topic Transparent STEP files? in Inventor Forum

Transparent STEP files?

Mustang69 — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:12:05 GMT

Quite often when I get a STEP files from someone I have trouble making the part visible

Like this part is transparent and I can't put a color on it

I have tried several "import" methods when I opend the STEP but it is pretty much the same result

Any tip why this happens or how I could put colors on them?

Thanks

Per

Re: Transparent STEP files?

JDMather — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:16:05 GMT

@Mustang69 wrote:

Like this part is transparent and I can't put a color on it

Any tip why this happens or how I could put colors on them?

You did not expand the browser node - so it is not possible to determine if you have Solid Bodies or Surface Bodies.

(My guess is Surface Bodies.)

You did not Attach an example file here.

In the part level you can turn off Translucent and apply any color (Appearance) that you like.

Re: Transparent STEP files?

SharkDesign — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:21:27 GMT

It's because it's come in as a surface model. This is usually because of bad geometry caused by the conversion process.

You can try and make it solid by patching any holes and stitching it, or just right click in the browser and turn off transparency/translucent.

Sometimes you have to drill down to get the transparent option.

Re: Transparent STEP files?

Mustang69 — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:20:34 GMT

Here is an example....It generates over 500parts!!

Re: Transparent STEP files?

SharkDesign — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:35:03 GMT

If you shrinkwrap the part to composite it will make a single body and turn the translucency off for you automatically.

It's still not great for applying colours, but it's much better than clear.

Re: Transparent STEP files?

johnsonshiue — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:54:33 GMT

Hi! These components contain surface bodies, not solid bodies. As a result, they come in with default surface appearance. To change the behavior, close all files and go to Tools -> App Options -> Part -> check "Opaque surfaces."

Then import the STP file again. The surface bodies will come in opaque.

Many thanks!

Re: Transparent STEP files?

Mustang69 — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 05:59:28 GMT

Thanks that worked perfect for my needs!

The size of the file grows strangely though to over 5Mb for this example....Would be great to have it smaller in filesize

Re: Transparent STEP files?

SharkDesign — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:15:07 GMT

Another thing you can try is not converting it at all, you can select reference when you import it, but you need to hang on to the original STEP file.

Surface files in general are massive files, you are much better getting a solid version if you can, or converting it yourself. Something as complicated as that though could be quite difficult to convert.

Re: Transparent STEP files?

-niels- — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:33:26 GMT

Here is a (poorly) patched version that is a full solid.

I found 1 "hole" that i patched by removing some surfaces and making a boundary patch to replace them, but the shape isn't as "neat" as it should be, but it might not matter that much for its intended purpose...

See attached IV2021 file.

Re: Transparent STEP files?

Mustang69 — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 09:09:36 GMT

Looks great.
My goal is not a perfect product...Just so I can present it resonable good for customers

Size got smaller also

Re: Transparent STEP files?

Mustang69 — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 09:22:05 GMT

Good with several ideas it makes me try several different ways!

I found out another way that make the part file small!.

First I saved it as a .OBJ 3d print file

Then opened it and it becomes a Ipn file and alot smaller!

Shrinked from 4Mb to 0,8Mb

And quite good visualy!

Re: Transparent STEP files?

akshay23241a0348 — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 18:04:59 GMT

This worked for me!

Re: Transparent STEP files?

robertnZNG86 — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:51:17 GMT

This did it for me.
Thanks