Save and load files > Save or export files
  
Save or export files
You can save your Creo Elements/Direct Modeling data in a number of different formats. That way, you can transfer your work to and from virtually any other CAD system. Use these options to easily work with other designers, even when they use other CAD systems.
You can also save your data to lightweight formats, like XVL and eDrawings, so that non-CAD experts can easily see your designs. For information about the supported file types, read File types overview.
3D Data is the default file type for Creo Elements/Direct Modeling.
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When you save 3D Data, cross-references are created among the files. To avoid data corruption, we recommend that you:
Save all assemblies and parts that belong in the same top-level assembly in the same folder or directory.
Type only a file name without any directory or path in the Filename field.
Change the folder from the Save dialog before you select the items to save.
File names that already exist are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Which file type should I choose?
Save your data in a package file if you are working alone, or if you do not plan frequent modifications to the model. Package files are also convenient when you need to send your entire assembly to a partner. The package file format is slower to update, because it overwrites all the model data.
Save your data as 3D Data files if you plan to share an assembly with other team members, or if you will make frequent modifications. When you save with the 3D Modified file type option, Creo Elements/Direct Modeling only saves the changes you have made in your current session. This is usually the fastest way to save.
Save a Session file if you need to easily restore your environment settings. These files are most helpful when you create animations and other visualizations of your model. Use them for temporary storage of projects in progress.
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Session files may not be compatible among different versions of Creo Elements/Direct Modeling.
Save an Environment file when you want to restore your environment settings for a future session.
If you use Creo Elements/DirectModel Manager, you should click Help in the Creo Elements/DirectModel Manager window to find instructions for saving files.
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To avoid confusion with modified status icons, do not save 3D Data files to both a file system and a Creo Elements/DirectModel Manager database in the same Creo Elements/Direct Modeling session.
Background:
The is-modified information for top level instances is shared between database filing and writing of 3D Data files to the file system. Both of them reset this information and therefore make it inaccessible for the other side.
Saving Package, Session and Bundle files is not affected by this.
To save or export a file,
1. For certain file types, first activate its module by clicking File > Modules, then open the Interfaces tab (see File types overview).
2. Click File > Save.
3. Click Save in and browse to the folder where you want the files saved.
4. Select the assembly, part, or workplane you wish to save in the Structure Browser, or click in the Viewport to select elements to save.
5. Select a File Type.
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You can see realistic thumbnail representations of package and bundle files in the Thumbnails view. However, realistic thumbnails are available only for files that were created or saved in Creo Elements/Direct 19.0 or later versions. Similarly, you can also see realistic thumbnails in Windows Explorer.
6. Click Options:
Statistics: Set the name and location of the statistics file.
Tolerance: For CATIA (*.model) files, you can set a tolerance. Valid values are between 0.1 and 0.001.
Export Empty Parts: Parts without geometry are exported.
Export Containers: Containers below parts and assemblies are exported. The container usually becomes an assembly, so parts saved in a container will be saved into the new assembly.
If you are saving 3D Data files, you will see a list of all the items that will be saved. Double-click an instance or contents name in this list to change its file name.
If you see other options, click Help in the options dialog for more information.
7. Type a name for your file, if this option is available.
8. Click Save.
Notation in the Save dialog
Elements you have selected appear at the top of the Save dialog. Next to each element's name, you will see notation in parenthesis that provides some basic information about the element.
A typical entry in the selected elements list may look like this:
washer (P:M5x15,S1,RO,M)
The notation in parenthesis provides the following information about the element:
washer - instance name
P - a part
A - an assembly
PF - face part
PW - wire part.
M5x15 - contents name
S - shared part, assembly, or face part. The number that follows is the group number indicating which assemblies are shared with each other. All assemblies displaying the same group number are shared.
RO - read-only part
RW - read-write part
M - part has been modified since the last save