What is the best way to share CAD files with colleagues, clients, and suppliers?

All of you my name is Ramphal singh, Haryana. If you start work in AutoCAD, that is very helpful to you. You start the job in any field then autocad is use and your journey is started and pickup is very good.

PDF is still a standard for transferring information to all parties; regardless of the shareholder's technology, everyone can read a PDF. DWG and DXF are the gold standard for everyone with CAD software, but having an easily navigable drawing is important. Standards here vary from industry to industry. STEP files for CNC machines are invaluable! The one file type that I think is missing is .IFC for BIM integration. All of the major software in BIM accept the .IFC format.

PDF is an amazing format for both 2D and 3D - provided the client or colleague doesn’t need the CAD entities but does want to see the project and it’s associated drawings. 3D PDF models can be manipulated, made transparent, etc.. If sharing native CAD data, my preference is DXF - for 2D or 3D it’s hands-down the universal exchange format.

Sharing the CAD files has always been difficult as we share them to different disciplines. I would start with e-transfer in the AutoCAD that will help to remove the title blocks if required and then Share point is an amazing tool that I find most convenient.

3DEXPERIENCE is indееd a widеly rеcognizеd platform for managing CAD filеs and collaborating on 3D dеsigns. thе "bеst" way to sharе CAD filеs can vary basеd on spеcific projеct rеquirеmеnts, tеam prеfеrеncеs, sеcurity considеrations, and othеr factors. Somе kеy points for considеring it is as bеlow 1. 3DEXPERIENCE platform that facilitatе CAD filе sharing, collaboration, vеrsion control, and sеcurе accеss. 2. Maintain a wеll-organizеd structurе within thе platform to catеgorizе and storе CAD filеs basеd on projеcts, dеsigns, or spеcific critеria, making it еasy for collеaguеs, cliеnts, and suppliеrs to navigatе and find what thеy nееd.

One thing I have found very helpful is the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It has multiple ways to share and collaborate. It is so useful that you can use 3DDrive just like other cloud services. If you want to share data with a design partner then you can securely share it using the 3D Space app. Storing and sharing data on cloud platforms is the future of design tools and saves time, money and total cost ownership.

The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform by Dassault Systèmes also provides cloud file storage and sharing for CAD data. When sharing a link to a file with 3DEXPERIENCE, the recipient can quickly review the file in a browser-based viewer, without the need to download a file or have a separate application on their desktop.

In my experience, using sharepoint is one of the very good ways to share files with internal and external stakeholders. Sharepoint is easy to use and understand even for beginners.

Anything that speedsup your work is always a plus point.. Keep in mind to protect your data at any cost. And select the too carefully.

Often times CAD files due to it's level of detail they have large sizes and becomes difficult to share due it's size. So, the easiest way is to upload the file(s) to a cloud storage like dropbox, Onedrive Or Google Drive and share the link with others. Through onedrive however you can share the folders with others via outlook without hassle.

Here's what I follow before sharing: - Check for any scaling errors. - Check the units throughout. - Ask the recipient what version of software they are using to convert the file to best compatible one. - Check the layers properly, make sure it's done as per international standards or company's standards. Bonus: I always prefer to use the latest version of a software as one can open any file format in it seamlessly. But for older versions of the software you can't open the newer file formats.

For mechanical CAD, the next-generation tools ensure everyone can access data through a browser, not an installed CAD application. But if you need to export, it is still possible. With Onshape you set the permissions on how your peers, colleagues, suppliers, customers, etc can access the designs. Want to share with a supplier, but not allow them to export and create unauthorized copies? No problem.

Engaging in a proactive conversation with the recipient to ascertain their software version is an excellent practice. However, I also emphasize the importance of maintaining a vigilant eye on file quality, especially when dealing with intricate designs. This approach ensures that the shared files not only open but also convey the intended details accurately.

Using file compression tools like ZIP before sharing CAD files can significantly streamline the transfer process and reduce storage requirements, making it an effective way to optimize file sharing.

If the recipient is using a software that is capable of reading parasolid data I prefer .xt or .xb files….. they are small and transfer with accuracy .

Share clean files. Try to make it easy for the recipient and share just what it is needed. Keep your coordinate the same during the whole project Keep your layers same color and name during the whole project.

You might want to show a client something that is not particularly useful for manufacturing but conveys your design well to them. One great way to do that is to send 3D-embedded HTML files that are interactive and allow the recipient to view the design in 3D as long as they have access to a browser. You can even remove the ability for the recipient to measure dimensions in the file, and you can also redact some parts as you wish. You can research how to achieve this based on your CAD software of choice.

- Share neutral CAD files for review and remarks - Some best widely used neutral file formats are STEP, STL, IGES, Parasolid-XT, and 3DPDF. - Utilize cloud storage such as Drive, Onedrive, Dropbox to share files. - Share a PDF drawings rather than .dwg files with clients and suppliers - During final handover, make sure to share all the native and neutral files with your customer

I am looking for one day 3D drawing becomes main stream. There is a lot of waste from design 3D model to 2D drawing, then 3D model gets reproduced from 2D in manufacturing. 3D printing starting to merge this gap, but more things can be done in traditional manufacturing method.

In the world of CAD, staying adaptable to new technologies is key. Cloud-based collaboration and AI-driven tools are transforming how we share files and will certainly make our work faster and CAD-life easier. Embracing these innovations can enhance efficiency and creativity in our design projects.