File Formats

Updated v2.5.9

At a glance

One .jc3 project file holds everything — parts, sketches, feature history, sheets, toolpaths, and settings
Every save writes one complete, self-contained file — no stray companion files, ever
Machine profiles (.jcm), post processors (.jcpst), shapes (.jshape), and themes (.jc3_theme) each travel as their own file
Imports 2D artwork (DXF, SVG, SheetCam jobs) and 3D models (STEP, IGES, BREP, STL, OBJ, glTF)
Exports 2D (DXF, SVG), 3D (STEP, IGES, BREP, STL, OBJ, PLY, glTF, VRML, 3MF), and posted G-code
Every external DXF import confirms source units and live size; every DXF export declares matching units

A JetCad3 project is a single .jc3 file that holds everything — your parts, sketches, feature history, nested sheets, toolpaths, and workspace settings — in one place. One file to back up, one file to email, one file to drop on another machine. Large data inside is compressed automatically, including original scans, mesh data and attachments. From v2.5.9, lossless Zstandard compression keeps all scan detail, geometry precision and editable features. Older projects still open and migrate when you successfully save; simply opening a file leaves it unchanged. That first save can take longer while existing data is compressed; later saves reuse compressed scan data. After saving in the new format, use v2.5.9 or newer to open it on another machine.

Saves are atomic and self-contained: each save writes one complete file, so it either fully lands or leaves your previous file untouched, and nothing else ever appears next to it. Older versions could leave stray temporary files beside projects and machine profiles (especially after a crash) — if a legacy project still has a recovery companion, JetCad3 reads its committed data and folds it into the standalone file on a successful save. A failed save preserves that recovery data.

If a document stops unexpectedly

The document tab shows Open recovery and the last available recovery time. Choose it to restore that exact recovery directly; JetCad3 keeps the preserved recovery until the replacement document is safely open. Changes made after the shown time may be missing. Other document tabs remain available, and agent connections stop accepting work on the failed tab until it is ready again.

JetCad3's own files

Everything JetCad3 creates is a single portable file you can back up, email, or move to another machine.

.jc3 — Project. Your whole project: parts, sketches, feature history, nested sheets, toolpaths, and settings. Every workspace.
.jcm — Machine profile. One file per machine: axes and travel, kinematics, work offsets, cut charts, cutting profiles, rules, and G-code subroutines. Plasma, Laser, Router, GcodePilot.
.jcpst — Post processor. An editable script that formats G-code for your specific controller; it runs sandboxed, with no file or network access, so a downloaded post can only ever format G-code. Plasma, Laser, Router.
.jshape — Shape script. A parametric shape you can edit and re-run with your own dimensions. Shape Generator (drops geometry into Drafting, Design, and the cutting workspaces).
.jc3_theme — Theme. A custom color theme you can share between machines. App-wide — see Themes.

Bringing files in

Import from File → Import, or just drag a file onto the viewport.

2D artwork

DXF — 2D CAD drawing. Lines, arcs, circles, polylines, splines, and ellipses; follows layers and block inserts, and keeps arcs as true arcs rather than flattening them, so CAM leads and kerf land on real geometry. Every import confirms the Inch/MM toggle and shows the interpreted Width × Height before adding geometry; centimeter and meter declarations convert automatically through MM. Large multi-file confirmations use compact rows and a scrollable list while Cancel and Import remain pinned in view. Plasma / Oxyfuel / Laser / Router (part import), Drafting & Design (sketch import).
SVG — vector artwork. Paths and shapes from illustration tools. Drafting & Design (sketch import).
SheetCam .job — a nested cutting job. Brings an existing SheetCam layout in so a job library isn't stranded. Plasma, Laser, Router.

3D models

STEP (.step / .stp) — exact solid, the cross-CAD standard. Comes in at true size with exact geometry. Drafting.
IGES (.igs / .iges) — legacy exact CAD. Older surfaces and solids from other packages. Drafting.
BREP — exact solid. A lossless JetCad3-to-JetCad3 hand-off. Drafting.
STL / OBJ / glTF (.glb) — mesh models. Scanned parts, downloaded brackets, or 3D-print models, brought in as mesh bodies. Drafting.

Sending files out

DXF / SVG. Sheets and sketches export back out with coordinates scaled to your preferred units. Design, Drafting, and cutting-sheet DXFs include a matching $INSUNITS declaration; explicit automation export-unit requests are honored and declared too. Plasma / Oxyfuel / Laser / Router (sheet layout), Drafting (sketch/layer/bulk), Design (contours).

3D — exact

STEP / IGES / BREP. Exact solid models for machining or handing off to other CAD. Drafting.

3D — mesh

STL / OBJ / PLY / glTF (.glb) / VRML / 3MF. Tessellated mesh for 3D printing, rendering, web viewers, and scan/point-cloud workflows. Drafting.

To the machine

G-code. Posted toolpath programs as plain text any controller or editor can read. The file extension comes from the post processor, and the machine dialog can override it per machine. Plasma, Laser, Router (via GcodePilot).

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