STEP import/export

[andy c 0]

Please add import and export of STEP file format for 3D solids. This is a robust standard, much better than IGES. This would be useful for sharing with other more comprehensive MCAD programs (Pro/E, UG, Solidworks, etc) as well as for CAM (moldmaking, etc).

[P Retondo 106]

Andy, do you have any references that substantiate the comparison between STEP and other formats?

[andy c 0]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAD_data_exchange

This Wiki entry is a good starting point. STEP is vendor-neutral (compared to say, Parasolid), and is in common use in CAM such as for tool-making. STEP supersedes IGES, the previous vendor-neutral standard.

[P Retondo 106]

Andy, my impression is that STEP is not the current favored file format. It was always intended to do much more than IGES, which was mainly for geometric characteristics where STEP was intended to be a BIM-type standard. I'm not sure that enough people are on board with STEP to make it a real standard.

Maybe someone who knows more than I do about STEP vs. IFC could comment.

[Petri 2]

IFC applies only to the construction industry (AEC). STEP is a generic format/concept; IFC is, I understand, pretty much an adaptation of it to a particular industry. When I last looked, automotive and aircraft industries were, among others, applying STEP.

[P Retondo 106]

Petri, thanks! So does that mean that the VW implementation of IFC format answers this wish list item, or is IFC so limited it can't serve mechanical design needs?

[Petri 2]

So does that mean that the VW implementation of IFC format answers this wish list item,

I don't think so.

or is IFC so limited it can't serve mechanical design needs?

Yes. Limited, focused - whichever.