An open, universal format used for 3D printing and CAD. It represents the surface geometry of a 3D object as a raw, unstructured triangulated mesh. Common Use Cases for Conversion Conversion is typically sought by dental technicians for:
If you are trying to convert an SDFA file that belongs to a dental anatomy library, try this trick: Load a custom model tooth from the library in your design.
In older versions of the software, you can often save visible elements directly. Open the File : Load the SDFA file within the software. Enter Expert Mode : Right-click and select Expert Mode Isolate Elements : Hide any elements you do not wish to export. Save as STL : Right-click on the remaining visible model and choose Save as STL Export to Mesh 2. Library Extraction (Standard Method)
If you are using a locked-down version of the software (like 3.2+) and cannot find an export button, community members on the Dental Lab Network have utilized photogrammetry to reverse-engineer the files: Open the .sdfa file in the exocad 3D viewer.