# Ability to view .prt files in ParaView

**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ability-to-view-prt-files-in-paraview/11758
**Category:** ParaView Support
**Created:** [March 29, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ability-to-view-prt-files-in-paraview/11758 "2023-03-29T14:46:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Krzysztof\_Stopka](https://discourse.paraview.org/user_avatar/discourse.paraview.org/krzysztof_stopka/32/7828_2.png) [@Krzysztof\_Stopka](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Krzysztof_Stopka)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ability-to-view-prt-files-in-paraview/11758/1 "2023-03-29T14:46:31Z")

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Hello,

Can Paraview visualize .prt files as would be exported from CAD programs such as SolidWorks or NX? I realize there are many different readers available when I initially open a .prt file in ParaView but none appear to work. Thank you in advance.

Best regards,  
Kris

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### Author: ![mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/user_avatar/discourse.paraview.org/mwestphal/32/17_2.png) [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ability-to-view-prt-files-in-paraview/11758/2 "2023-03-29T15:02:48Z")

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> [@Krzysztof\_Stopka](#):
>
> many different readers available when I initially open a .prt

There is not .prt reader in ParaView.

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### Author: ![Krzysztof\_Stopka](https://discourse.paraview.org/user_avatar/discourse.paraview.org/krzysztof_stopka/32/7828_2.png) [@Krzysztof\_Stopka](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Krzysztof_Stopka)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ability-to-view-prt-files-in-paraview/11758/3 "2023-03-29T15:03:58Z")

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Thank you for the quick response! Can I ask if you have any recommendations for open-source programs that could visualize .prt files, preferably ones that are open-source?

Best regards,  
Kris

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### Author: ![FEngineer](https://discourse.paraview.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/5f8ce5/32.png) [@FEngineer](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/FEngineer)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ability-to-view-prt-files-in-paraview/11758/4 "2023-03-29T16:45:57Z")

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ParaView is meant for postprocessing of engineering simulations (mainly FEA and CFD). If you just want to open CAD models, it will be better to use a different app. I would recommend FreeCAD but you will have to convert the files to universal format (STEP is the bets one).

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### Author: ![Krzysztof\_Stopka](https://discourse.paraview.org/user_avatar/discourse.paraview.org/krzysztof_stopka/32/7828_2.png) [@Krzysztof\_Stopka](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Krzysztof_Stopka)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ability-to-view-prt-files-in-paraview/11758/5 "2023-03-29T18:07:08Z")

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That makes sense. I assumed .prt files could be visualized since ParaView can handle formats such as .stl. Thank you for your recommendation!

Best regards,  
Kris