Rather, it needs to be processed by a software algorithm that converts the mathematical surface representation into a series of triangles. NURBS, the mathematical surface representation used by STEP 3D files, cannot be directly rendered using a GPU, nor can it be loaded by most renderers. This means that you can not represent camera or lighting setups in CAD files, whereas you can in FBX and USDZ files. Again, this is because when the STEP file format was designed in the mid-1990s, CAD software tools focused solely on representing and transferring the shape of the objects being designed. No Lighting or Camerasīy the same reasoning that STEP does not contain material and texture data, it also contains neither lighting nor camera information. Thus, when using STEP to transfer data between CAD tools these rich material and texture assignments are lost. This material data is unfortunately not supported by the STEP format. In a mechanical CAD design, the CAD tool may allow you to specify surfaces as rubber, brass, steel, or a colored plastic. For example, in an architectural design, the CAD tool may allow you to specify different surfaces to be concrete, painted, or stonework. In the last decade, CAD software tools have invested a significant amount of effort to support material on the CAD designed objects. This is partly because of its historical roots back in the mid-1990s when CAD systems were simpler.
The STEP file format is focused on the transfer of shape and form and not on visual appearance. The NURBS representation is used by CAD files because it allows for the final manufactured creations to have perfectly smooth curves, like nicely rounded iPhone cases or beautiful sweeps on car bodies. This level of precision can not be achieved using the polygon and triangle representations utilized by visualization-oriented OBJ, FBX, glTF and USDZ. The NURBs curve specification is capable of storing data with exact precision. The STEP 3D file format stores its data using a mathematical representation of curves referred to as NURBS. Mathematically Perfect Surface Definition Therefore, if your goal to achieve wide interoperability with a large variety of CAD systems, this is by far the best format to use. In addition, no CAD tool that we know of has significant usage that does not support the STEP file format.
#STP FILE AUTOCAD PROFESSIONAL#
No other CAD format has such wide adoption among professional CAD tools as STEP.
#STP FILE AUTOCAD ISO#
It was standardized by ISO committee in 1994 under the official name “ISO 10303-21.” Being a standard makes it easier for the various CAD software tools to implement support for it. Common CAD software tools that support STEP files include AutoCAD, Fusion, SolidWorks, OnShape, PTC Creo, CATIA and ArchiCAD.Ī major reason for its popularity as a data exchange format is that it is an official international standard (STEP stands for Standard for the Exchange of Product Data). It is primarily used to transfer real-world mechanical and architecture designs between different CAD software tools. stp) is a data exchange format applied in the computer aided design (CAD) industry. In this article, we'll discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the STEP file format so you can decide if it's right for the task at hand.īen Houston's Ultimate Guide to 3D File Formats
Should you use the STEP/STP 3D file format? As is the case with all 3D file formats, it depends on what you're trying to do. Industries & Integrations Open the submenu.
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