STEP file export

[Anonymous]

I recently created a design with multiple bodies rotated randomly. These bodies were copies of the same part that was created with a Y-up local axis. 

I exported these as a STEP file, then opened them in a rendering program. I needed to use the randomly rotated parts' local axis information to apply graphics to these. No local axis information was found. 

I would be amazed if an export from Fusion 360 didn't support local axis information. 

Questions: 

• Is F360 using STEP AP203 or AP214?
• Does this sound like user error?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Bodies in Fusion 360 don't have a coordinate system other than the global coordinate system/origin of a design. At least none is accessible to the user.

Instead of moving these bodies, convert them into component before moving them and then move the components.

A component has it's own origin and that might make a difference when exporting to a Step file.

[SEIZMICdesign]

Would still like to know if 203 or 214 as F360 does not explicitly say during export.

[MRWakefield]

Looks like it's 214. See below abstract from a STEP file exported from F360:

ISO-10303-21;
HEADER;
/* Generated by software containing ST-Developer
 * from STEP Tools, Inc. (www.steptools.com) 
 */

FILE_DESCRIPTION(
/* description */ (''),
/* implementation_level */ '2;1');

FILE_NAME(
/* name */ 
'C:/Users/Marcus/Desktop/Steam Valve Body (Machined) v2 v2.step',
/* time_stamp */ '2020-01-17T22:49:01+00:00',
/* author */ (''),
/* organization */ (''),
/* preprocessor_version */ 'ST-DEVELOPER v18',
/* originating_system */ 'Autodesk Translation Framework v8.12.0.6',
/* authorisation */ '');

FILE_SCHEMA (('AUTOMOTIVE_DESIGN { 1 0 10303 214 3 1 1 }'));
ENDSEC;

[SEIZMICdesign]

Hmmm. wonder why it's not working for the people I'm sending it to then. Thanks for digging that up.

[MRWakefield]

Are you able to upload it here for us to take a look at?

[SEIZMICdesign]

maybe - it's an ENORMOUS file. I think part of the problem is that they are needing a mesh file. think I'm going to export to stl, then import, then export again as step. 🤞🏻

[MRWakefield]

Hmmm ok... If you're thinking that they need a mesh file then I don't think STEP supports that (although I'm willing to be enlightened!). Is this a file you've created in Fusion (or another CAD system) or is this a file that's been supplied by someone else?

[SEIZMICdesign]

originally a SolidWorks file, I brought it in to Fusion, tweaked a couple things. exported to step, they said it wasn't working for them. I know the file is fine because I re-imported to Fusion to check before sending - and after they said it wasn't working. So who knows. I'll figure it out at some point but currently other projects are taking priority.

[MRWakefield]

Ok, no problem. We'll still be here when/if you need any further assistance 😉

Sounds like your STEP file is ok, I wonder what they're doing with it that it isn't working for them!?!?

BTW, I did some further digging and found that STEP can contain mesh data so I've learned something there.