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Opening a model in PreForm

Opening a model in PreForm

PreForm supports a wide variety of 3D model file formats. To open a single file or multiple files to print on the same build platform:

  1. Open PreForm.
  2. In the menu bar, click File > Open. The Open File window appears.
  3. Select at least one file. To select multiple models:
    • Press and hold the Command key on macOS or the CTRL key on Windows.
  4. Click Open. The selected models appear in PreForm.

Adjusting tessellation options for imported CAD files

When importing 3D models from computer-aided design (CAD) software, you can control the quality at which the model is imported:

  1. Open PreForm.
  2. Open the Preferences menu.
    • Windows: In the menu bar, click File > Settings > Preferences.
    • MacOS: In the menu bar, click PreForm > Preferences.
  3. Click Import Model Quality Settings.
  4. Adjust the available model quality settings:
NameDescriptionUnitsMinimum valueMaximum value
Chordal ToleranceMaximum distance between polygons and the original model surfaceμm1.00100.00
Angle ToleranceMaximum angle between consecutive polygon edgesdegrees540
  1. Click Apply. PreForm saves your import quality preferences and the Preferences window closes.
  2. Import a CAD file into PreForm as described above.

Importing a folder into PreForm

Starting with PreForm version 3.43, import all compatible models within a folder into the build scene in PreForm.

To import a folder into PreForm:

  1. Update PreForm to version 3.43 or later.
  2. Click File > Import Folder. The Open File window opens.
  3. Select the folder you wish to import into PreForm.
  4. Click Select Folder. PreForm imports all the compatible model files within the folder into the build scene. As FORM files consist of the entire build scene, they are not compatible with the Import Folder feature.
    • SLA printers: PreForm adds the models to the Model List.
    • SLS printers: PreForm automatically groups the models together in the Model List. The model group has the same name as the imported folder.
    • If no compatible models are found, PreForm displays the error message Error Loading Files.

Importing an assembly into PreForm

Starting with PreForm version 3.52.0, you can import an assembly and print it either as a single part or as its constituent parts.

Note:

For PreForm to recognize your imported file as an assembly, it must be in a format that supports assemblies, such as STEP, SLDASM, ASM, or IAM. Your modeling software may allow you to export assemblies as a single part in a format such as STL.

To import an assembly into PreForm:

  1. Open PreForm.
  2. In the menu bar, click File > Open. The Open File window appears.
  3. Select at least one assembly file. To select multiple assemblies:
    • Press and hold the Command key on macOS or the CTRL key on Windows.
  4. Click Open. PreForm recognizes the assembly file and displays the File contains multiple models dialog box.
  5. Select the Separate models box to separate the assembly into its constituent models. Otherwise, leave the box unselected.
  6. Click OK. PreForm imports the assembly. If PreForm encounters any issues with the separated models, such as model integrity or scaling issues, it displays the appropriate message.
Importing an assembly into PreForm