Step files problem

[pquenzi]

I use Inventor 2025 and often make step files for customers who use Solid Works. Some customers have no problem opening the step files I send them but others can only open individual parts or small assemblies but not larger assemblies. When I create the step file I see no options to try different settings. Does anyone know what might be done to correct this? Thanks. Phil

[Schredhammer]

Our sister company that produces our sheet metal parts uses Solid Works. Sometimes I have to send them .x_t files because they occasionally can't open the step files Inventor exports.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I would check a few places. Try importing the STEP file back to Inventor. Does it work fine? If yes, it is likely SWX's STEP translator misbehaving. If there are missing parts on the import (in Inventor), likely you may have files with the same name but stored in different folders. Inventor can handle duplicate files natively but STEP format does not support it. You want to make sure all files are uniquely named.

Many thanks!

[SharkDesign]

Also look in the options when exporting to STEP. There are 3 different standards listed in there. Do you have issues on all 3?

[pquenzi]

I put one of the troublesome step files in a new folder in a different project and then opened it with Inventor 2025 and it opened fine.

I just sent another step file using one of the other options (203) to the customer to see if they can open that.

[pquenzi]

Some progress. My customer updated to the latest version of Solidworks and now he can open the step files but cannot access any of the individual parts. The last step file I sent them was Application protocol 214 (Automotive). The only option I see in that protocol is "include sketches". Is there some way for them to get to individual parts and assemblies in that step file? Thanks.

[swalton]

You might try the .stp file viewer from NIST.  https://www.nist.gov/services-resources/software/step-file-analyzer-and-viewer

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! A few things you can check to test the integrity of the STEP file exported from Inventor. You may import it back to Inventor to see if you can access the parts. Another test is to upload to viewer.autodesk.com. If both work correctly, likely the partner is not using the right options in SWX to import the STEP file. Or there is an issue on SWX.

Many thanks!