Both Automesher LT and Automesher Application add 3D mesh import, export, and conversion commands to AutoCAD. The free LT version covers the essential formats most AutoCAD users need for basic 3D printing and mesh workflows. The full Automesher Application extends this to professional-grade formats, mesh-to-solid conversion, and broader CAD platform support. This page compares both versions side by side so you can choose the right one for your workflow.
Automesher LT: Free AutoCAD Mesh Plugin
Automesher LT is a free AutoCAD add-on available from the Autodesk App Store. It adds three commands to AutoCAD:
- AMIMPORTMESHLT - imports 3D mesh files from external formats into the current DWG drawing as polyface mesh or 3D face entities
- AMEXPORTMESHLT - exports selected 3D entities from the DWG drawing to external mesh formats
- AMCONVERTMESHLT - converts between mesh entity types within the DWG (polyface mesh, polygon mesh, 3D faces)
Supported Formats in Automesher LT
- STL - 3D printing and scan data
- OBJ - Blender, Maya, and general 3D interchange
- 3DS - 3ds Max legacy format
- OFF - Object File Format for research and mesh processing
- PLY - Stanford polygon format for 3D scan data
Automesher LT requires AutoCAD 2019 or newer. It does not support BricsCAD, ZWCAD, or GstarCAD.
Automesher Application: Full Professional Plugin
Automesher Application includes everything in Automesher LT and adds significant capabilities for professional workflows:
Additional Formats Beyond LT
- FBX - game engines, animation, and DCC tool interchange
- SKP - SketchUp architectural and design models
- STEP / STP - engineering CAD from SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, Inventor
- IGES / IGS - legacy engineering CAD interchange
- DAE (Collada) - cross-application interchange
- 3MF - modern 3D manufacturing format with color support
- IFC - BIM models from Revit and ArchiCAD
- GLTF / GLB - web 3D and AR formats
- USD / USDZ - Pixar Universal Scene Description and Apple AR
- And 20+ additional formats
Mesh-to-Solid Conversion (Not in LT)
Automesher Application adds the full AmConvertMesh command with mesh-to-solid conversion. Select polyface mesh entities and convert them to ACIS 3D solid bodies - enabling FILLET, CHAMFER, UNION, SUBTRACT, INTERSECT, MASSPROP, and STEP/SAT export. The Fill Holes and Fix Geometry repair options handle non-manifold and open mesh geometry that AutoCAD's built-in CONVTOSOLID cannot process.
Broader CAD Platform Support
Automesher Application runs natively in all four major DWG-compatible CAD platforms - not just AutoCAD:
- AutoCAD - 2010 and newer (vs 2019+ for LT)
- BricsCAD - Pro and Ultimate
- ZWCAD - Standard and Professional
- GstarCAD - Standard and Professional
Automesher LT vs Automesher Application: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Automesher LT | Automesher Application |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ✅ Free (Autodesk App Store) | 💰 Paid annual license |
| Supported input/output formats | 5 formats: STL, OBJ, 3DS, OFF, PLY | 30+ formats including FBX, SKP, STEP, IGES, DAE, IFC, GLTF, USD |
| Mesh-to-solid conversion | ❌ No | ✅ AmConvertMesh with Fill Holes and Fix Geometry |
| Minimum AutoCAD version | AutoCAD 2019 | AutoCAD 2010 |
| BricsCAD support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| ZWCAD support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| GstarCAD support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| STEP / IGES import/export | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| SKP (SketchUp) import/export | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| IFC (BIM) import/export | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Boolean operations after conversion | ❌ No (no solid output) | ✅ Yes (via AmConvertMesh to solid) |
| MASSPROP on converted geometry | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (after mesh-to-solid) |
Which Version Should You Choose?
Choose Automesher LT if your work is limited to importing and exporting STL, OBJ, or PLY files in AutoCAD 2019 or newer, and you don't need mesh-to-solid conversion, engineering CAD formats (STEP, IGES), or BIM interchange (IFC). It handles the most common 3D printing and basic mesh workflows for free.
Choose Automesher Application if any of the following apply:
- You need to import or export STEP, IGES, SKP, FBX, IFC, GLTF, USD, or other professional formats
- You need mesh-to-solid conversion for Boolean operations, MASSPROP, or STEP/SAT export
- You use BricsCAD, ZWCAD, or GstarCAD instead of or alongside AutoCAD
- You use AutoCAD 2010–2018 (Automesher LT requires 2019+)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Automesher LT convert polyface mesh to 3D solid?
No. Automesher LT provides AMCONVERTMESHLT which converts between mesh entity types (polyface ↔ polygon mesh ↔ 3D faces) but cannot produce 3D solid bodies. Mesh-to-solid conversion with Boolean operation support is exclusive to Automesher Application's AmConvertMesh command.
Is Automesher LT available for BricsCAD or ZWCAD?
No. Automesher LT is available only for AutoCAD through the Autodesk App Store. Automesher Application runs in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, and GstarCAD.
Does Automesher Application include a free trial?
Yes. Automesher Application is available as a free evaluation download with a limited number of import and export operations, so you can test the full feature set before purchasing.
Summary
Automesher LT is a free AutoCAD plugin (2019+) covering STL, OBJ, 3DS, OFF, and PLY import/export - suitable for basic 3D printing and mesh workflows. Automesher Application adds FBX, SKP, STEP, IGES, IFC, GLTF, USD, and 20+ additional formats, mesh-to-solid conversion with Fill Holes and Fix Geometry, and support for AutoCAD 2010+, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, and GstarCAD.
👉 Ready to start? Download Automesher LT free or try Automesher Application with a free evaluation download.