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Import Formats and Their Capabilities
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As with exporting, import formats offer varied capabilities. All formats allow you to import a single-facet part. A single-facet part is a one-piece object with a sizebox that can be resized by dragging its handles. You can also apply colors and textures to the entire part or individual surfaces.
Some formats allow you to import more than basic 3D geometry. Depending on the format, you may have the option of importing items on the following list:
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Textures. If the part uses graphic images to represent surface textures, you can import them with the part. This results in part surfaces identical to those in the original application. In general, store texture image files in the same directory as the part. A list of directories is maintained that is examined for image files. You can add a new location to this list using the Directories tab of the Options properties sheet. Choose Options from the Tools menu to view this sheet.
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Colors. If the original part had colored surfaces, you can import the colors with the part and display them identically in the scene.
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The Environment. As with exporting, this term refers to lighting, the viewpoint of a camera, and a background image or color. If any or all of these elements were present in the original application, you can import them with the part.
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Multiple Parts. Some formats allow you to import 3D geometry as a single part or as multiple parts. If the original object was composed of multiple parts, you can bring them into the scene as multiple parts and work with them independently.
The following table summarizes import capabilities by file type:
Format
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Texture
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Color
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Environment
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Multiple Parts
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3D Studio
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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ACIS
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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AutoCAD DXF
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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IGES
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Raw Triangles
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No
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No
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No
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Yes
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STEP
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Stereolithography
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No
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No
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No
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Yes
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TrueSpace
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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VRML
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Wavefront OBJ
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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ACIS
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Parasolid
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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IGES
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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STEP
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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UGS
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Pro/E
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Catia V4
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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Catia V5
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No
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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A part’s environment, along with the other items in the above table, exists in the part file before importing. Some of these features come in automatically during the import process; others are available as options. In addition, some formats offer the opportunity to edit the part during the import process.
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