Export

vcad supports multiple export formats for different use cases. This reference covers all export functions and options.

STL Export

Binary STL for 3D printing and CNC.

write_stl

Writes a part to a binary STL file.

.write_stl(path: &str) -> Result<(), CadError>

let part = centered_cube("box", 30.0, 30.0, 30.0);
part.write_stl("cube.stl")?;

to_stl

Returns STL data as bytes.

.to_stl() -> Vec<u8>

let stl_data = part.to_stl();
// Write to custom location, send over network, etc.
std::fs::write("custom/path.stl", &stl_data)?;

glTF/GLB Export

PBR-capable format for visualization. Requires the gltf feature (enabled by default).

export_glb

Exports a single part with material.

export_glb(
    part: &Part,
    material: &MaterialDef,
    path: &str,
) -> Result<(), CadError>

use vcad::export::{export_glb, MaterialDef};

let material = MaterialDef {
    name: "Aluminum".into(),
    color: [0.9, 0.9, 0.92],
    metallic: 0.95,
    roughness: 0.3,
    density: None,
    description: None,
};

export_glb(&part, &material, "model.glb")?;

export_scene_glb

Exports a multi-part scene with different materials.

export_scene_glb(
    scene: &Scene,
    materials: &Materials,
    path: &str,
) -> Result<(), CadError>

use vcad::{Part, Scene};
use vcad::export::{Materials, export_scene_glb};

let materials = Materials::parse(r#"
    [materials.steel]
    color = [0.7, 0.7, 0.72]
    metallic = 0.9
    roughness = 0.4

    [materials.rubber]
    color = [0.1, 0.1, 0.1]
    metallic = 0.0
    roughness = 0.9
"#)?;

let mut scene = Scene::new("assembly");
scene.add(Part::cube("frame", 100.0, 50.0, 30.0), "steel");
scene.add(Part::cylinder("wheel", 20.0, 10.0, 32), "rubber");

export_scene_glb(&scene, &materials, "assembly.glb")?;

MaterialDef

PBR material definition for glTF/USD export.

struct MaterialDef {
    name: String,
    color: [f32; 3],      // RGB, 0.0-1.0
    metallic: f32,        // 0.0-1.0
    roughness: f32,       // 0.0-1.0
    density: Option<f64>, // kg/m³
    description: Option<String>,
}

Common Materials

Materials

Collection of materials loaded from TOML.

Materials::parse

Parse materials from a TOML string.

Materials::parse(toml: &str) -> Result<Materials, ParseError>

Materials::load

Load materials from a TOML file.

Materials::load(path: &str) -> Result<Materials, LoadError>

TOML Format

[materials.aluminum_6061]
color = [0.85, 0.85, 0.88]
metallic = 0.95
roughness = 0.35
density = 2700
description = "6061-T6 Aluminum"

[materials.abs_black]
color = [0.08, 0.08, 0.08]
metallic = 0.0
roughness = 0.7
density = 1040

[part_materials]
frame = "aluminum_6061"
cover = "abs_black"

USD Export

Universal Scene Description for simulation. Requires the usd feature.

export_usd

Exports a part with physics properties.

export_usd(
    part: &Part,
    material: &MaterialDef,
    path: &str,
) -> Result<(), CadError>

use vcad::export::export_usd;

let material = MaterialDef {
    name: "Steel".into(),
    color: [0.7, 0.7, 0.72],
    metallic: 0.9,
    roughness: 0.4,
    density: Some(7800.0),  // For physics
    description: None,
};

export_usd(&part, &material, "model.usda")?;

export_robot_usd

Exports an articulated robot for Isaac Sim.

export_robot_usd(
    body: &Part,
    wheels: &[Part],
    config: &RobotConfig,
    path: &str,
) -> Result<(), CadError>

DXF Export

2D profiles for laser cutting and CNC routing.

DxfDocument

Builder for DXF files.

use vcad::export::DxfDocument;

let mut doc = DxfDocument::new();

// Add shapes
doc.add_rectangle(width, height, center_x, center_y);
doc.add_circle(center_x, center_y, radius);
doc.add_line(x1, y1, x2, y2);
doc.add_arc(cx, cy, radius, start_angle, end_angle);

// Sheet metal bend line (BEND layer)
doc.add_bend_line(x1, y1, x2, y2);

// Export
doc.export("profile.dxf")?;

Methods

STEP Export

CAD interchange format. Requires the step feature and OpenCASCADE.

#[cfg(feature = "step")]
export_step(part: &Part, path: &str) -> Result<(), CadError>

#[cfg(feature = "step")]
{
    use vcad::export::export_step;
    export_step(&part, "model.step")?;
}

Error Handling

All export functions return Result<(), CadError>:

match part.write_stl("output.stl") {
    Ok(()) => println!("Export successful"),
    Err(CadError::IoError(e)) => eprintln!("File error: {}", e),
    Err(CadError::MeshError(e)) => eprintln!("Mesh error: {}", e),
    Err(e) => eprintln!("Export failed: {:?}", e),
}