EXPORTING MARKED PARTS TO STEP FILES

[engineeringEN6K5]

Is there a way to export a part from inventor that has marked lines and have it be visible on a step file. For context, I want to put scribe marks on some pipe for our rotary pipe cutter, so we can get the correct orientation. We upload step files to the program and it will cut the pipe for us. Previously, I just put small notches in the pipe and export that. They would just line the notches up and weld over them. I was just wondering if it would be possible to use the mark command? 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Indeed, at the moment the Mark edges are not exported to STEP because STEP translator simplifies the detail edges. The same behavior can be noticed on exporting a body with split edges. I need to work with the project team to understand the limitation better. If I have any meaningful information to share, I will let you know.

In the meantime, I suggest you export the body as SAT. The Mark edges will be included in the SAT file.

Many thanks!

[t.devriesQ4H3J]

This way does not work if the one who needs the files can't import them. they only can import stp. Would suggest that stp files also can have marked surfaces.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! On 2024 and 2023, the Mark edges are indeed excluded in the STEP file. You may need to create a sketch on the part face and project the Mark edges before exporting to STEP (check Include Sketches option).

We are working on a solution to enable the ability. If you have signed up Inventor Feedback Community (https://autode.sk/InventorBeta), please sign in and try the workflow on the latest internal build in an install-free environment.

Many thanks!

[BirkirSnaerS]

any news about Marked parts to STEP file?

[RajSchmidt]

Yes, that was introduced with 2025.1

[BirkirSnaerS]

Thanks, I see I need a 3rd party tool called "ST-viewer".
But I can´t find anything on google named that

[engineeringEN6K5]

I haven't found the "ST-Viewer" either. Does anyone know ?

[pcrawley]

Could it be "STP Viewer" - https://stpviewer.com/

Do you just want to view the Step file?  You can open Step files in most Autodesk products - Inventor, Fusion, AutoCAD, 3ds max, or if you don't have any of those, even the online viewer at https://viewer.autodesk.com/

[BirkirSnaerS]

no, It seem that I need to export to STEP via ST-viewer to get the markings on to the parts in a STEP file format.

[kacper.suchomski · Accepted solution]

You do not need any additional software.

[jeromeQTZLB]

I am currently trying to perform the same export to IGES, but I cannot see the different layers for my markings when I open the exported IGES file. Is it normal?

The version I am using is Inventor 2024.3.1

[RajSchmidt]

Yes. I am not sure if IGES supports markings as a feature. And as I understand markings in Inventor, under the hood they do some kind of splitting the surface. So, if you export you will simply get a split surface.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Jerome,

Raj is right. I don't believe Inventor IGES Export support Mark feature particularly. The issue here is that most translation processes undergo "geometry simplification/consolidation" before exporting. Such detail edges are removed. For STEP Export particularly, Inventor team has to do something particularly to avoid Mark edges from being removed. I don't believe such ability is enabled in IGES Export.

Many thanks!