 3D model from SolidWorks, it makes sense to set an option to map Y axis into Z (because in SolidWorks the vertical axis is Y).

  • For SolidWorks and other native CAD formats, it is possible to specify an alternate search path. This will be used to look for parts absent in the imported assembly folder.