Exporting viewport data to a 3D XML-format file

Select FileExport3DXML from the main menu bar to export the model in the current viewport to a 3D XML-format file. 3D XML files can be used to integrate three-dimensional images into common business applications, such as e-mail messages, web pages, word processing documents, and presentations. The 3D XML Player (available from Dassault Systèmes at no cost) can be used as a stand-alone 3D XML client, and it is required to view 3D XML files in other applications. You can also view 3D XML files in CATIA V5 without the 3D XML Player. This export capability cannot be used to transfer geometry or models to 3DEXPERIENCE platform apps.

Related Topics
Using file selection dialog boxes
Using the File menu
What kinds of files can be imported and exported from Abaqus/CAE?

Context:

You can export your model at any time during an Abaqus/CAE session to a standard 3D XML file or to a compressed 3D XML file. A compressed 3D XML file will generally be significantly smaller than the corresponding standard 3D XML file, but the compression ratio depends on the contents of the model.

3D XML files are stored in an XML format based on the universal standard XML language. Compressed 3D XML files must be uncompressed to convert them to XML format.

To view certain line-based features (such as element edges, orientation triads, and datum planes) in an exported 3D XML file, set the view mode in the 3D XML Player to Shading with Edges. One- and two-dimensional features—including beam or truss elements, wireframe plots, reference points, sketches, and layers—and coordinate system triads are not exported. In addition, text is not exported; therefore, annotations, plot legends, and labels do not appear in the 3D XML file.

For visualization purposes, the 3D XML Player models a “floor” in the X–Y plane, and the default isometric view orients the Z-axis in the up direction. In Abaqus/CAE the default isometric view orients the Y-axis in the up direction. Models that appear upright in the default Abaqus/CAE view, therefore, normally appear to lie sideways on the floor in the default 3D XML Player view. To avoid this problem, Abaqus automatically rotates the model 90° about the X-axis and 90° about the Z-axis in the exported 3D XML file. These rotations make the default views of the model equivalent in Abaqus/CAE and the 3D XML Player.

The 3D XML format displays still images only. For information on exporting animations, see Saving an animation file.

Note:

Some 3D XML viewers do not support texture mapping in the 3D XML files. Therefore, when exporting a contour plot, you may need to switch to the tessellated rendering method to visualize colors in some 3D XML viewers; select Tessellated as the Contour Method in the Contour Plot Options dialog box, as described in Choosing the contour method.

  1. From the main menu bar, select FileExport3DXML.

    The Export to 3DXML File dialog box appears.

  2. From the File Filter menu at the bottom of the dialog box, select one of the following:

    • 3DXML (*.3dxml)

    • Compressed 3DXML (*.3dxml)

    Abaqus/CAE lists all the files in the selected directory with the file extension .3dxml.

  3. Select the file to which you want to export the image, or type the name of a new file in the File Name text field.

  4. Click OK to export the image and to close the Export to 3DXML File dialog box.