--- title: Importing files from a different format description: When using imported files such as step files, solidedge files, IGES files etc you might encounter an error message regarding the file name or an invalid file type. --- [Skip to content](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/importing-files-from-a-different-format#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![MECAD Systems Logo - Original 2](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png?width=190&height=60&name=MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png)](https://mecad.co.za/) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [MECAD Systems Knowledge Base](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [General FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en) 3. [Files](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#files) # Importing files from a different format ## When using imported files such as step files, solidedge files, IGES files etc you might encounter an error message regarding the file name or an invalid file type. This is due to the fact that SOLIDWORKS tries to keep relations and mates from the original file. Almost like a sub-assembly within a larger assembly, it recognizes the sub-assembly mates etc, but the sub-assembly cannot move as intended unless it is made flexible. To solve this problem you will have to deselect the "3D Interconnect" function within the options. This function is found under the import settings as shown in the screenshot below. ![tempsnip](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/tempsnip.png?width=688&name=tempsnip.png) With this setting disabled SOLIDWORKS should now be able to "read" the file and open it without any problems.   *Date: 22/04/2022* - [SOLIDWORKS PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-pdm?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS CAM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-cam?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Visualize](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-visualize?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#solidworks-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Electrical](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-electrical?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Inspection](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-inspection?hsLang=en) - [General FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [BOM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#bom) - [Sheet Metal](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#sheet-metal) - [Files](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#files) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#pdm) - [Weldments](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#weldments) - [Assembly](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#assembly) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#installation) - [SolidWorks Standalone License](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#solidworks-standalone-license) - [File Locations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#file-locations) - [Certifications](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#certifications) - [3DEXPERIENCE Platform](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#faq) - [Updates](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#updates) - [SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Activation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#activation) - [Tips & Tricks](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#tips-tricks) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#installation) - [Custom](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#custom) - [Configurations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#configurations) - [Drawings](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#drawings) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#pdm) - [Assemblies](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#assemblies) - [SOLIDWORKS Gold Products](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products?hsLang=en#main-content) - [myCADtools](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products?hsLang=en#mycadtools) - [Licensing FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [July 2023 SOLIDWORKS License & Subscription Changes](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq?hsLang=en#july-2023-solidworks-license-subscription-changes) - [DraftSight](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/draftsight?hsLang=en) - [MECAD Events](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/mecad-events?hsLang=en#main-content) - [MECAD Accelerate](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/mecad-events?hsLang=en#mecad-accelerate) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - [Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Request a quote](https://mecad.co.za/request-a-quote/) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/download.png?width=137&height=24&name=download.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://mecad.co.za/) **Centurion Offices** Rosehip Office Park, 29 Landmarks Ave, Kosmosdal Ext 11, Samrand Centurion Gauteng +27 12 645 4300   **Cape Town Offices** Unit E1, Centurion Business Park, Cnr Bosmansdam & Democracy Road, Milnerton Cape Town, Western Cape +27 21 555 1513   **Durban Offices** Fairway Green Office Park, Gardenia House, 3 Abrey Road, Kloof Durban KwaZulu-Natal +27 31 764 7658 [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com) Copyright © 2025, MECAD