# How to merge files

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [March 27, 2025, 8:20am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265 "2025-03-27T08:20:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Anthony-kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Anthony-kim](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Anthony-kim)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 8:20am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/1 "2025-03-27T08:20:15Z")

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I want to put some of the work of a-file into b-file. For example, if a-file is an interior work file, I want to know how to import the sofa in it into b-file. I don’t know how to copy and import the object from iPad and Windows PC.

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**Author:** ![TheBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/2 "2025-03-27T15:59:35Z")

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Export one project as an X\_T file and then import that into the other project.

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**Author:** ![GroMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@GroMark](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/GroMark)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/3 "2025-03-27T16:01:22Z")

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Or, export it as .shapr, if you want every bit of data in your b file

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**Author:** ![TheBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/4 "2025-03-27T16:11:34Z")

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I wasn’t sure if a .shapr file could be imported into an existing project. I just tried it and not only does it work, it maintains parametric history of both projects, concatenating the imported file’s history to the project’s history. That’s definitely the way to go if you want to maintain history and/or sketches.

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**Author:** ![jean-philippe2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jean-philippe2/32/27353_2.png) [@jean-philippe2](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jean-philippe2)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/5 "2025-03-27T17:41:47Z")

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Hi,  
I use this process because I have not found better.  
You can create a template library where each file contains a separate object.  
bolt\_diam12.shapr  
studio\_ photo.shapr  
knurl\_pattern.shapr  
etc…

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**Author:** ![arroniow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/arroniow/32/30268_2.png) [@arroniow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/arroniow)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 10:17am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/6 "2025-03-28T10:17:21Z")

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I am with Jean on this, I too create parts/components as a library.  
Then import them into on going projects as you need.  
This is simply good CAD practice.

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**Author:** ![TheBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 9:21pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/7 "2025-03-28T21:21:05Z")

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Same here. For example, I have a template project for Gridfinity models.

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**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/8 "2025-03-29T00:34:44Z")

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Gridfinity? I have my own version.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/a/a/aa59770c407e699fa1607382a28d0f98fba55410.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-merge-files/37265/9 "2025-03-29T03:06:50Z")

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I saw the Gridfinity video. Interesting to say the least. He who has the most toys or tools wins. (Might be a tie with Adam Savage).