How to export from Inventor, Onshape and FreeCAD

To export from Inventor, Onshape or FreeCAD for client review, export a GLB where the app offers it, or a STEP otherwise. In Inventor, use File›Export›CAD Format and pick GLB; in Onshape, right-click the tab and choose Export›Format›GLB; in FreeCAD, select the objects and use File›Export… with glTF. MeshMarkup opens GLB directly and converts STEP in your browser, both at true size.

#Best format: GLB or STEP

All three apps can export both. Which to send depends on what the review is about:

STEP is the safe default. MeshMarkup tessellates it with OpenCascade, keeps part names and colours, and converts millimetres to metres. GLB is better when appearances matter, or when you want to control the mesh detail yourself.

Don't send native files (.ipt, .iam and so on). MeshMarkup can't open them, and dropping one shows a message asking you to export STEP.

#Export step by step

#Autodesk Inventor

Inventor 2023 and later include a glTF/GLB translator.

1. 1

   Open the part or assembly

   Set the view representation and level of detail you want the client to see.

2. 2

   Export as GLB

   Choose File›Export›CAD Format and set Save as type to GLB (or GLTF, which writes several files; GLB is simpler).

3. 3

   Save

   Click Save. If the export fails on a model with very thin parts, suppress those parts and try again.

For Inventor 2022 and earlier, or if GLB export gives you trouble, use the same File›Export›CAD Format dialog and choose STEP.

#Onshape

1. 1

   Right-click the tab

   At the bottom of the document, right-click the Part Studio or Assembly tab and choose Export.

2. 2

   Choose GLB

   Set Format to GLB.

3. 3

   Set the resolution

   Set Resolution to Fine for smooth curves. Coarse and Medium make a smaller file but can look faceted; Custom lets you set the tolerances yourself.

4. 4

   Compress if the file is large

   Tick Compress to shrink the mesh. MeshMarkup reads compressed GLBs.

5. 5

   Export

   Click Export and download the file. To send STEP instead, pick STEP as the format in the same dialog.

#FreeCAD

FreeCAD 0.19 and later, including 1.0, can export glTF.

1. 1

   Select the objects

   In the model tree, select the bodies or parts to export.

2. 2

   Export as glTF

   Choose File›Export… and set the file type to **glTF (.gltf .glb)**. Type a file name ending in .glb to get a single binary file.

3. 3

   Save

   Click Save. The glTF export converts FreeCAD's millimetres to metres.

Some FreeCAD 1.1 development builds have had broken glTF export. If yours produces an empty or broken file, choose STEP in the same dialog instead.

#Units and scale

All three apps usually model in millimetres. GLB is always in metres, so each app's glTF exporter converts on the way out. STEP carries its unit, and MeshMarkup converts it to metres as it opens the file. Either way, a 40 mm part should measure 40 mm. Check one dimension after uploading; if it's 1,000 times off, see wrong size or scale.

#Textures and materials

• GLB carries appearances and colours. Image-based appearances may be simplified.
• STEP carries colours only: part, body and face colours come through, each as its own material.
• For shape and fit reviews, STEP colours are usually enough.

#Common problems

• Curves look faceted. The GLB was exported at a coarse resolution. In Onshape choose Fine; in other apps, raise the display or export quality, or send STEP.
• Inventor's GLB export fails. Thin or problem parts can stop the translator. Suppress them and retry, or export STEP.
• FreeCAD's .glb is empty or won't open. Some development builds have broken glTF export. Export STEP instead.
• The assembly is huge. Suppress fasteners and internal parts you don't need to discuss, or use compression. See reduce file size.
• Everything is grey. You exported a format without colour, such as STL. Use GLB or STEP.

#Upload and send it

1. 1

   Upload the GLB or STEP

   Drop it on Models. To look at a STEP without an account, see open a STEP file online.

2. 2

   Share it for review

   Open the model, check it, and click Share for review. The full walkthrough is in how to send a 3D model to a client for feedback.