Troubleshooting PIX Import Issues in SolidWorks

How to Import PIX Files into SolidWorks — Step-by-StepImporting PIX files into SolidWorks can unlock photogrammetry, texture-rich models, or camera/project-specific assets created by tools that export the PIX format. This guide explains what PIX files typically contain, how SolidWorks handles them, step-by-step import methods, common problems and solutions, and best practices to preserve geometry, textures, and metadata.

What is a PIX file?

• PIX is a container format used by various graphics and capture tools to store image sequences, textures, or capture metadata. Its exact structure varies by creator (game engines, photogrammetry tools, or proprietary capture systems).
• SolidWorks does not natively support all PIX variants; successful import depends on whether the PIX contains mesh/geometry and if that geometry is in a supported sub-format (for example, OBJ, FBX, or standard image textures packaged inside).

Before you begin — prerequisites and checks

1. SolidWorks version: ensure you’re running SolidWorks 2020 or later for the broadest import/filter support and updated translation tools.
2. Determine what your PIX file contains:
   • If it’s a packaged mesh (OBJ/FBX/etc.), you can extract and import the mesh.
   • If it’s only images/textures, you’ll import those images and apply them to SolidWorks surfaces or use them in decaled appearances.
   • If it includes camera metadata or depth maps, you may need external conversion tools to produce usable geometry.
3. Back up your PIX file and work directory.
4. Install any needed third-party converters or plugins (see tools list below).

Recommended tools (examples):

• 7-Zip or WinRAR — to inspect and extract archive contents.
• Blender or Autodesk FBX Converter — to open or convert nested mesh files.
• MeshLab — to clean and export meshes to formats SolidWorks accepts.
• A text editor — to inspect metadata files (JSON/XML).

Method A — Extract packaged mesh/scene from PIX and import into SolidWorks

This method is best when the PIX contains mesh files such as OBJ, FBX, or glTF.

1. Inspect the PIX file:
   • Right-click the .pix file and open with 7-Zip/WinRAR (or change extension to .zip if needed) to view contents.
   • Look for folders/files named model.obj, model.fbx, scene.gltf, textures/, or similar.
2. Extract the mesh and textures into a dedicated folder.
3. Convert if necessary:
   • If you find FBX or glTF and SolidWorks has trouble importing, open the mesh in Blender and export as OBJ or STEP (STEP may be available via add-on or using CAD conversion tools). For organic meshes, export as OBJ; for mechanical precise geometry, convert to STEP where possible.
   • In Blender: File → Import → (choose FBX/GLTF) → File → Export → Wavefront (.obj) or Collada (.dae).
4. Clean the mesh (recommended):
   • Open the mesh in MeshLab or Blender to remove duplicate vertices, fix normals, decimate if high-poly, and ensure a single watertight mesh if you plan to use SolidWorks features that require solid bodies.
5. Import into SolidWorks:
   • In SolidWorks: File → Open → select the OBJ/STEP/IGES file type → Open.
   • For OBJ: use “Import as Graphics Body” or “Import as Solid Body” depending on mesh quality. If importing as graphics, you’ll be limited to appearances and measuring; converting to a solid may require Surfacing or using ScanTo3D (if available).
6. Apply textures:
   • If textures were included, in SolidWorks open the imported part, go to the Appearances tab, and map the texture images to faces or the whole body. Use “Decal” for image placement where appropriate.

Method B — Convert PIX to CAD-native format externally then bring into SolidWorks

If PIX contains depth maps, point clouds, or camera capture data, convert to a point cloud/mesh, then process into CAD-friendly geometry.

1. Extract contents as in Method A.
2. If you have depth maps or multi-view images:
   • Use photogrammetry software (e.g., Agisoft Metashape, RealityCapture, or open-source OpenMVG/OpenMVS pipeline) to generate a textured mesh (OBJ/PLY).
3. For point clouds (PLY/PCD):
   • Open in CloudCompare or MeshLab, clean and convert to a mesh (Poisson reconstruction or surface reconstruction tools).
4. Simplify and retopologize:
   • High-detail meshes may need retopology or decimation before CAD conversion.
5. Convert to solid (optional):
   • Use tools like Rhino + Grasshopper or Rhino3D’s QuadRemesh + MeshToNURB to convert to NURBS surfaces and export as IGES/STEP for best SolidWorks interoperability.
6. Import into SolidWorks: File → Open → choose STEP/IGES/OBJ and follow import options.

Method C — Use third-party plugins or translators

Several plugins and translator utilities can streamline importing non-native formats into SolidWorks.

• If your PIX source tool offers an official exporter (for example, game engine exporters to FBX/OBJ), use that first.
• Use middleware like Rhino, Blender, or dedicated CAD conversion services to transform assets into STEP/IGES.
• For point clouds and scan data, SolidWorks ScanTo3D or third-party add-ins (Geometric Glovius, Kubotek, etc.) may simplify the workflow.

Common problems and fixes

• Problem: SolidWorks won’t open the extracted OBJ/FBX.
  • Fix: Re-export from Blender as OBJ/STEP; ensure the file has normals and no unsupported features (procedural textures).
• Problem: Imported mesh is only a graphics body (no solid).
  • Fix: Use ScanTo3D or convert mesh to NURBS in Rhino; create surfaces and knit into a solid.
• Problem: Textures don’t map correctly.
  • Fix: Ensure UV maps were preserved during export. Apply Decal or Appearance and adjust mapping coordinates in SolidWorks.
• Problem: File too high-poly (performance issues).
  • Fix: Decimate the mesh in MeshLab/Blender to reduce polygon count while preserving shape.

Tips to preserve quality and workflow efficiency

• Keep the original texture files and UV maps together with the mesh; SolidWorks applies images based on UV coordinates.
• Work iteratively: first import a low-poly version to position/fit, then bring in higher-detail versions only where needed.
• Use naming conventions and folders: textures/, models/, metadata/ to avoid confusion when extracting PIX contents.
• For reverse engineering or manufacturing, aim to convert meshes into CAD-native solids (STEP) for reliable feature-based editing in SolidWorks.

Quick checklist (summary)

• Verify PIX contents (mesh, textures, depth maps).
• Extract files using 7-Zip or similar.
• Convert meshes with Blender/MeshLab if necessary.
• Clean, decimate, and retopologize for performance.
• Convert to STEP/IGES for solid modeling when needed.
• Import into SolidWorks and apply textures/decals.

If you share a sample PIX file or describe what’s inside yours (mesh file types, textures, depth maps), I can give exact commands and a tailored step-by-step conversion/import sequence.