Documentation

see menu File/Input/output formats/File transfer/documentation/Step export(3D)...

STEP = STandard for the Exchange of Product model data
AP = Application Protocols
An AP covers a particular application and industry domain:

• AP 203 Configuration Controlled Design
• AP 210 Electronic Printed Circuit Assembly, Design and Manufacturing
• AP 214 Core Data for Automotive Mechanical Design Processes

Only some APs are implemented in your 3D program. AP 203 is a basic AP that is supported by your system. You will notice only one difference in the data:

• STEP AP 203: single-colored
• STEP AP 210: four-colored

Output PCB outline with exact coordinates: The normal algorithm to calculate the surfaces of an 3D object shows an accuracy of some µm. The outline of the PCB is optionally calculated by a more accurate algorithm.

Some 3D programs offer only a rudimentary STEP import. Some STEP surfaces e.g. CYLINDRICAL_SURFACE are not implemented or inaccurate. These surfaces can be approximated by a polyhedron; i.e. made up of only PLANEs.

It takes some minutes to load a STEP file! This load time increases if some polyeder approximations are applied. A 3D viewer does the import much faster than a 3D-CAD program! Currently implemented STEP elements: CARTESIAN_POINT, VERTEX_POINT, LINE, CIRCLE, PLANE, CYLINDRICAL_SURFACE, TOROIDAL_SURFACE, SPHERICAL_SURFACE, DIRECTION, VECTOR, AXIS2_PLACEMENT_3D, ADVANCED_FACE, FACE_BOUND, FACE_OUTER_BOUND, ORIENTED_EDGE, EDGE_CURVE, EDGE_LOOP, CLOSED_SHELL, MANIFOLD_SOLID_BREP, STYLED_ITEM, MECHANICAL_DESIGN_GEOMETRIC_PRESENTATION_REPRESENTATION

Switch off all options to reduce load time in Solid Edge: