STEP files

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Sharas
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STEP files

Post by Sharas »

Hey forum,

hope you all had a great holiday season!

I have a client requesting a 3D model in STEP file. Can anyone give me some guidance on what is is and how can I create it with Autocad/Microstation or Cyclone?

Thanks,
Sarunas
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Re: STEP files

Post by Jamesrye »

Hi Sarunas,

STEP file format is pretty old, like shapefiles in Arcmap. I had a project a couple of years ago where the client wanted STEP files.

Don't think you can easily export to STEP using the programs that you listed. However, RHINO 3D can export data to STEP files and I think there is a 30 day free trial available.

Here's the Wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_10303-21

James
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Re: STEP files

Post by pburrows145 »

Quick question to all those out there reading this post:

What is your most important file format in/out of Cyclone which is not currently available?

Thanks for your input.
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Re: STEP files

Post by uberto »

Rhino is the right way...in the demo mode you can "save as" 25 times. Open the dwg and save as step....have often used this to create step files for several clients.
Uwe
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Re: STEP files

Post by Jamesrye »

What is your most important file format in/out of Cyclone which is not currently available?
It would be great if we could export to RCS / RCP for REVIT. It takes ages to export and then import huge data sets.

What I'd love Cyclone to be able to do would be to batch export scans, I have some clients that want PTS format for archival purposes. Some specify that they want each scan exported. A real trauma when you've hundreds of scans. On previous projects, we used to use a file splitter program after export, but these days with the P40, the file sizes are too great.

James
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Re: STEP files

Post by max72 »

I Agree Rhino it your best solution.
If you have a mesh you can convert the mesh to nurbs and export as step (meshes cannot be converted to step).
Mind if the mesh size is too big you will risk to run out fo resources.
The step file will probably be HUGE

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Re: STEP files

Post by SAttaya »

you might want to look here for more info on STEP - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_10303

Also which Application Protocol (AP) can they read.
Some of the AP's are proper supersets of others (like AP242)
and sometimes the subset (AP242) is then extended.

I think use of STEP is mandated by US NAVY for ship development.
I know Inventor puts out STEP.

came across this when googling [step cad]
FreeCAD: An open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler
http://www.freecadweb.org/
FreeCAD is multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), and reads and writes many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and ...
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Re: STEP files

Post by pburrows145 »

Jamesrye wrote:
What is your most important file format in/out of Cyclone which is not currently available?
It would be great if we could export to RCS / RCP for REVIT. It takes ages to export and then import huge data sets.

What I'd love Cyclone to be able to do would be to batch export scans, I have some clients that want PTS format for archival purposes. Some specify that they want each scan exported. A real trauma when you've hundreds of scans. On previous projects, we used to use a file splitter program after export, but these days with the P40, the file sizes are too great.

James
Thanks James. Duly noted! :)
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Re: STEP files

Post by Sharas »

Thanks everyone!
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