STEP (.stp; .step) import/export

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) is an ISO standard exchange format used for representing three-dimensional data in a format that can be recognized by multiple programs.

Import

To open, import, insert, and attach a file as a worksession

  1. From the File menu, click Open, Insert, Import, or Worksession > Attach.

  2. In the dialog box, select a supported file type.
  3. Click Open and configure the settings.
    When you open a non-3dm file and save the model, its filename will be the default 3dm filename.

STP Import Options

Note

  • Importing a .step file in a format that supports units and tolerances does not adjust the units and tolerances in Rhino. A dialog box will warn you if the units do not match.
  • When reading .step files where not all objects have the same unit system, all units are converted to match the Rhino file unit system, and objects are scaled appropriately.
  • The tolerance assigned to each object is used to import objects. When opening a .step file, the largest tolerance becomes the document tolerance.
  • The unit system and distance tolerance will be reported in command history when a .step file is opened.
  • Per-face colors are supported.
Join surfaces

Joins surfaces with shared edges.

Do not join polysurfaces with more than ___ faces

Restricts the number of faces allowed in the resulting polysurface.

Skip invisible geometry

Do not import the objects in an "INVISIBILITY" entity.

Display nested block warning

If nested blocks occur, display a warning dialog box.

Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

Export

To save as or export a Rhino model

  1. On the File menu, click Export Selected or Save As.
  2. In the dialog box, the Files of type list displays the currently supported file types for export.
  3. In the Files of type box, select the supported file type.
  4. In the File name box, select or type a file name.
  5. Specify what is to be saved.
    6. Options

    Save small

    Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

    Save geometry only

    Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved. This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

    Save textures

    Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.
    Save plugin data Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.
  6. If the export can be configured, click the Options button to specify export settings.
  7. Mesh file types export NURBS surfaces as meshes either with the specified meshing options, or the document render mesh settings.

STP Export Options

Note

  • SubD objects are exported as polysurfaces.
  • Per-face colors are supported.
STEP schema

Your company standards determine which STEP schema you should use. If you have no standard, choose the default. The STEP schema number makes no difference to the data exported.

AP203ConfigControlDesign
AP214AutomotiveDesign
AP214AutomotiveDesignCC2
AP242
Export parameter space curves

Some (not most, and not Rhino) importing applications can make use of the 2-D trimming curves to get a more accurate and faster import. The size of the step file will be larger.

Let importing application set color for black objects

If a Rhino object has color black, no color is assigned to the object in the step file. This will cause the importing application to give the object its default color. This is desirable because black objects look like ink blots in some applications. This option is grayed out if the schema option is AP203ControConfigDesign since that schema does not include color entities.

Split closed surfaces

Splits closed surfaces, for example, the interior surfaces of drilled holes.

Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

Related command

STEPTree

Toolbar Menu

Not on toolbars.

Not on menus.

The STEPTree command browses the structure of a STEP file.

Steps

  • Select a STEP file.

    The dialog and the command history display the unit and tolerance used by the STEP file.

See also

Wikipedia: ISO 10303

StepUnitsAndTolerance

Toolbar

Menu

Not on toolbars.

Not on menus.

The StepUnitsAndTolerance command prompts to select a STEP file and reports its unit and tolerance.

Steps

  • Select a STEP file.

    The unit and tolerance used by the STEP file display in a message box and the command history.

See also

STEP import and export options