topic Reduce size of STEP surface file in Inventor Forum

Reduce size of STEP surface file

jotl — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:07:48 GMT

Hi. Ive tried to find a solution on this one, but without any success. I have a STEP file of an engine from our supplier that opens as surface body . Im going to make an assembly of this engine together with a gearbox, and then send this assembly to our customer as a new STEP-file. They want the assembly to be preferably no more than 20MB. The step file of the engine is now almost 200MB itself. Is it possible to make a very "simple" version of this file and decrease the size. It doesnt need to include small details, as long as outer dimensions are maintaned.

Thanks for all replies!

Re: Reduce size of STEP surface file

johnsonshiue — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 22:10:57 GMT

Hi! The size of a STEP file is usually proportional to the amount of geometry in the file. 200MB usually means several complex and detail geometry components. You can import it to Inventor and then use Shrinkwrap/Simplify workflows to remove some geometry. Then export it as a STEP file again.

Many thanks!

Re: Reduce size of STEP surface file

jotl — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 12:20:43 GMT

Ì`ve tried to use shrinkwrap but it doesnt make the file any smaller. The STEP file is imported as 894 surface bodies, and all the surfaces have a lot of details. I am wondering if can make this file less detailed in a way, to make the part look more like the attached photo.

Re: Reduce size of STEP surface file

JDMather — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 12:24:40 GMT

The best way to tackle this is probably from the source before STEP.

But you could delete all of the internal surfaces, small external surfaces, Patch and Stitch.

This would be a manual processes, but at least most everything is already created for you - just removing what you don't need.

Re: Reduce size of STEP surface file

johnsonshiue — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 23:10:07 GMT

Hi! Another option is to use Delete Face (check Heal option) to remove some detail geometry.

Many thanks!