# Runtime import of CAD files - Datasmith

**URL:** <https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/runtime-import-of-cad-files-datasmith/464134>\
**Category:** Pipeline & Plugins\
**Tags:** Datasmith, unreal-engine, CAD, UE4, question\
**Created:** [April 23, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/runtime-import-of-cad-files-datasmith/464134 "2020-04-23T16:17:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lSl\_rackage](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@lSl\_rackage](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/lSl_rackage)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/runtime-import-of-cad-files-datasmith/464134/1 "2020-04-23T16:17:45Z")

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Hello Everyone,

Disclaimer: I am a software developer with no experience in Unreal Engine/Any other 3D engines (I do have experience with C++/Python etc.). So please, be patient. I’m a newbie 🙂

I am evaluating different 3D engines for a project similar to a house/car configurator in which I would like to import a CAD model at runtime and visualize/edit it in a 3D environment (UE).

To my knowledge, Datasmith allows the loading of CAD files with several formats. My question is whether I can use Datasmith or alternatives for a _runtime_ importing of such files, in order to arrange them in a scene.

Thank you