Import CAD data

Importing CAD data into Upchain using the CAD Importer creates a new item for each CAD file numbered according to the item numbering rules as configured by your Tenant Administrator, and associates the CAD files to its drawings.

Before you start

Project selection

You must have a project created and activated, and you must be a member of that project to be able to import data into it.

File naming

Every [filename + file extension] must be unique in Upchain. This is to ensure consistency in the data, and so that CAD and drawing files are not accidentally mixed up between items. The extension is included in the item name, so you can register Part1.ipt only once, but it is possible to also register Part1.idw, Part1.iam, Part1.dwg, etc. to the same item or a different item.

By default, it is your responsibility to ensure every file name is unique before registering them into Upchain. However, your Tenant Admin can configure the tenant property filename.pattern to specify how CAD files and drawings will be renamed upon registration. This gives your organization control and consistency over the naming convention of all CAD and drawing file names in Upchain. This also means you can register the same CAD file into Upchain since it gets renamed every time.

Item types

During import, all assembly files are associated to an assembly item type. All parts are associated to a manufactured item type. Once the items are registered into Upchain, you can modify the item type as necessary. However, if you have item numbering rules that are specific to the item type, then you won't be able to change the item number to align with the item type after item creation. In other words, the item number is set during item creation and cannot be changed afterwards. Consider this when importing CAD data.

Supported CAD

You may use the Import CAD option for all supported CAD types in Upchain. However, you may only use Directory Import for SOLIDWORKS files.

Tip: The Import CAD option in the CAD plugin may also be used to import CAD data in bulk and may perform better for certain CAD types.

Import CAD files

Open the Upchain CAD Importer.
Sign in to the CAD Importer.
From the Pick a project drop-down list, select the project into which you want to import CAD data.
Click Import CAD.

The file explorer opens.
Navigate to the folder that contains the CAD files.
Click Open.

The Project selection window opens.
Click the box next to the project level, end item, or sub-level item to indicate where the items should be created.
Click Select.

The import process begins. In the Details column, view details about the import progress for each file.

After the import is successfully completed, a new eBOM structure is created in Upchain under your selected project.

Note: During the import process, STEP and STL translations of the 3D models are automatically created, as well as visualization and a PNG file of the model, but PDF and DWG translations of drawings cannot be generated during import. If you want to generate these translations, you must check out and check in the drawings using the CAD plugin.

Import Inventor's Content Center and/or Library files using the CAD Importer

When an assembly is brought into Upchain using the CAD Importer that includes Content Center and/or Library (CC/Lib) files, the CC/Lib files are not recognized as a CC/Lib files.

The CC/Lib file is:

Renamed according to the item numbering rule set for the tenant.
Registered in Upchain as a regular part in the assembly.
Its status is set to Development.
Others on the team can then modify the CC/Lib file.

Tip: The Import CAD option in the CAD plugin may be used to import CC/Lib files to released purchased items.