Opening .STEP Files in Parallel

[MistakenEngineer]

I need the ability to open very large step files in parallel. We have large step files that take 15-30 minutes to open each and we have to open 5-10 at a time. This can take all day. Before I start coding, is there anything that already exists that does this?

If not, I am planning on making an app that opens them from within Apprentice Server. I don’t know if this is possible as the documentation says, “Access to the assembly structure, B-Rep, geometry, and render styles is read-only. Access to file references, attributes, and document properties is read and write.” From the Understanding AnyCAD documentation, here is this code I would start with.

Sub AssociativelyImportSolidworksToAssemblySample()
    Dim oDoc As AssemblyDocument
    Set oDoc = ThisApplication.Documents.Add(kAssemblyDocumentObject)

    Dim oAssyCompDef As AssemblyComponentDefinition
    Set oAssyCompDef = oDoc.ComponentDefinition

    'Create the ImportedGenericComponentDefinition bases on an Alias file
    Dim oImportedGenericCompDef As ImportedGenericComponentDefinition
    Set oImportedGenericCompDef = oAssyCompDef.ImportedComponents.CreateDefinition("C:\ProjectName\iPod.SLDPRT")

    'Set the ReferenceModel to associatively import the Alias file
    oImportedGenericCompDef.ReferenceModel = True

    'Import the Solidworks to assembly
    Dim oImportedComp As ImportedComponent
    Set oImportedComp = oAssyCompDef.ImportedComponents.Add(oImportedGenericCompDef)
End Sub

I would want to convert the model rather than reference it. Regardless, since I am adding something to the component definition of the assembly file, would this not work in the Apprentice Server?

I also believe I've had issues with this macro in the past. After opening .STEP files, the assembly would save to the right location but I believe the parts would save to my local C: drive for some reason. I need to confirm this again but it's something if you guys want to check out first.