Mastercam File Translators

.STEP and .STP files are common neutral CAD file formats that can be opened in many CAD and CAM software applications. Mastercam can import STEP files directly for CAM programming, allowing the model geometry to be used to create toolpaths and modified as needed before machining is programmed.

STEP is one of the most common file formats for transferring CAD models from design to CAM programming on the shop floor because it is not tied to any single CAD system.

.SLDPRT is a SOLIDWORKS part file, and .SLDASM is a SOLIDWORKS assembly file. Mastercam can open SOLIDWORKS files directly without first converting them to a format such as STEP.

Directly importing a native SOLIDWORKS file reduces unnecessary file conversions. The imported geometry can be used for CAM programming in Mastercam and modified as needed using Mastercam’s CAD tools.

.IPT is an Autodesk Inventor part file, and .IAM is an Inventor assembly file. Mastercam supports importing Autodesk Inventor’s native CAD files, so IPT and IAM files can be used directly as the starting point for CAM programming.

This allows a part designed in Inventor to be transferred to Mastercam without an intermediate STEP conversion. Exact file version support depends on the Mastercam version being used.

Siemens NX uses the .PRT file extension to store parts and other CAD geometry. Mastercam can read native Siemens NX PRT files, allowing geometry designed in NX to be imported directly for CAM programming.

Directly reading Siemens NX files may require a separate Mastercam file translator license. Check the supported NX versions and licensing requirements for your specific version of Mastercam.

Mastercam supports both neutral exchange formats and native files from several CAD systems. Supported formats include STEP, Parasolid, IGES, ACIS, STL, DWG, and DXF.

Native CAD files can be imported from SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, Creo, Siemens NX, Solid Edge, Rhino, AutoCAD, Alibre Design, KeyCreator, and SpaceClaim, among others.

Support for specific file versions and import and export capabilities depends on the Mastercam version. Some native CAD interfaces may also require a separate license.

Not necessarily. Mastercam can open native files from many CAD systems directly, so models from SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX, CATIA, or Creo do not always need to be converted to STEP before CAM programming.

However, STEP is a very common and useful exchange format when no direct interface is available for the native CAD format or when the file needs to be transferred in a software-independent format.

The best file format depends on the CAD and CAM software being used. If the CAM software can open the native file from the original CAD system directly, using the native file can reduce unnecessary file conversions.

Among neutral exchange formats, STEP and Parasolid are common options for transferring 3D solid geometry from a CAD system to CAM software. STEP is particularly common for data exchange between software from different manufacturers.

Mastercam supports several native CAD formats as well as STEP, Parasolid, and other common exchange formats.

Yes. CAD geometry imported into Mastercam can be modified using Mastercam’s own CAD tools before programming toolpaths.

For example, you can repair geometry in the imported model, remove geometry that is unnecessary for machining, and create the surfaces, curves, and auxiliary geometry needed for toolpath programming. This means that a model received from a customer or the design department does not necessarily need to be returned to the original CAD system for every modification required for machining.