Home > Supported File Formats > CADMATIC to DWF

How to convert CADMATIC (3DP) to DWF (DWFx)?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

CADMATIC

Okino and Cadmatic have collaborated for many years to create a fluid 3D conversion pipeline from Okino's CAD importers into Cadmatic 3D Plant software. This is achieved through a custom 3D export converter module for Okino software which creates "3DP" files. Such files can then be loaded into Cadmatic's 3D plant design software.

This custom solution allows Cadmatic users to source from all primary MCAD and CAD programs, resulting in highly optimized, clean and robust 3DP files. Commonly requested source MCAD programs include SolidWorks, ProE/Creo, IGES solids, STEP solids, PARASOLID solids, DWF-3D, (for the technically best AutoCAD, NavisWorks, Revit, Inventor conversions) DXF/DWG, JT and basically all other top named MCAD programs.

The 3DP Exporter plug-in for Okino software is developed and maintained by Cadmatic. Please contact them directly to obtain the 3DP installer.

If you wish to convert from the Cadmatic 3D Plant software into other BREP solids modelling programs (such as SolidWorks, Unigraphics NX, Siemens Team Center, ProE/Creo CATIA, etc.) then please contact Cadmatic directly for their speciality methods and processes. Such processes are not provided by Okino software as its requires special processing of data from the 3D Plant software. As examples, Cadmatic 3D Plant can export JT "solids-based" files for Unigraphics NX and Siemens Team Center, while the use of a local copy of AutoCAD allows Cadmatic 3D Plant datasets to be converted into "solids" for Autodesk Inventor and other programs.

DWF

Okino knows of the DWF file format very well as we have been involved with its evolution since the year 2000. A DWF file is nothing other than a renamed "ZIP" file which contains other internal assets such as a HOOPS HSF 3D model file and several XML files used to describe meta data and other aspects of the model. You can rename the .dwf file to .zip and then open it in any ZIP handling software.

The HSF file format was created by Ithaca Software in the mid 1980's as an efficient, light weight, compressed 3D visualization format. Thereafter it was adapted and adopted by Tech Soft 3D in the early 2000s for use by Autodesk as a "3D variation" of its prior 2D-vector-centric DWF file format (and hence how HSF became DWF). DWF/HSF is considered a "polygonal mesh" file format and not a NURBS/solids MCAD file format.

DWF attained acceptable traction after 2006 when Autodesk made it a primary conduit to export high quality 3D visualization data from its main CAD products such as AutoCAD, Navisworks, Revit and Inventor. Okino considers DWF as one of its most important non-MCAD file formats to bring in very large 3D models (such as massive oil & gas rigs, 3D plants and refineries) from these 4 aforementioned Autodesk products as well as from AVEVA PDMS software.

PolyTrans|CAD for CADMATIC

CADMATIC import converter's overview

DWF export converter's overview