Information about exocad libraries

If you wish to get your exocad libraries checked and signed, please proceed as follows:

Step 1) 

Select one of the following options for the technical integration of your data:

1) Actual geometries, suitable for milling in-house.

  • The data is provided to all registered exocad customers via the exocad download portal.
  • This accessibility is subject to a license agreement that must be entered into with exocad.
  • Free data integration
  • Free use by end customers (no need to activate libraries)

2) “Modified” geometries that can only be used by your own milling center.

  • The data is managed by you and is optionally provided in designated folders via the download portal.
  • You can, although it is not required, enter into a license agreement with exocad.
  • The integration of “support meshes” costs €120 per mesh (all other meshes are integrated free of charge).
  • Free use by end customers (no need to activate libraries)

Important note: For every library you would like to have signed, select one of the two options. It is not possible to combine different options within a single implant library directory.

Step 2)

Send your request to integration@exocad.com, stating your desired option. We will then inform you about the next steps.

Step 3)

Following initial contact and a review of your request, we will send you all the information you need to create DentalCAD and Model Creator libraries.

Step 4)

As soon as you have finished creating your libraries, send the data to integration@exocad.com. Make sure you include an appropriate subject line (manufacturer, library name/type) and compress the data into a .zip folder before sending.

Step 5)

exocad will test and integrate the data, if no modifications are necessary. If any questions arise, you will receive a direct reply to your inquiry ticket with a request to correct the data. Once the integration is successful, you will receive a confirmation email and a link to download the data from our portal.

Important information about submitting library data:

  • Use the latest version of the Implant Library Editor to create your data. This can be downloaded here. An exocad software license is required for its usage. You will be provided with information about how to obtain a license for creating libraries at the beginning of a project.
  • Library updates are based on previously integrated data. When you make an update, exchange only data from the last modified library. Details of this procedure are available under question 19) of our FAQs.
  • Compress your data in a .zip or .rar folder before submitting it.
  • Inform us which module you want to integrate the data into – DentalCAD and Model Creator libraries are structured differently.
  • When using protected copyrights or brand names, it is important to pay attention to the correct use of the symbols indicating existing protection. exocad does not check the correctness of your entries and cannot be held responsible for infringements of trademark rights in this regard.
  • Only data based on real, existing products can be integrated.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs):

  • 1. How long will it take for my libraries to be signed and available on the download portal?

    In general, libraries will be signed within fourteen days of receipt of the final data. If any delays arise, we will inform you in the relevant ticket.

  • 2. After the signature process and publication on the download portal, is my design data (.stl) available to everyone?

    No, the data is converted into a proprietary file format and thereby protected. (The simplified geometries used to match the scan markers remain in .stl file format in order to ensure compatibility with a variety of different scanner software systems.)

  • 3. Is there a wizard for creating libraries?

    Yes, the Implant Library Editor is provided in the secure area on our website to make the creation of libraries as convenient as possible for you. An exocad software license is required for its usage. At the beginning of a project, you will be provided with information about how to obtain a license for creating libraries and for access to the secure area.

  • 4. Can I also send the license agreement for library integration as a PDF file via digital channels?

    No, the license agreement must be sent in duplicate, completely signed by hand (on all pages of the document) to our headquarters in Darmstadt. After it has been reviewed, you will receive a countersigned version for your records. Please make sure that your address is correct and provide us with your return address too. We require the complete contract, not just the signature page.

  • 5. Why is it so important to name folders and files correctly?

    The folders and file paths are referenced in the exocad software and used by downstream software systems (e.g. CAM software) to identify the library. The use of special characters or excessively long character strings can lead to error messages in the software.

  • 6. What is the difference between dummy geometries and real geometries?

    Dummy geometries are data that can only be used for fabrication in milling centers or for the fabrication of which special tools are required. 

    Real geometries are data that can be used by end users for direct production.

  • 7. How do I make the “Library is unsigned” dialog box go away?

    In order to make the 'Library is unsigned' dialog box disappear, it is necessary to have the libraries officially signed by exocad. You will find the steps necessary for doing so on this website.

  • 8. I would like to have an implant library created and integrated. Do I receive a dongle?

    Once you have sent us an integration request and we receive the signed license agreement back from you, we will send you a dongle for creating implant libraries. This dongle will be valid for one year from activation.

  • 9. I would like to have encrypted and signed implant libraries, but not make them available to everybody. What is the proper procedure and how much would this cost?

    You will find the necessary steps for testing libraries with modified connections (“dummy libraries”) on this website.

  • 10. I would like to send you an email; what is the proper procedure?

    Send us a message to integration@exocad.com and include a clear subject line. To ensure that it can be processed as quickly as possible, you should ideally write your email in German or English.

  • 11. Can I also send you information by telephone?

    No: Due to our internal rules on inquiry tracking, communication is only possible via our ticket system.

  • 12. How many triangles is my support mesh allowed to have?

    We recommend 1,000 to 5,000. When the complexity is higher, the mesh can also have up to 10,000 triangles.

  • 13. What is a “rotation lock”?

    This is a rotation protection mechanism between implant interface and implant abutment.

  • 14. What is the “rotation lock count”?

    This is the number of possible insertion positions in the axial direction of the interface.

  • 15. What requirements must my support geometry (DentalCAD library) meet?

    Titanium base:
    Forms the titanium base interface, including a cement gap. A pure surface mesh with two open envelope curves at the emergence profile interface and the screw channel of the titanium base.

    Directly screw-retained:
    Pure surface mesh including interface geometry with two open envelope curves at the emergence profile interface and the screw channel.

    Please also refer to the notes for creating DentalCAD libraries in our instruction manual.

  • 16. How do I install DentalCAD / Model Creator libraries?

    Simply copy the desired library folder into the respective directory:

    For DentalCAD:
    DentalCADApp\library\implant
    For Model Creator:
    DentalCADApp\library\modelcreator\implants

    Please ensure that there is only one folder with the associated data and that the folders are not nested within one another. Here you will find instructions for installing libraries.

  • 17. What are signed exocad libraries?

    A signed library is a library that has been tested by exocad and then signed. On our download portal, the exocad libraries are provided to registered users.

  • 18. What are unsigned exocad libraries?

    An unsigned library is a library that you have created yourself, without exocad being involved in any way. The Implant Library Editor only performs a basic test as to whether the meshes are correct; as such, self-created libraries can contain errors that lead to software malfunctions. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to use unsigned libraries, except for testing purposes. The software will display multiple warning messages if you use an unsigned library.

    Please note: exocad does not accept any bug reports for any datasets that were created using unsigned libraries. Moreover, exocad does not provide support for creating libraries that are not intended to be signed later.

  • 19. What does it mean that library updates should be based on previously integrated data?

    Once a library has been initially added to our system and made available on the download portal, such libraries may be subsequently edited by exocad. This may be because new features are added for upcoming software releases, or because bugs that are brought to our attention by customers need to be eliminated. It is therefore necessary to retrieve the most recent data from our download portal before updating the libraries and then use it to update the data. If you do not comply with this process, your integration will be rejected.

  • 20. What is an “Implant Connection ID”?

    Implant Connection IDs are used to generate compatibilities between implant libraries (exoplan) and DentalCAD libraries. The ID describes the implant system and implant size. Additional setting options are the number of insertion positions and the reference height vis-à-vis the implant.
    You can request a complete list of existing IDs from exocad. If you require a new ID because it is not yet in the list, the ID can be added by the integration team at exocad.

  • 21. Definition Check & Sign process for exocad prosthetic component libraries:

    DentalCAD prosthetic components

    • Check of folder names
    • Check of file names
    • Check of syntax errors in config.xml
    • Check of "Display Information", "Supplier" & "Supplier Link"
    • Basic check of mesh files, we fix smaller errors. In case there are issues with a larger amount of files, we request corrected data from you.
    • We add information for the immediate load workflow, when compatible implant geometries exist in exoplan.
    • Check and fix of the "axis asymmetrical"
    • Check of the "Connection geometry has rotation lock ("engaging")" entry
    • Check of "For usage with titanium base" entry
    • Adding information for the rotation widget. ("Rotation lock count", "Reference rotation offset")
    • Check for unused or missing meshes
    • Check for the correct orientation of the meshes
    • Check for unique keywords
    • Signing of libraries, conversion of files to .sdfa format. Only scan bodies remain in .stl format


    Model Creator components

    • Check of folder names
    • Check of file names
    • Check of syntax errors in config.xml
    • Check of "Display Information", "Supplier" & "Supplier Link"
    • Basic check of mesh files, we fix smaller errors. In case there are issues with a larger amount of files, we request corrected data from you.
    • Check if correct <string> is specified
    • Check or add offset values of the "retention meshes"
    • Checking the normal orientation for "retention meshes"
    • Signing of libraries, conversion of files to .sdfa format

    After finishing library creation, all exoplan libraries are going through an in-depth internal validation and testing process that ends with securing the .stl files and signing the libraries.

    We are prioritizing the creation task process of exoplan libraries based on the market share of the implants as well as if the implant manufacturer is also an exoplan reseller.


    exoplan sleeve/kit reliance on exoplan implant libraries:

    Please note, that the creation of sleeve/kit libraries is a subsequent task to the implant library integration.

    We first have to finish the implant library creation / library updates of your implant libraries and then we are able to handle the libraries for your sleeve and kits.

    This is because we first have to initialize and validate some information in the implant libraries which will be used after that in the sleeve and kits.


    exocad DentalCAD prosthetics reliance on exoplan implant libraries:

    Please note, that the update of your exocad DentalCAD prosthetic libraries for the immediate load feature is a subsequent task to the implant library integration.

    We first have to finish the implant library creation / library updates of your implant libraries and then we are able to update your prosthetic libraries with the compatibilities.

    This is because we first have to initialize and validate some information in the implant libraries which will be used after that in prosthetic libraries.

    To ensure to let us fill in all available compatibilities into your prosthetic libraries, you have to provide in the prosthetic libraries the correct geometry for your ti-base without distorted connection geometry.


    exocad Model Creator prosthetics reliance on DentalCAD prosthetic libraries:

    Please note, that the update of your Model Creator libraries requires correct exocad DentalCAD prosthetic libraries.

    This is because we first have to initialize and validate some information in the exocad DentalCAD prosthetic libraries which will be used after that in the Model Creator libraries.