STandard for the Exchange of Product model data (STEP)

Available for: Import and Export
File format: Text
File extension: *.step, *.stp
Versions supported:
     Import:      AP203 - ISO10303, AP214
     Export:      AP203 - ISO10303, AP214
Supported data: 3-dimensional (solid) parts and assemblies. For AP214, only the body geometry and topology information is imported. The remaining AP214 information in the STEP file is discarded.

 
General Notes:
  • STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product model data) is a set of standards for complete product data definition and exchange. STEP is an evolving standard which will cover the whole Product Life Cycle in terms of data sharing, storage and exchange. STEP will replace current CAE exchange standards like IGES, DXF, SET and VDAFS, as well as allow for complete descriptions in electronic form of all data related to Manufacturable Products.

     
  • The information generated about a product during its design, manufacture, use, maintenance, and disposal is used for many purposes during that life cycle. The use may involve many computer systems, including some that may be located in different organizations. In order to support such uses, organizations need to be able to represent their product information in a common computer-interpretable form that is required to remain complete and consistent when exchanged among different computer systems. ISO 10303 is an International Standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product data. The objective is to provide a mechanism that is capable of describing product data throughout the life cycle of a product, independent from any particular system. The nature of this description makes it suitable not only for neutral file exchange, but also as a basis for implementing and sharing product databases and archiving.

 
SolidWorks Specific Notes:
  • STEP AP203 - SolidWorks supports AP203/Configuration Control Design (best choice for America’s customers). AP203 began as a joint industry/government sponsored project to develop an interface to exchange pre-assembly data between systems used by Boeing (Catia) and its suppliers: GE Aircraft Engines (Unigraphics), Pratt & Whitney (Unigraphics) and Rolls-Royce (Computervision). The individual parts of the STEP standard are referred to as Application Protocols (APs). Each AP is built upon common resources known as Parts. For STEP AP203 entity definitions, click here.

     
  • STEP AP203 Configuration Control Design - AP203 is concerned solely with the design phase of the product life cycle. Only the designs of mechanical parts and assemblies may be exchanged using the specification. There are several Parts that make up AP203 of which SolidWorks supports mainly, Part 42 (Geometry and Topology) and Part 44 (Assemblies). There are six conformance classes (CCs) within AP203 of which SolidWorks has basic support for CC1, CC2, CC4, CC5, CC6. Conformance Class 3 is not currently supported by the industry.

 
Common STEP Questions & Answers:
  • Question: Can we exchange STEP files with Catia?
    Answer: Yes. One primary goal of the AP203 project was to exchange data with Catia. Support of entity types within a conformance class was based upon examples created with Catia.
     
     
  • Question: Do we meet the entire standard for AP203?
    Answer: No. We support manifold B-REP data - solids. We do not support wirframe, surface and faceted boundary representations
     
     
  • Question: Can I write an assembly to a STEP file?
    Answer: Yes. We write the current configuration of an assembly and each of its parts to a .step file. Although AP203 will support multiple part instances, we only support reading of part instances. We will write instances in the near future.
     
     
  • Question: Should I use IGES or STEP for exporting my data?
    Answer: The STEP standard is more robust than the IGES standard and should be the translator of choice when trying to exchange data between CAD/CAM/CAE systems.