Reduce size of created step files

[gert.minnartRLH6W]

All

When exporting machines to step (to share with customers) we always end up with very big files (let's say 150-300MB). These files are very slow and not so convenient to work with for our customers.

What we already tried: 

- Working with Level of detail: e.g. excluding non-relevant parts for our customers: positive result, but doing this resulted in the size mentioned above 🙂 

- Shrinkwrapping more complex assemblies: ended up in ever bigger step files

What else is recommended to do? Excluding features on part level?

Many thanks!

[SharkDesign]

Get rid of any surfaces in the models, they MASSIVELY increase file size. 

Dunno if SAT files are any better, but I found they used to zip really well. 

[gert.minnartRLH6W]

@SharkDesign , Thanks for your support, but even without these surfaces (also suppressed in the level of detail) step file size is massive...

Any other feedback?

Colleagues working in other programs can easily reduce the size of their steps to 40-50 MB, showing similar machines... Is this typical for Inventor?

[mcgyvr]

Simplification tools to reduce complexity,etc...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVNK1WzALhE

[Frederick_Law]

I was working on 13 MB STEP with 1000 parts in Solidworks.  It was slow.

It doesn't have sub-assemblies.  1000 bodies in a part file.

Saving out all bodies took hours.

Took a few days to work out how to combine same parts and move to assemblies.

So please save the STEP from your assembly.  So duplicate parts won't multiply.

Or save in sub-assemblies.

Remove parts that your customer don't need.

BTW while saving one of those STEP into parts, SW used 77GB of pagefile.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Gert,

Aside from simplifying the assembly, there is another way to reduce STEP file size. You can simply change the default STEP export spline fit tolerance. The default is 0.0001mm (in Export dialog). You may loose it to 0.001mm or 0.01mm. However, the spline geometry may be inaccurate. If it is acceptable, you may see the smaller file size. Please make sure such loose tolerance is acceptable by the receiving end. It may screw up geometry.

Many thanks!