Import a Shape3D, AkuShaper or BoardCAD file

What you can import

• Shape3D: save the board as .s3dx. Surfbase reads the outline, rocker and the dimensions exactly as Shape3D holds them. The older binary .s3d is read where it can be; save as .s3dx if one is refused.
• AkuShaper: the .brd file AkuShaper saves. A password-protected .brx works too: upload it on the web and type its password.
• BoardCAD: the .brd file BoardCAD saves.
• Any 3D tool: STL, OBJ, DXF, PLY, GLB or glTF. Surfbase reads the outline and rocker from the mesh.

Files come from your computer, or from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or iCloud Drive.

Steps

1. Start a new design

   Go to Designs and select New design. Under Start from, choose A 3D model.

2. Choose the file

   Upload it, or pick it from a connected cloud drive. Surfbase detects the format and reads the geometry. A .brx asks for its password here.

3. Check the curves

   The outline and rocker Surfbase found are drawn over the model. Look at each curve before you accept it: this is where a stray point or a mirrored half shows up.

4. Name it and create the design

   Type a Name and select Create design. It opens in the editor with the model as its shape.

Editing an imported design

An imported design keeps its model as the source of its shape, so the dimension fields are read-only at first. Select Detach & edit dimensions to type values and drag the curves; Restore shape brings the model back. A design still attached to its model has no stringer curves for blank fitting until it is detached.

If something goes wrong

• A damaged AkuShaper file. If the .brd is incomplete, open the board in AkuShaper and save it again, then import that file.
• A binary Shape3D file that won't open. Open the board in Shape3D and save it again as .s3dx, or export STL or OBJ, then import that.
• The file can't be parsed. Export it to STL, OBJ, DXF or glTF from your design tool and import that instead.