STEP files

[Anonymous]

I am very new to all this inventor stuff na dhave found info in this newsgroup pretty helpful. I have a question though, I see people talking about STEP files all the time, exactly what are they and when are they used?

Thanks, Lloyd

[Anonymous]

STandard for the Exchange of Product data (or information)

It is what is known as a neutral file format. Many CAD packages can read
and write to this format.

Many vendors offer their drawings in this format as just about everyone can
read it. The down side is it's a dumb solid and the features cannot be
directly edited.

--
Sean Dotson, PE
http://www.sdotson.com
Check the Inventor FAQ for most common questions
www.sdotson.com/faq.html
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"LloydM" wrote in message
news:f16a73b.-1@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I am very new to all this inventor stuff na dhave found info in this
newsgroup pretty helpful. I have a question though, I see people talking
about STEP files all the time, exactly what are they and when are they used?
> Thanks, Lloyd
>

[Anonymous]

is that what the dws extention in ACAD is? Other than that extention I don't see how I could save a drawing as step.

[Anonymous]

No, the dws is for drawings standard file. You can set up your company standards in the *.dws file and then compare and conform other files to the standard. As far as I know you cannot save as STEP in plain-jane Autocad but you can use the command stepout in the MDT module of Autodesk Inventor Series. J.D.

[Anonymous]

Try the command STEPOUT and see what happens. The last couple (or so)
versions of MDT included the translator. Prior to that it had to be purchased
separately. If you get an error message you will probably have to look into
buying the translator (Adesk used to have a Data Exchange CD that could be
purchased).

========================
"LloydM" wrote in message
news:f16a73b.1@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> .......I don't see how I could save a drawing as step.
>

[Anonymous]

.... and if you just have an occasional need, steptools.com has a free .sat -
.stp (both ways) translation service.

==================

"Jeff Howard" wrote in message
news:7ECC4BC53B6265F8636A43F39635F038@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Try the command STEPOUT and see what happens. The last couple (or so)
> versions of MDT included the translator. Prior to that it had to be
purchased
> separately. If you get an error message you will probably have to look
into
> buying the translator (Adesk used to have a Data Exchange CD that could be
> purchased).
>
> ========================
> "LloydM" wrote in message
> news:f16a73b.1@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > .......I don't see how I could save a drawing as step.
> >
>
>