One of the benefits of Ultimaker Cura is that users can extend the core functionality of the software to streamline their 3D printing workflow.
Users can experiment with modifications to Ultimaker Cura to integrate different software, read custom file formats, add custom menu items, and more.
Plugin development is open to all users, who can add functions to the software as they see fit.
A Tool for Global Product Designers and Engineers
One currently available plugin is SolidWorks integration. The SolidWorks integration plugin is an example of a file reader extension - a plugin that
allows you to read file formats from different software.
SolidWorks is a prominent industry standard design suite, used by more than 3,246,750 product designers and engineers worldwide, representing 240,010 organizations across industrial,
medical, scientific, consumer, educational, technology, and transportation sectors.
Therefore, extending Ultimaker Cura's integration with SolidWorks has wide-reaching implications for organizations that have adopted 3D printing.
Bridging the Gap
Objects designed in SolidWorks have proprietary file formats.Designs are made up of parts (.sldprt) that form assemblies (.asm).
In the past, to prepare a SolidWorks design for 3D printing, it first had to be exported in a proprietary .stl format, where it could be opened in Ultimaker Cura,
positioned on the build plate, sliced into layers, and then exported again as G-code to be 3D printed.
The SolidWorks integration plugin for Ultimaker Cura means you no longer need to convert files again.
Once installed, the SolidWorks integration plugin performs two key functions:Users can open .sldprt or .asm files directly in Ultimaker Cura,
just like opening any other file.
The user can select the quality of the imported file, which will be loaded onto the build plate in Ultimaker Cura with the same scale and orientation as it was in SolidWorks.
Opening SolidWorks files in Ultimaker Cura
Users can add an "Export to Ultimaker Cura" button to the SolidWorks interface to quickly drop designs from SolidWorks into Ultimaker Cura.
Easier Design Iteration
Another advantage of the SolidWorks integration plugin is faster export when modifying designs.
Suppose that, after an initial prototype, a design needs to be altered - a tolerance fit part is too tight, or a revision needs to be made for compliance reasons.With the SolidWorks integration plugin,
all that is necessary is to revise the design, click the "Export to Ultimaker Cura" button inside the SolidWorks interface,
and the plugin will open Ultimaker Cura with the latest design iteration in place.
The entire workflow is outlined in this screencast:
All Plugins in One Place
All available plugins in Ultimaker Cura can be found in the plugin browser by navigating to Plugins > Browse plugins.
To find out how to develop your own custom plugins to meet your business needs, please explore the overview on this page.
Original source:https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52472-ultimaker-cura-3d-printing-software-solidworks-integration-for-a-better-workflow