📤 How to Export AutoCAD 3D Models to STL, OBJ, SKP, STEP, 3DM, and More

AutoCAD's native export options are limited - it doesn't support direct export to OBJ, SKP, 3DM, or most other common 3D formats without additional tools. If you need to move an AutoCAD model into SketchUp, Rhino, Blender, a 3D printer, or a manufacturing CAD system, you need a plugin that adds those export paths directly inside AutoCAD.

Automesher Application adds the AmExportMesh command to AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, and GstarCAD, enabling export of AutoCAD 3D geometry to a wide range of formats in four steps.

Supported Export Formats

Automesher exports AutoCAD geometry to the following formats from within the active DWG drawing:

  • STL - for 3D printing and additive manufacturing (FDM, resin, SLS)
  • OBJ - for Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, game engines, and rendering pipelines
  • SKP - for SketchUp architectural visualization and presentation
  • 3DM - for Rhino surface modeling and fabrication
  • STEP / STP - for engineering CAD systems (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, NX)
  • IGES / IGS - legacy engineering exchange format
  • DAE - Collada for cross-platform 3D interchange
  • 3DS - legacy 3ds Max format
  • SAT - ACIS solid geometry for downstream CAD tools
  • PLY - for point cloud and 3D scanning workflows

How to Export 3D Models from AutoCAD: Step-by-Step

  1. 📥 Install Automesher Application

    Step 1: Install Automesher Application

    Download and install Automesher Application for your CAD platform - AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, or GstarCAD. After installation, restart your CAD application to autoload the plugin. Automesher adds a dedicated ribbon tab and the AmExportMesh command to your CAD environment.

  2. ▶️ Select the Geometry to Export

    Step 2: Select the Geometry to Export

    Type AmExportMesh in the AutoCAD command line and press Enter, or click Export Mesh in the Automesher ribbon. Select the 3D entities you want to export from the model space - this can be individual 3D solids, polyface mesh objects, surfaces, or any combination of supported entity types. Press Enter to confirm the selection.

  3. ⚙️ Choose the Output Format

    Step 3: Choose the Output Format

    In the save dialog, select your target format from the file type dropdown. Choose the format that matches the destination application:

    • STL - for slicers (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio) and 3D printing services
    • OBJ - for Blender, Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, and rendering tools
    • SKP - for SketchUp (choose the target SKP version in the export options)
    • STEP - for SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, Inventor, and other engineering CAD tools
    • 3DM - for Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino 2.x through 8.x)
    • DAE - for Collada-compatible applications and game engines
    • IGES - for legacy engineering systems that require IGS format

  4. 💾 Set the Filename and Save

    Step 4: Set the Filename and Save

    Enter your output filename, choose the destination folder, and click Save. Automesher processes the selected geometry and writes the output file immediately. For STEP and IGES exports, solid body geometry is preserved; for mesh-based formats (STL, OBJ, DAE), solid bodies are tessellated automatically based on the FACETRES system variable.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can AutoCAD export STL files natively?

    AutoCAD can export STL from 3D solid objects using the STLOUT command. Automesher adds export to OBJ, SKP, STEP, 3DM, and all other formats that AutoCAD doesn't support natively.

  2. Can I export a DWG drawing to SKP for use in SketchUp?

    Yes. Automesher exports AutoCAD 3D geometry to SKP format directly. You can select the target SketchUp version in the export options - from SketchUp 3 through the latest release - for compatibility with any SketchUp installation.

  3. Can I export AutoCAD geometry to STEP for SolidWorks or CATIA?

    Yes. Automesher exports AutoCAD 3D solid geometry to STEP format, which opens as solid bodies in SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, NX, Inventor, and other CAD tools. 3D solid entities export cleanly; polyface meshes are exported as faceted BREP representations in the STEP file.

  4. Can I select only specific layers or objects for export?

    Yes. The AmExportMesh command accepts an interactive selection - select only the entities you want to include before confirming the export. Use standard AutoCAD selection methods (window, crossing, layer filter) to refine the selection.

  5. Is there a free trial?

    Yes. Automesher Application is available as a free evaluation download. The trial allows a limited number of export operations so you can test the full workflow before purchasing.

Summary

Automesher Application adds direct export from AutoCAD (and BricsCAD, ZWCAD, GstarCAD) to STL, OBJ, SKP, STEP, 3DM, DAE, IGES, and other formats - all through a single AmExportMesh command. Select your geometry, pick the output format, name the file, and save. The companion import guide covers bringing external 3D files into AutoCAD: Import STEP, STL, OBJ, SKP, and 3DM into AutoCAD.

👉 Ready to export? Download Automesher Application and try it free.