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3D model (STEP, OBJ, GLB)

Save your design as a 3D file for other programs: STEP for Onshape, Fusion, SOLIDWORKS and CNC, or OBJ and GLB for Blender, PowerPoint and the web.

  • 3D model (STEP)Export menu
  • 3D model (OBJ) AdvancedExport menu
  • 3D model (GLB) AdvancedExport menu

These exports save your design as a 3D file that another program can open. Which one you need depends on where it is going:

FileUse it for
STEP (.step)Onshape, Fusion, SOLIDWORKS and CNC (CAM) software. Exact solids, with each part's name and colour.
OBJ (.obj)Blender, Tinkercad and other modelling programs. Each part with its colour, in millimetres.
GLB (.glb)Blender, PowerPoint, augmented reality (AR) and web pages. Each part with its material.

OBJ and GLB only show in the Export menu in Advanced (the Standard / Advanced switch at the end of the toolbar).

For 3D printing, see 3D printing.

How to use it#

  1. Show the parts you want in the file. Hidden parts are left out.
  2. Click Export, then 3D model (STEP), 3D model (OBJ) or 3D model (GLB).
  3. The file downloads. Open or import it in the other program.

STEP: exact solids#

STEP is the file CAD programs use to swap designs. SchoolCAD's STEP files hold exact solids: a round hole stays a true circle, not lots of flat sides. So your design opens in Onshape, Fusion or SOLIDWORKS as solid parts that you can keep working on.

STEP needs SchoolCAD's exact 3D engine. The first time, you may see Starting the 3D engine for STEP export… while it loads. The status bar says Exact geometry: on when it is running.

OBJ and GLB: meshes#

OBJ and GLB files are meshes: each surface is made of many small flat triangles. They are good for pictures, animation, AR and web pages, but not for more CAD work.

  • OBJ keeps each part's colour.
  • GLB keeps each part's material: aluminium looks like metal, and acrylic is see-through. It is in metres, as GLB files should be.

Tips#

  • Name your parts and choose their colours first. The names and colours go into the file.
  • You can bring a STEP file back into SchoolCAD with Import.
  • PowerPoint can show a GLB as a 3D model that you can turn on a slide.

If it does not work#

  • STEP export needs the 3D engine, which is not available on this computer. STL still works. The status bar says Exact geometry: unavailable or off. Try an up-to-date browser, and check that the link does not have engine=mesh in it.
  • STEP saved. followed by a part's name and is made of flat facets (from a sweep or similar). That part could not be made exact, so its curves come out as small flat faces. The file still works.
  • There are no visible parts to export yet. Show or make a part first.