topic Re: STEP file export in Fusion Support Forum

STEP file export

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 15:47:53 GMT

I want to convert an STL file into a STEP file using Fusion 360. I imported the STL file without any issue. But when I export the part into STEP, I get a 4ko file that doesn't open. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Jean-François

Re: STEP file export

saito.kh — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 02:18:03 GMT

Hi Jean-François,

Welcome to the Fusion 360 community!

Thanks for posting. Can you please let me know how you exported into STEP since it requires all bodies to be solid bodies?

I found the below article and movie to convert a mesh model (STL) into STEP before exporting. Would you check if you have not and try to follow the steps?

How to convert a mesh to a BRep in Fusion 360

QUICK TIP: Mesh to Solid

Thanks!

Re: STEP file export

TrippyLighting — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 14:46:28 GMT

Why would you want to convert a .stl file that contains a heavily triangualted mesh into a STEP file that I believe can contain meshes but usually contains solids and NURBS surfaces ?

Re: STEP file export

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 14:58:52 GMT

Hello Trippy Lighting,

I need to concert .stl files into .step because some suppliers will only
accept such format (CNC suppliers, Chinese manufacturers...)

Re: STEP file export

PaulMunford — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:02:32 GMT

Just to clarify, an STL file is a triangulated mesh. A STEP file contains a Brep (boundary representation) calculated by vertices, edges and faces.

A Brep is 'Real' geometry made of lines are and circles. A mesh is a faceted approximation.

You can generate a mesh from a brep no problem, but trying to go the other way is no mean feat.

A simple shape can be converted through remake and fusion, but often some manual re-modelling is required.

Can you get hold of the original file the the STL was generated from?