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How to convert Vectorworks (.vwx) to STL (StereoLithography)?

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.

Vectorworks

Vectorworks is a computer-aided design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software program developed by Nemetschek Vectorworks that is used for drafting, technical drawing and 3D modeling. Vectorworks offers 2D, 3D, production management, and presentation capabilities for all phases of the design process.

Vectorworks exports to various 3D file formats with varying degrees of integrity. There are several "best conversion" methods from Vectorworks which will retain the geometry, part naming, assembly hierarchy, materials and texture map associations.

Based on real tests of complex Vectorworks models, you can export the model from Vectorworks using the Cinema-4D .c4d, COLLADA .dae, FilmBox .fbx and/or DWF-3D .dwf file formats. Please make sure to choose the correct Vectorworks export radio button option to retain the class structure (so that the part naming and assembly hierarchy is exported).

STL

STL (StereoLithography) is one of the industry's oldest (and simplest) 3D file formats created back in 1987 for 3D Systems' first commercial 3D printer. It is widely used for rapid prototyping, 3D printing and CAM. Okino has provided one of the very first and still primary STL export conversion systems for close to 3 decades.

Please take note that there is no 3D file format which is much simpler than STL. It is not a high-end, high fidelity 3D conversion file format as many people have come to wrongly believe. Rather, STL defines just a raw triangulated polygon mesh with no smoothing information (vertex normals), no uv texture coordinates, no assembly hierarchy part naming or any material assignments. 3MF and VRML2 are often much better file formats for moving 3D datasets into downstream programs and/or 3D printers.

The Okino STL exporter WEB page provides good graphical tutorial about how to convert CAD file data into STL and also how to clean a 3D model which is 'almost water tight'.

Vist the Vectorworks WEB Site

Cinema-4D import converter's overview

How to Convert CAD to STL

STL export converter's overview