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Manual / Import / Export

MECHCAD file types and files you can open

All MECHCAD native file types, and the CAD formats you can open, import and export.

Edition: Standard+

What it does

Summarises the file types that MECHCAD saves, opens, imports and exports.

Native files

Extension Type Opens in tab
.metprt (and legacy .mcd_prt) MECHCAD Part Part Design
.metasm (and legacy .mcd_assm) MECHCAD Assembly Assembly
.metdrw MECHCAD Drawing Drawing
.metcam MECHCAD CAM CAM
.metauto MECHCAD Automation Cell Automation
.metpkg MECHCAD Package (Pack and Go) Unpacks, then opens the assembly

Every file type has a preview image in Windows Explorer and opens with a double-click (direct installer). If the file is already open, MECHCAD switches to its tab.

Files you can open/import (File › Open…)

File menu
File menu

Format Extension Result
STEP .step .stp Part or Assembly (structure and positions are kept)
IGES .iges .igs Part
Mesh .stl Part (can be converted to a solid)
BREP .brep Part
SolidWorks .sldprt .sldasm Part as editable sketches + feature tree / Assembly converted to MECHCAD files, without SolidWorks
Alibre .ad_prt .ad_asm Part as editable sketches + features / Assembly converted to MECHCAD files (for sharing work with Alibre users)
Siemens NX .prt Part (solid)
Parasolid .x_t .x_b Part
MET feature JSON .mfj Part

Export

From Format Command
Part STEP, STL File › Export STEP… / Export STL (3D print)…
Assembly STL, HTML 3D Share › Export STL / Export HTML
Drawing PDF, DXF, DWG Output › Export PDF / DXF / DWG
CAM G-code (.nc), PDF setup sheet Output › G-code / Shop PDF
Motion MP4, GIF ⏺ Record, Export Video…, Record GIF…

Note: MECHCAD does not open DWG files directly (DWG is available only as an export from Drawing). Files from other CAD systems not listed here must be exported to STEP first.

Try it: Follow a drawer-knob project through its files

Scenario: you design a drawer knob, put it on a drawer front, make a drawing and send everything to a workshop. Watch which file each step creates.

  1. Model the knob in Part Design and save it: drawer-knob.metprt.
  2. In Assembly, insert the knob and a drawer-front panel and save: drawer-front.metasm.
  3. File › New Drawing from Current and save the drawing: drawer-front.metdrw.
  4. Pack and Go the assembly into one file, drawer-front.metpkg, and e-mail it. The workshop double-clicks it and MECHCAD unpacks and opens the assembly.
  5. The workshop wants a 3D file for their own CAD: File › Export STEP… from the knob part.

Challenge: Look at the folder in Windows Explorer with large icons: every MECHCAD file shows its own preview.

See also