CAD files
DXF or STEP: which file should you upload?
Use DXF for a finished flat profile. Use STEP when the part’s formed shape matters. Upload one CAD file per part.
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Choose the file that describes the finished part
A quote starts with the geometry you send. The file should describe the part you want made, without leaving the shop to guess whether a flat shape is the finished part or a blank that still needs bending.
| Your part | Start with | What the file communicates |
|---|---|---|
| Flat plate, panel, or profile | DXF | The outside contour and internal cutouts. |
| Part with bends | STEP / STP | The finished shape, thickness, and modeled bends. |
| Flat solid model | STEP or DXF | Use one clean representation of the finished flat part. |
A DXF can be a good description of a laser-cut blank, but a flat outline alone does not communicate the finished bend angles, bend direction, or formed dimensions. If those details matter, use the formed STEP model and provide a drawing for requirements that are not clear in the model.
Check the geometry before you upload
- Export at full scale and check the units against a known dimension.
- Keep one finished part in each CAD file. Remove extra views, title blocks, dimensions, and construction geometry from a cutting DXF.
- Check that the outside contour and cutouts are closed, with no duplicate paths.
- For STEP, check that the file contains the intended solid and that its thickness and formed shape match the part you need.
After upload, compare the preview and detected dimensions with your drawing. Choose the intended material, thickness, and quantity before relying on the price. A successful file upload is the start of that check, not confirmation that every manufacturing requirement is covered.
Add context without creating another quote part
Choose the CAD file that best describes the part you want quoted. If you only have a print, or need to explain tolerances, hardware, finishes, or a relationship between files, send a PDF, PNG, or JPEG through the print-quote request. Describe the requirement and identify the part name and revision in your request.
Use the preparation guide for your file
Clean geometry helps the preview and quote match your intent. Use the file-specific checks below, then upload the actual revision you want made. If the part enters shop review, keep that revision and its requirements together so the review is based on the same part.