STEP File – What Is It? – Steps to Use It

This format is commonly used in computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing to contain three-dimensional model data for a wide variety of design tasks. If you plan to use it and learn from it. In this tutorial I will teach you What is the STEP file and how to use it or convert it to another format.

What is a STEP file?

STEP means “Standard for exchanging product data” and is also known as “ISO 10303”. As a common file format used for 3D modeling and printing, these files are an ISO standard interchange format.

This means that the STEP file can read and save the entire body of a 3D model, not just the basic geometries, which is necessary for high levels of accuracy.

Therefore, all of your 3D model data is saved as text that can be interpreted by various CAD systems. STEP files make it easy to create, share, and edit 3D models in many different programs and software in a standardized format. Additionally, these have several different names, including:

• ISO 10303 standard.
• STP file.
• File P21.
• STEP Physical File.

STEP file history

The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has a technical committee on automation and integration systems, also known as “TC 184”.

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This committee first developed the STEP image format in the mid-1980s to facilitate file sharing between different software programs by providing a standardized format (format for working on 3D models and designs).

In 1988, the ISO received the basis for STEP, but it was not until 1994 that the first edition. The second and third editions were published in 2002 and 2016, respectively.

In addition to improving cross-platform compatibility, STEP files contain all the details and body of a 3D model with unparalleled precision. Some older file formats only contained the basic geometries, making sharing, opening, and editing less precise.

How to use a STEP file

STEP files are standard in the world of 3D design, including architecture, manufacturing, and printing, for a few specific reasons, including:

1. Share 3D models

The purpose of STEP files is to make containing 3D data much easier. These file formats are commonly used to review or print 3D models.

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On the other hand, STEP’s ability to contain the entire 3D model rather than just the geometries, plus its ability to work with different CAD systems, makes sharing simple.

2. Editing 3D models

A STEP file saves all 3D components as one and can be used to make design edits. Most CAD programs read and edit STEP files, improving cross-platform design and collaboration.

So, this is a big advantage that STEP files have over STL files, which are also common in 3D printing.

Pros and cons of STEP files

Before you start using this file format, there are several advantages and disadvantages of the STEP file that you should consider.

Advantages of AI files

• STEPs are compatible with CAD tools and software, making them easy to share and edit.
• STEPs are precise and use a mathematical representation of curves known as NURBS to with precision. They can also read and save full 3D models.
• You can customize a STEP file. It’s easy to share with others for editing or save to another computer as a backup option.

Disadvantages of STEP files

• For architectural design purposes, STEP files do not contain the material or texture data necessary to be identifiable by CAD software.
• There is no lighting or camera information stored in a STEP. With FBX and USDZ files, you can represent camera and lighting setups.
• The STEP format is complex, similar to a software programming language. This means that it can take a lot of time and work to create a STEP file.

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How to open a STEP file

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There are several software and CAD programs that you can use to import and open a STEP file. Below you will see how.

• . Find the STEP file on your computer or device.
• Step 2. Double-click or right-click and select “File > Open”. Your file will open with the associated STEP reader software already installed, such as “Adobe Acrobat”.

If STEP does not open, you may need to first install or open the corresponding CAD or STEP file reader software. After installation, simply go to “File > Open” and select the file you want to open.

Additionally, you can STEP both in “Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Extended” like in “Adobe 3D Reviewer”.

How to create and edit a STEP file.

To create and save a STEP file, :

• Step 1. Create a new file using your CAD program or the software of your choice.
• Step 2. Edit your file.
• Step 3. When saving, select from the File menu “save as”.
• Step 4. Use the file extension “.step” either “.stp” depending on the available options.

To edit a “STEP”, use Adobe Acrobat:

• Step 1. Open Adobe Acrobat and its STEP file.
• Step 2. Click on the tool “Edit” in the right panel.
• Step 3. Use the editing tools to make the desired changes.
• Step 4. Save your file.

What are the best uses of STEP files?

STEP files are intended for creating, editing and sharing 3D model designs in various CAD programs. Are a standardized file formatwhich makes sharing designs much easier.

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Although most commonly used in architecture, mechanical design, and manufacturing, anyone in any industry can create a STEP file.

Programs that open STEP files

• Autodesk Fusion 360.
• Dassault System is SolidWorks.
• IMSI Turbo CAD Pro.
• STP idea viewer.
• Dassault Systemes CATIA.
• Siemens solid edge.
• Cascade DMU Open Reviewer.
• LKSoft IDA-STEP.
• Free CAD.
• CADSoftTools
• Kubotek Key Maker.
• Okino PolyTrans computer graphics.
• IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe.
• Dassault Systemes CATIA.
• LKSoft IDA-STEP.
• eMachine Shop Free online STEP file viewer.
• Wikifactory.
• Share CAD.org.

How to convert STEP files

File conversion is nothing more than changing a file that has been created in one program (STEP file) to a format understandable by another program (that is, to the DWG format). There are many websites that offer the conversion of STEP files to DWG. “On-line” without the need to download a special program to your computer.

However, if you have not found a suitable STEP file converter on the networkyou can use any of the list of programs that can convert STEP file to DWG below.

• Auto CAD.
• I create Parametric.
• Turbo CAD.
• CATIA
• CAD for MacAuto.
• Turbo CAD for .

Steps to convert STEP

If you have already downloaded and installed one of the converters mentioned above or one of your choice on your computer, you can start the conversion process from STEP to DWG. The handling of all programs is normally very intuitive and is based on the same procedural scheme.

Briefly, some steps that must always be performed changing the STEP file format:

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1. The STEP source file whose format we are going to change must be indicated on the computer.
2. STEP in the application.
3. Select the output format of the DWG file (the one we want to achieve).
4. Select the location to save the DWG output file on the hard drive (place where the program will save the converted file).
5. Confirm the conversion.
6. Wait a moment depending on the selected output size.
7. Enjoy the converted DWG file that we will find in the location selected in step 4.

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