FAQ: Microvellum BSB Import/Exports and File Formats

Not entirely. Microvellum BSB does not support all the same import/export formats as OEM by default. On the other hand there are additional formats that Brics supports such as Sketchup. However, Bricsys offers an optional add-on called Communicator for BricsCAD, which extends file interoperability to include formats like STEP, IGES, and other 3D file types, bringing it closer to existing capabilities. Documentation outlining the differences between Toolbox OEM’s import/export capability compared to Microvellum BSB (BricsCAD) will be made available on the Microvellum Community Knowledge Base.

Currently, the Communicator add-on is not supported for use with Toolbox BSB, but compatibility is planned for a future release. Many of these other applications also allow export in a .dwg format which can be opened in Brics.

BricsCAD receives multiple updates throughout the year, including performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features. So far, in 2025, there have been 7 releases of BricsCAD. These updates do not impact the stability of Microvellum software—supported versions are thoroughly tested to ensure reliable, consistent performance with each release.

Not right away. Since Toolbox is bundled with BricsCAD, we take a little extra time to test updates we receive and make sure everything works smoothly together. That means you might see a slight delay between when Bricsys releases an update and when it’s available through Toolbox BSB, but it’s all about making sure you have a stable, reliable experience.

Yes, BricsCAD supports the VIEWBASE command and offers the same model documentation capabilities as you’re used to. The primary differences are in the interface, context menus, prompts, and UI behaviors may vary slightly. However, the core functionality for creating base views, projected views, sections, and details from 3D models is present. Users may need to adapt their workflow slightly to accommodate these UI differences, but BricsCAD fully supports the same detailing tools.

Yes, BricsCAD offers similar view and shading styles to existing styles and options, including 2D wireframe, 3D wireframe, hidden, shaded, shaded with edges, realistic, and X-ray. These visual styles make it easy to view and interact with your models during drafting and design. While the presentation and rendering quality may differ slightly, the overall viewing experience is very familiar, allowing users to navigate and visualize their work in BricsCAD much like they currently do. Users have reported better performance with some of these additional visual styles as well.

Yes, DWG files are fully compatible with BricsCAD, and vice versa. Both platforms use the same native DWG file format, which means you can open, edit, and save drawings between them without conversion or loss of data. This ensures seamless collaboration and easy file sharing, regardless of whether a project was started in other CAD software or BricsCAD.

Microvellum’s QA team actively tests compatibility with BricsCAD regularly, especially during software updates and version releases. While the exact frequency may vary, testing is conducted as part of ongoing development cycles to ensure stability, performance, and full functionality of Toolbox AC and Toolbox BSB platforms. This continuous validation helps ensure that Toolbox works reliably in the BricsCAD environment.