Merging a multi component STEP file to a single component

[philrydin-orwin]

Hi, 
Please help. My electronics guy has given me a step file containing 700 components which gets laggy, as I need 4 sets, I tried combining them, but there was a problem of too many components, so what I want to do is export and merge all the components into a single component. I don't want an .stl file, as this scales badly, and then just goes wrong. SO I don't care what 3D file format it is other than not being a .stl. All help appreciated thanks! 

[ritste20]

Is this a 3D PCB model? Do you know what software it was created in?

Regards,

[jeff_strater]

@philrydin-orwin - do you need all the detail that exists in this STEP file?  My recommendation would be to use the "Select by Size" tool to select and then delete any really small components (i.e. small resistors or capacitors on your board). 

Then, it is definitely worth trying to use Combine to put the remaining components into a single component/body.  I'm not sure what you mean by "but there was a problem of too many components", but as long as the components overlap, they should be able to be Combined.  Certainly if there are gaps, this approach will not work, but it might help to Combine what you are able to to help reduce the number of components as much as you can.

[mango.freund]

hi, i think it is necessary to review your step in order to suggest good steps. greetings mango

[philrydin-orwin]

That is an interesting function! I will give it a go. I did export from Alibre as an .igs file and this did create a single file.  Thanks.