CADshift for SOLIDWORKS Documentation
CADshift is a SOLIDWORKS add-in that streamlines manufacturing workflows with DXF and PDF export automation, BOM management, and parametric modeling tools.
Key Features
CADshift provides powerful export capabilities beyond what SOLIDWORKS offers natively.
DXF Export
Export from parts, assemblies, and drawings with full control over the output:
- Custom file naming using tokens like
<MATERIAL>,<THICKNESS>, and<MODEL_TITLE> - Batch export from assemblies and drawing BOMs
- Output Profiles - Send each kind of geometry — outline, holes, slots, cutouts, up/down bends, forming features, hardware inserts, hidden edges and more — to its own named, coloured layer, saved as a reusable recipe
- Bend annotations & etch text - Label every bend with fold instructions, or engrave part data straight onto the flat pattern (Professional)
- Metadata embedding with part information as text annotations
Sheet Metal Processing
Advanced features specifically for sheet metal manufacturing:
- Bend line trimming - Convert full bend lines to stubs for laser etching
- Laser cutting optimization - Remove intermediate nested contours automatically
- Bounding box export - Add material size rectangles for nesting
- Thin part detection - Export non-sheet metal flat parts
- A-face marking - Mark the cosmetic side of sheet metal parts in DXF output
PDF Export
Create professional drawing packages:
- QR code embedding - Add scannable codes with part data
- Watermarks - Brand your drawings or mark draft status
- Multi-sheet support - Different settings per sheet
BOM Manager
View, edit, and export your assembly Bill of Materials:
- Editable BOM grid - Manage columns, add custom or formula columns
- Formula engine - Compute per-row values with 14 built-in functions
- Weldment cut optimization - Minimize stock waste with bin-packing
- Stock inventory - Load bar lengths from Excel or CSV files
- Export - Save BOM as PDF, HTML, or CSV
Modeling Tools
Create complex geometry directly inside SOLIDWORKS:
- Math Surface - Generate surfaces from mathematical equations
- Equation Driven Points - Create reference points from parametric equations
Fasteners
Stop hand-placing hardware. CADshift builds and inserts whole bolt-sets:
- Bolt-set builder - Bolt or screw, washers, and nut in one go, with a live preview
- Hole-aware insertion - Right-click a hole and the size and standard are filled in for you
- Pattern insertion - Fill every hole in a hole pattern at once
- Save to library - Export reusable, multi-size fastener parts (Professional)
Getting Started
Step 1: Access CADshift
- Open SOLIDWORKS
- Look for the CADshift tab in the Command Manager ribbon
- Click DXF Export or PDF Export to begin
Step 2: Select What to Export
Depending on your document type:
| Document | Selection Options |
|---|---|
| Part | Bodies, faces, or sheet metal flat patterns |
| Assembly | Individual components with flat patterns |
| Drawing | Drawing views or Bill of Materials items |
Step 3: Configure Settings
Use the Settings tab to configure:
- File naming pattern with tokens
- Output directory
- Sheet metal options (bend lines, hidden edges, etc.)
- Sheet metal options (bend lines, hidden edges, etc.)
- Thin parts and metadata
Step 4: Open the preview and pick a profile
Click the green checkmark to open the DXF Export Preview window, then choose an Output Profile — this is where layer names, colours, line types, bend labels and etching live.
Step 5: Export
Click Export DXF in the preview window. Your DXF files are created and an HTML report opens with a preview of each part.
Document Types
Exporting from Parts
When you open a part document, CADshift can export:
- Sheet metal bodies - Automatically exports the flat pattern
- Solid bodies - Exports the widest face (thin part detection)
- Specific faces - Select exact faces to export
Multi-body Parts
For parts with multiple bodies, each qualifying body is exported as a separate DXF file. Use the
<BODY_NAME> token in your file naming pattern to distinguish them.Exporting from Assemblies
Select components in your assembly to export:
- Sheet metal components export their flat patterns
- Components are processed individually
- Each gets its own DXF with appropriate naming
Exporting from Drawings
Two export modes are available:
- Drawing Views - Export selected views as DXF
- Bill of Materials - Export all parts listed in a BOM
Edition Comparison
CADshift is available in three tiers: Free, Basic, and Professional.
| Feature | Free | Basic | Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXF Export (parts, assemblies, drawings) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PDF Export | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom file naming | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Layer names, colours & line types | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DXF Output Profiles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Flip flat pattern (most up-bends up) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Assembly export | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drawing/BOM export | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BOM Manager (grid & columns) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Equation Driven Points | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Selection Popups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mark A-face | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mark grain direction | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Insert fasteners (bolts, nuts, washers) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Metadata export | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Holes / slots / cutouts on their own layers | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| BOM/Cutlist export | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| PDF QR codes | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Math Surface | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Float license | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bounding box export | - | - | ✓ |
| PDF watermarks | - | - | ✓ |
| Bend annotations (tokens) | - | - | ✓ |
| Trim bend lines | - | - | ✓ |
| Etch / engrave text | - | - | ✓ |
| Laser cutting optimization | - | - | ✓ |
| Thin part detection | - | - | ✓ |
| Cut optimization (weldments) | - | - | ✓ |
| Fastener clamping over 10 mm | - | - | ✓ |
| Save fastener to library | - | - | ✓ |
| Edit fastener properties | - | - | ✓ |
| Priority support | - | - | ✓ |
Quick Links by Task
| I want to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Set up file naming | Export with Custom Names |
| Set up layers, colours & line types | Layer Configuration |
| Label each bend for the brake operator | Bend Annotations |
| Etch part data onto the flat pattern | Etch Text |
| Insert bolts, nuts & washers | Fasteners |
| Configure layers for my laser | Layer Configuration |
| Add material size boxes | Bounding Box Export |
| Embed part info in DXF | Metadata Export |
| Create bend line stubs | Trim Bend Lines |
| Export non-sheet metal flat parts | Thin Part Detection |
| Clean up nested geometry | Laser Cutting Optimization |
| Add QR codes to PDFs | PDF Export |
| Manage assembly BOM | BOM Manager |
| Write BOM formulas | BOM Manager — Formula Reference |
| Optimize weldment cuts | BOM Manager — Weldment Cutlist |
| Mark the A-face | Mark A-Face |
| Create a math surface | Math Surface |
| Generate equation-driven points | Equation Driven Points |
| Review release notes | Changelog |
Getting Help
If you need assistance with CADshift:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Documentation | Browse this help site for detailed guides |
| Support | Contact us through the CADshift website |
| Updates | Click the Update button in SOLIDWORKS to check for new versions |
Tip
Most settings are remembered between sessions. Configure your preferred options once, and CADshift will use them for all future exports.