Exporting as STEP with Text Etching?

[paulZKN98]

Hey Inventor guru's, here's the problem I am trying to solve:  

I need to export a part STEP file with a layer of text linework.

Background:

I am exporting tube parts to be cut via CNC laser (ex 2"x2" square tube),  I export my frame generator parts to a STEP file and include their part number to be etched on a face--we perform a similar task with sheetmetal flat patterns that export to dxf.  The dxf will include the part number from the iproperties. 

Does anyone have any good workflow or plugin/tool accomplish this sort of task on a STEP file?  The only workflow I can think of is to make a sketch with text and cut into the tube but I would need to manually type out all part number...(too manual!!) Then our CNC guy would select the text profile and give it an etch attribute.  

Does anyone have any other solution?  

Many thanks in advance!

Paul

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi Paul,

As of Inventor 2022, I am not aware of a good solution besides DXF/DWG export. The text isn't exported to STEP. This is a requirement we are aware of. If you are interested, please sign up Inventor Feedback Community.

Many thanks!

[admaiora]

Hi @johnsonshiue !

Do you have an idea about the best cad format to export from Inventor that can contains iprops (standard and custom)?

Many thanks!

[admaiora]

Ok. Found it!