12 KiB
Converting SolidWorks Files to GLTF/GLB Format
This documentation provides approaches for converting SolidWorks files to gLTF/GLB format using the SolidWorks Interop API and C#.
Overview
gLTF (GL Transmission Format) and its binary variant GLB are file formats for 3D models widely used in web applications and AR/VR. Converting SolidWorks files to these formats allows for broader compatibility and usage.
Approaches for Conversion
Here are several approaches to convert SolidWorks files to gLTF/GLB using the Interop API:
Approach 1: SolidWorks to Intermediate Format to gLTF
This approach uses SolidWorks API to export to an intermediate format (e.g., STL, STEP, or OBJ) that can then be converted to gLTF/GLB using a third-party library.
using SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks;
using SolidWorks.Interop.swconstants;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices.Com;
using System;
public class SolidWorksToGLTFConverter
{
private SldWorks swApp;
private ModelDoc swModel;
public SolidWorksToGLTFConverter()
{
// Connect to SolidWorks (must be installed)
swApp = (SldWorks) Marshal.GetActiveObject("SldWorks.Application");
// If SolidWorks is not running, start it
if (swApp == null)
{
swApp = (SldWorks) Marshal.BindToMonoNamed("SldWorks.Application", "SldWorks.Application");
swApp.Visible = true;
swApp.UserControl = false;
}
}
public void ConvertToGLTF(string sourcePath, string destinationPath)
{
try
{
// Open the SolidWorks file
int errors = 0;
int warnings = 0;
swModel = swApp.OpenDoc(sourcePath, (int)swOpenDocOptions_e.SwOpenDocOption_Silent, (int)swDocType_e.swDocPART, ref errors, ref warnings);
if (swModel == null)
{
CheckLastError();
throw new Exception("Failed to open the SolidWorks file.");
}
// Generate an intermediate file (STL)
string intermediatePath = System.IO.Path.ChangeExtension(destinationPath, ".stl");
int status = swModel.Extension.SaveAs(intermediatePath, (int)swSaveAsVersion_e.swSaveAsCurrentVersion, (int)swSaveAsOption_e.swSaveAsOption_Copy, null, ref errors, ref warnings);
if (status != 1)
{
throw new Exception("Failed to save the STL file.");
}
// Close the document
swApp.CloseDoc(sourcePath);
// Now use a library like AssimpNet to convert from STL to gLTF
// This is an example using AssimpNet (requires NuGet package)
ConvertSTLToGLTF(intermediatePath, destinationPath);
// Clean up the intermediate file
System.IO.File.Delete(intermediatePath);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine("Error: " + ex.Message);
throw;
}
}
private void ConvertSTLToGLTF(string stlPath, string gltfPath)
{
// Using AssimpNet library (install via NuGet: AssimpNet)
/*
// Install-Package AssimpNet
using Assimp;
using Assimp.Gltf;
// Create a new importer and scene
var importer = new Assimp.Assimp();
var scene = importer.ImportFile(stlPath);
if (scene == null || scene.SceneFlags == PostProcessSteps.TargetRealTime_Max)
{
throw new Exception("Failed to load STL file: " + Assimp.GetErrorString());
}
// Export to gLTF
/GLB
var exportFormat = new Gltf2ExportFormat();
var exporter = new Assimp.Exporter();
var gltfPathExtension = System.IO.Path.GetExtension(gltfPath).ToLower();
if (gltfPathExtension == ".glb")
{
exportFormat.PrettyPrinted = false; // Binary format
}
else
{
exportFormat.PrettyPrinted = true; // JSON format
}
exporter.Export(scene, ExportFormat.Gltf2, gltfPath, exportFormat);
*/
// NOTE: This is just a placeholder for the AssimpNet code
// You need to add the proper AssimpNet NuGet package and uncomment the code above
Console.WriteLine("Converting stl to gLTF/GLB...");
}
private void CheckLastError()
{
int errorCode = 0;
string errorMessage = swApp.GetLastError(ref errorCode);
if (errorCode != 0)
{
Console.WriteLine("SolidWorks Error: (" + errorCode + ") " + errorMessage);
}
}
public void Dispose()
{
// Clean up SolidWorks instance
if (swApp != null)
{
swApp.Exit();
Marshal.ReleaseComObject(swApp);
}
}
}
Approach 2: Direct Export using SolidWorks GTF Addin
If you have a SolidWorks addin that can export to gLTF/GLB, you can use the Interop API to automate the process:;
public bool ExportToGLTFUsingAddin(string sourcePath, string destinationPath)
{
try
{
// Connect to SolidWorks
SldWorks swApp = (SldWorks) Marshal.GetActiveObject("SldWorks.Application");
if (swApp == null)
{
swApp = (SldWorks) Marshal.BindToMonoNamed("SldWorks.Application", "SldWorks.Application");
swApp.Visible = true;
}
// Open the SolidWorks file
int errors = 0;
int warnings = 0;
ModelDoc swModel = swApp.OpenDoc(sourcePath, (int)swOpenDocOptions_e.SwOpenDocOption_Silent, (int)swDocType_e.swDocPART, ref errors, ref warnings);
if (swModel == null)
{
// Handle error
return false;
}
// Get the GLTF Export addin (assuming it's installed)
object gltfAddin = null;
try {
// This is a placeholder - actual addin name will vary based on what's installed
gltfAddin = swApp.GetAddinObject("GLTFExporter.Addin");
}
catch (Exception exp) {
Console.WriteLine("Error loading GLTF export addin: " + exp.Message);
return false;
}
if (gltfAddin != null) {
// Call the addin's export method (the exact method name and parameters will depend on the addin)
// Example:
// gltfAddin.ExportGltf(swModel, destinationPath);
// Close the model
swApp.CloseDoc(sourcePath);
return true;
}
else {
Console.WriteLine("GLTF export addin not found or not properly loaded.");
return false;
}
}
catch (Exception e)
{
Console.WriteLine("Error: " + e.Message);
return false;
}
}
Approach 3: Using SolidWorks eCommerce Technologies| Com<6F>View API
If you have access to SolidWorks eCommerce Technologies' CompView, you can use its API to generate gLTF files.
using EdsCompViewLib;
using System;
public class CompViewGLTFExporter
{
public void ExportToGLTF(string sourcePath, string destinationPath)
{
try
{
// Initialize CompView (exact code will depend on version)
EdsCompViewLib.EdsCompView compView = new EdsCompViewLib.EdsCompView();
compView.Initialize();
// Optional: Set license information if required
// compView.License("license_key");
// Open the SolidWorks file
var openStatus = compView.OpenDocument(sourcePath);
if (!openStatus)
{
throw new Exception("Failed to open document in CompView.");
}
// Configure gLTF export settings
var settings = new GltfExportSettings();
settings.EmbedTextures = true;
settings.IncludeMaterials = true;
settings.UseBinaryFormat = System.IO.Path.GetExtension(destinationPath).ToLower() == ".glb";
// Export the gLTF file
bool exportSuccess = compView.ExportGLTF(destinationPath, settings);
if (!exportSuccess)
{
throw new Exception("Failed to export gLTF/GLB.");
}
// Close the document and cleanup CompView
compView.CloseDocument();
compView.Uninitialize();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine("Error while exporting to gLTF: " + ex.Message);
throw;
}
}
}
// Placeholder class for example purposes
public class GltfExportSettings
{
public bool EmbedTextures { get; set; }
public bool IncludeMaterials { get; set; }
public bool UseBinaryFormat { get; set; }
}
Approach 4: Using SolidWorks DocumentManager API
If you have SolidWorks PDD or Enterprise PDM/PLC, you can use the DocumentManager API:
using EDPLibrary7; // Enterprise PDM API
using System;
public class PDMGLTFExporter
{
public bool ExportToGLTF(string fileId, string destinationPath)
{
try
{
// Connect to EDSW
IEdmVault7 vault = new EdmVault7();
if (!vault.IsLoggedIn)
{
var loggedIn = vault.Login("username", "password", "vault_name");
if (!loggedIn)
{
Console.WriteLine("Failed to log in to PDM.");
return false;
}
}
// Get the file from PDM
IEdmFile7 edmFile = vault.GetFileById(fileId);
if (edmFile == null)
{
Console.WriteLine("File not found in PDM.");
return false;
}
// Get local copy of the file
string localPath = edmFile.Get();
// Now use either Approach 1 or 2 above to convert the local file to gLTF/GLB
// Example using the first approach:
using (var converter = new SolidWorksToGLTFConverter())
{
converter.ConvertToGLTF(localPath, destinationPath);
}
// Cleanup local file if needed
edmFile.UndoGet(); // Optional: releases local copy
return true;
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine("Error: " + ex.Message);
return false;
}
}
}
Tips and Best Practices
-
Test With Simple Models First: Start with simple models before processing complex assemblies.
-
Handle Materials Carefully: gLTF supports PBR (Physically-Based Rendering) materials which may need special handling when converting from SolidWorks.
-
Consider Textures and Specification Compliance: Ensure textures are handled correctly and the output is compliant with the gLTF specification.
-
Use Validation Tools: Validate the generated gLTF/GLB files using tools like gltf-validator or Babylon.js Sandbox.
-
Handle Large Assemblies with Care: Very large assemblies might need to be broken down or optimized for web viewing.
Third-Party Libraries and Tools
-
AssimpNet - C# bindings for Assimp, a powerful 3D model import/export library that supports gLTF/GLB export.
-
SharpGLTF - A C# glTF 2.0 io library to create gLTF files from scratch.
-
Open3D Model Viewer - Microsoft's Open3D Model Viewer supports gLTF/GLB and includes conversion utilities.
-
ComView - An engineering file viewing solution with API for converting files to various formats including gLTF.
Conclusion
There are several approaches to convert SolidWorks files to gLTF/GLB format using the SolidWorks Interop API and C#. The best approach depends on your specific requirements, available tools, and the complexity of your models. Whether you use an intermediate format, a direct export via an addin, or a third-party tool, make sure to validate the output gLTF/GLB files and optimize them for your intended use case.
## Prompt
suggest ways to convert solidwork files via interop API into .gltf or .glb, via SDK (#c), store in ./docs/glb.md, with code examples