Generating an URDF File

Goal: Learn how to Export and URDF File

Tutorial level: Intermediate

Time: 5 minutes

Most roboticists work in teams, and often those teams include a mechanical engineer who develops a CAD model of robot. Instead of crafting an URDF by hand it is possible to export an URDF model from many different CAD and modeling programs. These export tools are often developed by individuals that are familiar with the particular CAD program they use. Below you will find a list of available URDF exporters for a variety of CAD and 3D modeling software systems. The ROS core maintainers do not maintain these packages. As such we make no claims about their performance or ease of use. However, we figured it would be helpful to produce a list of available URDF exporters.

CAD Exporters

• Blender URDF Exporter

• CREO Parametric URDF Exporter

• FreeCAD ROS Workbench

• FreeCAD CAD & ROS Open-Source Synergy (CROSS)

• Freecad to Gazebo Exporter

• Fusion 360 URDF Exporter

• OnShape URDF Exporter

• SolidWorks URDF Exporter

• ExportURDF Library (Fusion360, OnShape, Solidworks)

• RoboForge Project (freemium / paid tooling)

Other URDF Export and Conversion Tools

• Gazebo SDFormat to URDF Parser

• SDF to URDF Converter in Python

• URDF to Webots Simulator Format

• The Blender Robotics Tools respository includes a number of useful tools, including a tool to export URDF files from Blender.

• CoppeliaSim URDF Exporter

• Isaac Sim URDF Exporter

Viewing URDF & SDF Files

• Examples of Common URDF Launch Files

• Web Viewer for URDF Files

• View SDF Models in RViz

• Jupyterlab URDF Viewer

If you have an URDF tool you like please consider adding it to the list above!