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Question:

Can nTop export STEP files? Can users export to CAD? What file types can I import?

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Applies to:

nTop 5.45

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Answer:

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CAD Geometry

Parasolid formats tend to yield the most dependable results. CAD and STEP inputs of single-part or multi-body files are also typically robust. CAD Assembly files can be directly imported into nTop. Import:
File TypeFile ExtensionVersions
ACIS*.sat, and *.sabR1 - 2025 1.0
CATIA V5*.CATPart, and *.CATProductV5 R8 - V6 R2025
Pro/E or Creo*.prt *.prt. *.asm16 - Creo 11.0
Autodesk Inventor*.ipt (V6 - V2025) .*iam (V11 - V2025)V6 - 2025
Siemens NX*.prt11 - NX 2412
Parasolid*.x_t and *.x_b9.0 - 38.0.163
SolidWorks*.sldprt *.sldasm98 - 2025
STEP*.step and *.stpAP 203, AP 214, and AP 242
CAD File types available for Import Export:
File TypeFile Extension
Parasolid*.x_t and *.x_b
STEP 242*.step
IGES*.iges and *.igs
CAD File types available for Export How-to:

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Mesh Geometry

Import:
File TypeFile Extension
STL*.stl, *.stla, *.stlb
OBJ*.obj
Standard Polygon File Format*.ply
3MF*.3mf
Object File Format*.off
Mesh file types available for Import Export:
File TypeFile Extension
STL*.stl, *.stla, *.stlb
OBJ*.obj
Standard Polygon File Format*.ply
3MF*.3mf
Mesh types available for Export How-to:

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Implicit Geometry

Import and Export:
File TypeFile Extension
nTop Implicit File*.implicit
How-to:

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Finite Element (FE) Data

FE Mesh Import:
File TypeFile ExtensionNotes
Abaqus*.inpThe format supports node, element, face, and edge sets.
ANSYS Mechanical*.cdbFormat only supports node and element sets.
ANSYS Fluent*.mshOnly mesh export is currently supported.
LS-DYNA*.k
Nastran*.bdf
Patran*.pat
CGNS CFD Data File*.cgns
Universal File Format.unv
FE Mesh file types available for Import Export: To see a full overview of what data is supported for export, go here. FE Results Import:
Result TypeFile TypeFile Extension
Static Structural Result, Modal Result, Buckling Result, and Time-Dependent Structural ResultAnsys Structural Result*.rst
NASTRAN Output File*.op2
Static Thermal Result and Time-Dependent Thermal ResultAnsys Thermal Result*.rth
NASTRAN Output File*.op2
CFD Analysis ResultsFluent Case File*.cas, and *.cas.gz
Fluent Data File*.dat, and *.dat.gz
Topology Optimization ResultNASTRAN Output File*.op2
FE Results available for Import Export: To see a full overview of what data is supported for export, go here. How-to:

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Lattice Structure

Import & Export:
File TypeFile Extension
Lattice Graph Interchange Module*.ltcx
3MF*.3mf
Lattice file types available for Import and Export How-to:

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Point Data, Vector, and Scalar Point Map

Import & Export:
File TypeFile Extension
Comma Separated Values*.csv
Point Data, Vector, and Scalar Point Map file types available for Import and Export How-to:

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Voxel Grid

Import & Export:
File TypeFile Extension
VDB*.vdb
Voxel Grid file types available for Import and Export

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Slicing for Additive Manufacturing

Import
File TypeFile Extension
Common Layer Interface*.cli
Slicing file types available for Import Export:
File TypeFile Extension
Common Layer Interface*.cli
Common Layer File*.clf
Renishaw CLI*.cli
Renishaw RenExposure(Point Data)*.cli
EOS CLI*.cli
Arcam ABF*.abf
Concept Laser v4*.cls
3D Systems*.slc
Stratasys Layer*.ssl
B&W Image Stack*.png
Slicing file types available for Export How-to:

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Bitmap

Import
File TypeFile Extension
PNG*.png
Image file types available for Import and Export How-to:

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Tables

Import and Export
File TypeFile Extension
CSV*.csv
Table file types available for Import and Export

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Keywords:

import cad stl mesh ply obj fea points export eos arcam cli clf ssl solidworks nx catia parasolid step 3mf ansys nastran abaqus iges voxel ltcx csv vdb inventor fluent inp cdb unv pat msh universal patran dyna acis ptc cre autodesk siemens prt ipt sat sab stp ls