Data Transfer

Typical File Formats

PADT can accept many data file formats. The following is a list of the typical formats that we use. If you have a format that you don't see here, please contact us. We usually can find a way to get there from here.

• Microsoft Office 2003 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Adobe Acrobat (PDF)
• ANSYS v5.4 and newer
• DesignSpace v4 and newer
• DXF, IGES, STEP, Parasolids, and ACIS
• Pro/Engineer v20 and newer
• SoldWorks
• Solid Edge and EMS
• Most image formats (GIF, JPG, TIFF, BMP, etc.)
• Postscript and encapsulated Postscript

File Compression

Before you send us a file, please compress it! If you have multiple files, it is usually helpful if you archive them together into a single file. We support the following compression and archive methods:

• WinZip or PKZIP (*.zip)
• GnuZip (*.gz)
• UNIX Compress (*.Z)
• UNIX tar (*.tar)
• WinRAR (*.rar)

Mail and File Encryption

If you have sensitive material that you want to send to us through the Internet, you can use encryption.  The encryption schemes that PADT supports are listed below. To obtain our public key, please contact us.

• PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
• Entrust

Sending Your Data

Once you have your data bundled, compressed, and/or encrypted, there are several ways to transmit it to PADT:

1. E-mail: Files may be sent via e-mail, either directly to an employee’s address or to one of the general e-mail addresses (see our Contact page). This method is most effective for files under 2 MB in size. Files larger than this will often encounter size restrictions on the sending mail server. Depending on the mail server your company uses, it may be possible to send us files up to 5 MB in size. For files larger than this, you should consider transmitting them using the FTP method listed in the next section.
2. FTP to PADT: Files may be uploaded to PADT’s FTP site. This is the most effective method for large file transfers (>5 MB).

(recently updated FTP instructions - below)

DOS Instructions: Click Here Internet Explorer Instructions: Click Here

FTP from PADT: Files can be posted to your own FTP site, where PADT can then download it. Please contact us with the address and file location, as well as any username/password assignments or other required information.

Removable Media: Data may be sent to PADT on removable media via the postal service or other courier service. Examples of removable media that we can read include floppy disks, CD-R or CD-RW discs, Iomega Zip disks (100 MB format only), or DLT-IV tapes. Please see our Contact page for our shipping address.