Export

Export workflows send design data from Zoo Design Studio to external CAD systems, manufacturing equipment, visualization tools, and collaboration platforms. Zoo supports industry-standard export formats ensuring compatibility with downstream processes.

Supported Export Formats

CAD and Engineering Formats

STEP (.step, .stp)

• Standard for the Exchange of Product model data (ISO 10303)
• Industry-standard neutral CAD format
• Preserves precise solid geometry and assemblies
• Best for CAD system interchange (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo, Inventor, Fusion 360)
• Includes assembly structure if exporting multi-body designs
• Recommended for manufacturing and engineering collaboration

STL (.stl)

• Stereolithography format (ISO/ASTM 52915)
• Tessellated (triangulated) surface representation
• Standard for 3D printing and additive manufacturing
• No internal structure or curves (mesh approximation only)
• Files can be large for complex geometry
• Required for most 3D printing workflows

Visualization and Graphics Formats

glTF/GLB (.gltf, .glb)

• Graphics Library Transmission Format
• Modern 3D asset standard for web and real-time rendering
• Compact file size, optimized for transmission
• Supports materials, textures, and PBR rendering
• Best for web visualization, AR/VR, and game engines

OBJ (.obj)

• Wavefront OBJ format
• Widely-supported mesh format
• Simple human-readable text format (can be large)
• Limited material support (requires companion .mtl file)
• Good for general 3D software compatibility

PLY (.ply)

• Polygon File Format (Stanford Triangle Format)
• Supports vertex colors and other custom attributes
• Used in computer graphics, 3D scanning, and point clouds
• Useful for visualization and data exchange with graphics tools

FBX (.fbx)

• Filmbox format (Autodesk)
• Interchange for animation, VFX, and game development
• Supports complex scenes, animations, and rigs
• Best for animation pipelines and game engine import

Export Command

Access the Export command via:

• Command Bar: Search "Export"
• Menu: File → Export
• Keyboard shortcut (if configured)

Export Options

Type

Which file format to export:

• STEP - CAD solid geometry (best for engineering)
• STL - Mesh for 3D printing
• OBJ - General mesh format
• glTF / GLB - Modern graphics format for web and AR/VR
• PLY - Polygon format
• FBX - For animation and game engines

Storage

Where to save the file:

• Local - Save to your computer (default)
• Cloud - Save to Zoo cloud storage (if available)

Up Axis

Which direction is "up":

• Y-up - Y-axis is vertical (common in graphics software)
• Z-up - Z-axis is vertical (common in CAD)

Zoo will use the standard for your chosen format unless you override it.

Scale

Scaling factor for unit conversion:

• 1.0 - No scaling (default)
• 0.001 - Millimeters to meters
• 25.4 - Inches to millimeters
• 0.0393701 - Millimeters to inches

Use this when the target software expects specific units.

Export Workflow

Basic Export Process

1. Complete design in Zoo Design Studio
2. Open Command Bar or use File menu
3. Select Export command
4. Choose file format appropriate for downstream use
5. Configure parameters:
   • Set up-axis if needed
   • Apply scale conversion if required
   • Select storage destination
6. Specify filename and location
7. Confirm export

Multi-Body Export

When exporting projects containing multiple solid bodies:

• STEP format: Exports as assembly with multiple components
• Mesh formats (STL, OBJ, glTF): Exports as single file with multiple meshes
• Body names are preserved as component identifiers
• Spatial relationships and positions are maintained

Format Selection Guide

By Downstream Application

By Use Case

Export Quality Considerations

Mesh Resolution (STL, OBJ, PLY)

Mesh exports tessellate curved surfaces into triangles:

• Higher resolution: More triangles, larger files, smoother curves
• Lower resolution: Fewer triangles, smaller files, visible faceting
• 3D printing: Use high resolution to ensure smooth printed surfaces
• Real-time viz: Balance resolution with performance needs

Zoo automatically determines appropriate tessellation based on geometry complexity. For custom control, adjust export settings in advanced options.

Accuracy Preservation

Formats preserving exact geometry:

• STEP (solid models, exact curves and surfaces)

Formats using approximation:

• STL, OBJ, PLY, glTF, FBX (tessellated meshes, curved surfaces approximated)

For engineering and manufacturing workflows requiring dimensional accuracy, always use STEP format.

Unit Conversion Best Practices

When exporting between systems using different units:

1. Know your source units (check Zoo file unit setting)
2. Know target system expectations (inches vs. mm)
3. Apply scale parameter or convert units before export
4. Verify scale after import in target system

Common unit conversions:

• Millimeters → Meters: scale = 0.001
• Meters → Millimeters: scale = 1000
• Inches → Millimeters: scale = 25.4
• Millimeters → Inches: scale = 0.0393701

Advanced Export Workflows

Batch Export

For exporting multiple files or formats:

1. Use KCL scripting to automate exports
2. Export to multiple formats for different downstream uses
3. Maintain consistent naming conventions

Version Control Integration

When using version control (Git):

• Export STEP files for engineering review
• Include exported files in repository for traceability
• Tag releases with corresponding export snapshots
• Document export settings in version history

Manufacturing Release Package

Create comprehensive manufacturing package:

1. Export STEP for CAM programming
2. Export STL for validation/visualization
3. Include DXF for 2D drawings (if applicable)
4. Package technical drawings and specifications
5. Include material and finish requirements