Export for printing, STEP and DXF

Exports are copies in other formats. Keep the .partcraft.json file too: it is the only file PartCraft can open again and edit.

All exports work on the part on screen, in millimeters. In an assembly, STL, 3MF, STEP and Drawing (PDF) export the whole assembly instead: see Parts list, exploded views and moving parts. If there is no solid yet: "There is no solid to export yet."

For 3D printing: STL or 3MF

1. Optional: for smooth round surfaces, click empty space so nothing is selected and set Curves to Fine (128 per turn) or Very fine (256 per turn) in the right panel. STL and 3MF are always made of triangles, even with the exact kernel.
2. Choose Export, then STL, for 3D printing or 3MF, for 3D printing.
3. The file downloads. The status bar says, for example, "Exported Part1.stl (binary, mm, Z up, 1536 triangles)."

Both formats are Z up, as printers and slicers expect. PartCraft's own world is Y up, so the export turns the part: what points up in PartCraft (square to the Top plane) points up in the slicer, and a part sketched on the Top plane lies flat on the bed. Set the final orientation in your slicer if needed.

3MF is a newer, smaller format that slicers read with units included. Use STL if a program does not take 3MF.

For other CAD programs: STEP

1. Wait until the status bar chip says "Exact kernel".
2. Choose Export, then STEP AP242 (exact solid). Use STEP AP214 (exact solid) if the other program or your supplier asks for AP214.
3. The status bar says "Writing STEP…", then the file downloads as <name>.step and the status bar counts its faces, for example "Exported Bracket.step (AP242, exact B-rep, mm, Z up): 38 faces — 9 cylindrical, 0 conical, 0 toroidal, 0 B-spline."

The exact STEP carries true surfaces: a hole is a cylinder the other program can select, measure and dimension, and fillets are real rounds. It is written Z up, like STL and 3MF, so the part stands the right way up in most CAD programs. It holds the solid only: no history, no sketches, no drawing.

When the exact kernel is not available

STEP (faceted, mesh kernel) writes the mesh as a STEP AP242 solid of flat faces. Flat faces come through as single faces, but every round surface arrives as many narrow facets, and the file keeps PartCraft's own axes (Y up). The other program sees the right shape and volume, but cannot pick a hole as a cylinder. Use it only when the exact kernel cannot load: "Exact STEP needs the exact kernel (OpenCascade), which is not loaded."

For laser, waterjet or CNC profiles: DXF

Two kinds of DXF, both version R12, which every CAD and CAM program opens:

A sketch

1. Select the sketch in the history (or have it open).
2. Choose Export, then DXF of the sketch or flat face. (The sketch's right panel also has Export as DXF.)

You get <part> - <sketch>.dxf in the sketch's own coordinates: lines, true arcs and circles on layer PROFILE, construction geometry on CONSTRUCTION, loose points on POINTS.

A flat face of the solid

1. Click a flat face in the view (for example the top of a plate with holes).
2. Choose Export face as DXF in the right panel, or Export, then DXF of the sketch or flat face.

You get <part> - face.dxf: the face's outline and every hole in it as closed polylines. The status bar says how many outlines and the face's area. Round edges are their facets, so set Curves to Fine first if the cutter follows them closely.

If neither a sketch nor a flat face is selected: "Open or select a sketch, or pick a flat face, to export DXF."

A drawing

The PDF drawing has its own walkthrough: Make a drawing sheet.

Formats not available

glTF, OBJ, IGES, Parasolid and DWG are not exported in this build. See File formats.