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How to export SOLIDWORKS parts to FBX with materials and UVs (Blender, Cinema 4D)

SOLIDWORKS does not save FBX, so people go through other software and then fix the UVs by hand. Render Export writes the part straight to FBX: each SOLIDWORKS appearance becomes a material, with smooth normals and packed 0…1 UV maps, ready for Cinema 4D or Blender.

A SOLIDWORKS part exported to FBX and rendered in Blender

Step by step

  1. 01Open the part, Advanced Surface Tools tab › Render Export.
  2. 02Quality (Coarse, Medium, Fine), units (mm, cm, m, inch), Unwrap UVs on or off, split angle, island gap, hidden bodies, merge bodies, one material.
  3. 03Choose the file name. Progress shows in the status bar; Esc cancels.
  4. 04Import the FBX in Cinema 4D or Blender: objects, materials per appearance and UV layer are there.

Try it on your own part

Advanced Surface Tools is a SOLIDWORKS add-in (2023 or newer). Every tool works free for 14 days; a licence is €99 plus VAT, one-time.

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Docs: Render Export

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