Import Altium file to show 3D objects to AutoCAD 2016

[Anonymous]

I have a question about importing a file that was created in Altium.  On my first try, the Altium file was saved as a dwg file for version 2013 and possibly checked to show all layers. 

When I open the file, I see 2D data and every layer that was used.  Through holes or cutouts in a board are show as overlapping boxes and wagon wheel structures.

Is there some specific issue with how the file was saved, or maybe the way I tried to open it?  

How can I open a file in AutoCAD, that was saved in Altium as a dwg, where what I see is a 3D assembly?      

Thanks!  

[Alfred.NESWADBA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

>> How can I open a file in AutoCAD, that was saved in Altium

>> as a dwg, where what I see is a 3D assembly? 

There are no different ways to open a dwg-file "as 2D" or "as 3D", a dwg-file has just one definition and opening it means you have all in AutoCAD loaded what the file contains.

You might look to

• thawing all layers and turn them on
• switch to modelspace, use zoom extents to see the whole content
• also in modelspace use viewcube to look to your model from different directions
• switch to each of the layouts (unusual to find here anything in 3D that you have not seen in modelspace

You might also upload the file here so we can take a look into it and give you the information if there exists anything in 3D or not.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Importing the Altium file into my AutoCAD drawing as a step file ultimately gave us what we were looking for. We did have to watch the scaling, once that was adjusted everything was fine.