This article covers Artec Studio’s possibilities to export data from the user interface.
Options are as following:
Note: The software-specific export options will only appear in the interface if the corresponding applications are installed on your PC. If none of these are installed, Export meshes will be the only available option.
Export to Polyworks
To export an object to PolyWorks, the software must be installed on your PC, and the license USB key must be plugged in. Otherwise, the following error message will appear:
Once these requirements are met, right-click the object and select Export > Export to PolyWorks.
The PolyWorks interface will open automatically, and the object will be transferred to the PolyWorks project.
After transfer, you can import a CAD object from your PC or return to Artec Studio / Artec Twins to export the CAD model directly into the same project.
Export to ControlX
As mentioned above, there are two export options for ControlX: Export to ControlX and Inspect in ControlX. Both options require ControlX to be installed and activated on your PC.
Export to ControlX works similarly to exporting to PolyWorks: once launched, ControlX opens automatically with the mesh ready for further processing.
Note: If you plan to run dimensional analysis using a CAD model, import it directly into ControlX. Exporting a CAD model from the Artec Studio interface will create a separate ControlX project.
The second option, Inspect in ControlX, enables automatic inspection and report generation directly from the Artec Studio interface.
To use this feature:
- Create a dimensional inspection project in ControlX and save it as a .CXProj file.
- In Artec Studio, right-click the mesh, select Inspect in ControlX, and select your saved .CXProj file.
- Specify the output file format and save location.
- Click Inspect in ControlX to begin.
The ControlX interface will remain hidden, but status messages will appear on screen.
Once processing is complete, the final report will open automatically.
There are more advanced options for repetitive control available in Artec Studio and ControlX. Feel free to join the Artec Academy course to discover them.
Export to DesignX
Works in the same way as previous options.
However, we strongly recommend performing precise positioning in Artec Studio beforehand to ensure correct alignment within the coordinate system. I If you are not familiar with this functionality, please refer to the training document or Artec Studio’s manual.
Precise positioning is not strictly required for ControlX, as you will typically align the mesh to the CAD model (which is already oriented for inspection). However, reverse engineering in DesignX uses the mesh as a direct reference, so aligning it according to your intended design coordinate system is essential.
Export to SolidWorks as Part
This option transfers the selected mesh directly to SolidWorks. It is intended for users who have the Geomagic for SolidWorks plugin installed.
Precise positioning of the mesh is also highly recommended for this workflow (see the previous section for details).
If you want to know more about Artec Studio and SolidWorks collaboration, feel free to watch our dedicated webinar.
There are two options for exporting primitives (including Freeform and Autosurface) to SolidWorks: as a Part or as an Assembly. The choice depends on your workflow in SolidWorks—whether you plan to use the primitive for reverse engineering a single part or as a component within an assembly.
Export meshes
If you plan to work with third-party software such as Rhino, Fusion 360, or Revit, you can export your data in standard formats. To do so, select Export mesh and save the object in one of the supported file formats.