Question:
Can nTop export STEP files?
Can users export to CAD?
What file types can I import?
Applies to:
nTop 5.45
Answer:
CAD Geometry
Mesh Geometry
Implicit Geometry
Finite Element Data
Lattice Structure
Point Data
Voxel Grid
Slices
Bitmap
Tables
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 Type | File Extension | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| ACIS | *.sat, and *.sab | R1 - 2025 1.0 |
| CATIA V5 | *.CATPart, and *.CATProduct | V5 R8 - V6 R2025 |
| Pro/E or Creo |
*.prt *.prt. *.asm |
16 - Creo 11.0 |
| Autodesk Inventor |
*.ipt (V6 - V2025) .*iam (V11 - V2025) |
V6 - 2025 |
| Siemens NX | *.prt | 11 - NX 2412 |
| Parasolid | *.x_t and *.x_b | 9.0 - 38.0.163 |
| SolidWorks |
*.sldprt *.sldasm |
98 - 2025 |
| STEP | *.step and *.stp | AP 203, AP 214, and AP 242 |
Export:
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| Parasolid | *.x_t and *.x_b |
| STEP 242 | *.step |
| IGES | *.iges and *.igs |
How-to:
Mesh Geometry
Import:
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| STL | *.stl, *.stla, *.stlb |
| OBJ | *.obj |
| Standard Polygon File Format | *.ply |
| 3MF | *.3mf |
| Object File Format | *.off |
Export:
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| STL | *.stl, *.stla, *.stlb |
| OBJ | *.obj |
| Standard Polygon File Format | *.ply |
| 3MF | *.3mf |
How-to:
- How to Export an STL
- Export Mesh and Lattice to 3MF Format
- Can lattice shell elements be exported as 3MF?
Implicit Geometry
Import and Export:
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| nTop Implicit File | *.implicit |
How-to:
Finite Element (FE) Data
FE Mesh
Import:
| File Type | File Extension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abaqus | *.inp | The format supports node, element, face, and edge sets. |
| ANSYS Mechanical | *.cdb | Format only supports node and element sets. |
| ANSYS Fluent | *.msh | Only mesh export is currently supported. |
| LS-DYNA | *.k | |
| Nastran | *.bdf | |
| Patran | *.pat | |
| CGNS CFD Data File | *.cgns | |
| Universal File Format | .unv |
Export: To see a full overview of what data is supported for export, go here.
FE Results
Import:
| Result Type | File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Static Structural Result, Modal Result, Buckling Result, and Time-Dependent Structural Result | Ansys Structural Result | *.rst |
| NASTRAN Output File | *.op2 | |
| Static Thermal Result and Time-Dependent Thermal Result | Ansys Thermal Result | *.rth |
| NASTRAN Output File | *.op2 | |
| CFD Analysis Results | Fluent Case File | *.cas, and *.cas.gz |
| Fluent Data File | *.dat, and *.dat.gz | |
| Topology Optimization Result | NASTRAN Output File | *.op2 |
Export: To see a full overview of what data is supported for export, go here.
How-to:
Lattice Structure
Import & Export:
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| Lattice Graph Interchange Module | *.ltcx |
| 3MF | *.3mf |
How-to:
Point Data, Vector, and Scalar Point Map
Import & Export:
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| Comma Separated Values | *.csv |
How-to:
- How can I Export the Displacement Results from a Simulation?
- How to import and use a Point Map
- How to use simulation results to create a Point Map or Field
Voxel Grid
Import & Export:
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| VDB | *.vdb |
Slicing for Additive Manufacturing
Import
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| Common Layer Interface | *.cli |
Export:
| File Type | File 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 |
How-to:
Bitmap
Import
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| PNG | *.png |
How-to:
Tables
Import and Export
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| CSV | *.csv |