Mechanical Drawings and Exports in Flux

Flux is an AI hardware engineer. It prepares mechanical models and drawings for product design, manufacturing, and CAD handoff.

Export a 3D model

Ask Flux to export the board in the 3D format that your next workflow needs.

Export the board and its component models as STL for a fit check.

Export the assembled board as STEP for mechanical CAD.

Export the board as compressed STEP.

Export the board as COLLADA for a 3D viewer.

Export the board as GLB for a web viewer.

Export the board as BREP for a solid-model workflow.

Export the board as VRML for a 3D viewer.

Export the board geometry as XAO.

Use the PCB 3D model menu to create a model of the board and its component models. Open the PCB editor in 3D view before you export STL or COLLADA.

Open the project that contains the board layout.
Select Flux menu → Export → Mechanical → PCB 3D model.
Choose STL, STEP, compressed STEP, GLB, COLLADA, BREP, VRML, or XAO.
Save the exported file for your next design or manufacturing step.

Format	Contents	Use
STL (`.stl`)	Mesh of the board and its assigned component 3D models	3D printing, fit checks, and rendering
STEP (`.step`)	Precise board geometry and assigned component 3D models	Mechanical CAD, enclosure integration, and dimensional checks
Compressed STEP (`.stpZ`)	The same STEP model in a compressed file	CAD handoff when you want a smaller file
COLLADA (`.dae`)	3D scene with board and component models, colors, and materials	3D visualization and rendering
GLB (`.glb`)	Binary 3D scene with board and component models	Web 3D viewers
BREP (`.brep`)	Solid boundary representation of the board and component models	Solid-model CAD workflows
VRML (`.wrl`)	3D scene with board and component models	3D viewers and visualization
XAO (`.xao`)	Board geometry without component models	Geometry workflows that use XAO

The STEP export includes the board and assigned component models. XAO exports the board geometry without component models.

Fix missing 3D models before export

Ask Flux to find and add the missing component models.

Find components without 3D models and add models that match their packages.

Check the connector orientations in the 3D board view and correct their positions.

Review the board outline and component placement in 3D before exporting STEP.

Open the PCB editor in 3D view to review component positions and orientations. Use the Inspector to link each component to its 3D model.

Export 2D board drawings

Ask Flux to export a 2D drawing of the board.

Export the board outline and mounting holes as DXF for the enclosure designer.

Export a PDF drawing of the board.

Export a PDF with one page for each board layer.

Export an SVG for each board layer.

You can also do it in the UI.

Use 2D drawings to share the board outline or drawing information with a mechanical workflow.

Open the board project.
Select Flux menu → Export → Mechanical → PCB 2D drawings.
Choose DXF, SVG, or PDF.
Save the drawing with the project files that use it.

Flux can also create DXF and SVG artwork and outlines. Use these files when a mechanical part or flat component needs to follow the board shape, mounting points, or a product outline.

Create a dimensioned part drawing

Ask Flux to create a dimensioned manufacturing drawing for a mechanical part.

Create a dimensioned drawing of the sheet-metal motor bracket. Include the formed views, flat pattern, hole and slot sizes, bend lines, material, and thickness.

Create a manufacturing drawing of this machined robot link. Show the front, side, and top views with the bore sizes and positions.

Create a drawing of the enclosure lid with the overall dimensions and the positions and sizes of its mounting holes.

Open the project that contains the mechanical part.
Open Chat and ask Flux for a dimensioned drawing.
Open the project Files to open the PDF drawing.

Flux creates a 2D manufacturing drawing as a PDF and saves it in the project files. The drawing can include front, side, and top views, a sheet-metal flat pattern, dimensions, hole and slot sizes and positions, bend lines, and a title block with material and thickness.

Export a model asset

Ask Flux to export a mechanical model asset in the format that you need.

Export the bracket model asset as STL for 3D printing.

Export the motor mount model asset as STEP.

You can also do it in the UI.

Model assets provide export formats for mechanical parts in the project.

Add or create a mechanical model asset in the project.
Open the asset's available outputs.
Choose STEP, STL, OBJ, 3MF, or BREP.
Download the file for your next tool or manufacturing process.

Use a model asset output when you need a single part or assembly model. Use the PCB 3D model menu when you need the project's board in the exported 3D model. Keep source assets with the project so the design remains connected to its hardware and product requirements.

Continue in your CAD tool

STEP provides a model handoff to the CAD tool your team uses. Export the part or assembly as STEP, open it in that tool, and continue the design there. You can return to Flux with an updated file when you want Flux to edit the model alongside the board and other project parts.

Export the enclosure assembly as STEP so I can continue in my CAD tool.

Select the model asset that you want to hand off.
Choose STEP as the output format.
Download the file and open it in your CAD tool.
Continue the design in your existing workflow.
Add the updated file to the Flux project when you want to work on it with Flux.

For 2D work, export DXF or SVG artwork and open it in the tool that uses the drawing. Keep file names clear so you can tell which part, board, or revision each export describes.

Choose the right output

Use STEP for a solid-model handoff. Use STL or 3MF for 3D printing workflows. Use OBJ, GLB, COLLADA, VRML, or XAO when the next workflow expects a scene or model exchange format. Use BREP for a boundary representation model. Use DXF or SVG for vector outlines and artwork. Use PDF when you need a drawing document.

Keep the export tied to its use. A board enclosure workflow may need the 3D model and a 2D outline. A fabrication workflow may need the model file for a quote. A CAD handoff may need STEP with the product assembly context.

Example prompts

Ask Flux to prepare a mechanical drawing or model file for your next step.

Export the board and its mechanical parts as a STEP model so I can continue in my CAD tool.

Create an SVG outline of this board with its mounting holes and connector locations.

Prepare the motor bracket model as STL and 3MF outputs for a 3D printing workflow.

Export the PCB 2D drawing as DXF for the sheet-metal enclosure layout.

Create a BREP output for the display mount and a STEP file for the complete assembly.

Create a dimensioned PDF drawing of the sheet-metal bracket with its flat pattern, bend lines, material, and thickness.

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