Solved: Cannot open f3d file from GrabCAD

Anonymous · ‎07-25-2019

I'm having problems opening a *.f3d file that I downloaded from GrabCAD. The file in question is a model of a Hokuyo Lidar found here.

I have tried two methods to open the file in Fusion 360. The first is via File -> Open -> Open from my computer... -> select the f3d file. This gives me an error "New design cannot be created from a local file containing external references".

The second method is via the data panel, by clicking on Upload and then uploading the f3d file. The error message is "Hokuyo.f3d could not be uploaded due to access denied. This occurs when you have lost access to the project of references. Please contact the project moderator for assistance."

I thought it would be a straightforward process to open files with the native file extension (.f3d) but I guess that was a naive assumption.

HughesTooling · ‎07-25-2019

Not sure how that f3d was created but it has a linked design, normally that would create an f3z file. @jeff_strater any idea how this file was made, would an anycad link do this, it's not just an f3z file renamed.

@Anonymous I managed to open the design in debug mode and removed the linked design, see attached. Don't know if it's still usable with the linked component removed.

Mark

Mark Hughes
Owner, Hughes Tooling
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HughesTooling · ‎07-25-2019

Think I might know what's going on with this file. I think someone started with an f3z file, opened it with 7zip then copied the file out of the assembly. Case of a little knowledge is dangerous!

Mark

Mark Hughes
Owner, Hughes Tooling
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Anonymous · ‎07-25-2019

Oh I see! So in this case it was just an issue of the person in GrabCAD not exporting the file correctly I guess. This is actually the first f3d file that I tried to import so that's why I was worried that this might be the case for all of them.

Thanks for your help @HughesTooling !

jeroen.vanbrunschot · ‎08-09-2021

Hi Mark,

I'm having the same issue as @Anonymous had in the past. I can't really figure out how you debugged the file.

Could you point me in de direction how to debug the file?

I can't seem to figure out how to add the file to this post, as i dont see the attachment selection box as I saw in a Youtube post about how to post on the forum...

Motorcycle Internal Throttle with Reverse Brake Lever | 3D CAD Model Library | GrabCAD

Thanks

Regards Jeroen