What is your go-to-software for converting CAD data?

[Art48]

What is the current de facto standard for converting CAD data? Like slprt to STEP, Inventor stuff, etc. I stumpled upon a program called "CrossManager" for 1000 bucks - is it any good?

[samuel_bubat]

Max2017 can import CAD software specific files like slprt directly. Why do you need to convert them ?

[Art48]

I got 2016 here and while it was in the list of importable formats I had three different cases where the files where simply empty. I don't know if this is a max issue and I don't really care. I just wanna know if there is and if so, what the current "standard" software is called for importing and exporting different formats (also c4d maybe etc)

[ior=0]

nPower Translators is what I always used to use, before it was incorporated into MAX as the bodyobject - STEP importer. I believe this was available in 2016 too. STP, STEP is by far the best format to import from and all CAD s/w will export that. You will occasionally get flipped or missing faces or odd artefacts (lofted chamfers).
If you are a startup, hobbyist, or enthusiast you can get a free 1-year startup license (renewable) for Fusion360 - which is A. a powerful CAD and freeform modeler, B. handy for fixing, exporting clients CAD files that break in MAX. (caveat emptor - it is Autodesk so they might ask for you soul in the small print)

[samuel_bubat]

The pro Version of Power Translator can import native Solid works files. But I'm not sure if this specifically means slprt. One big problem with native CAD files. They often do not consist of a single file but a whole structure. For example with ProE files you get .ASM and .prt files. The asm describes where a part or a single object is placed while the prt file contains the geometry. I once had prt files to import and it ended up with all objects scattered around. Now that you are trying to import slprt files I could imagine it's the same, as .slasm files exist as well. It's never a good idea to import native CAD software files. Go and request a STEP file instead.