STEP file, which viewer?

Had the same problem on March 4. It's some kind of mechanical drawing. Since the client wanted an IBIS model, which you don't do with a mechanical drawing, I tossed it back. But several people here referred me to viewers I didn't save that info :-(

I'm sure they'll come forth. ...Jim Thompson

eDrawings, free download from SolidWorks. Views Autocad files, too.

It's fun to play with, 3D rotations and stuff. Unlike the full SolidWorks, it only lets you look at an object from outside, although you can sometimes peek inside through windows or holes.

I have that. Result: Unsupported File Type :-(

Clicking on "check for updates" it says that I've got the newest version. Can you check yours under the tabs Help -> About? I have

It sure is fun but so far it's only worked with SolidWorks files. For the other stuff I bought a 3D CAD program but that can't read *.step files either.

STEP is kind of universal mechanical data exchange file format. Actually an ISO standard. I find it surprising that eDrawings and your other CAD program can't read them. I would consider whether the files might be corrupted. Or ask the client whether he/she is sure that the files are really in a step format.

As already suggested eDrawings should do the trick. Any fully featured CAD program should also be able to read them, if it really is a STEP file. Regarding a dedicated STEP viewer, judging from hearsay (never used it myself) STP Viewer is recommended.

Kind regards, Klaus Bahner

Oops, sorry, that views Solidworks but not STEP.

We have SolidWorks. Send me your file and I'll convert it.

Try CAD Exchanger from

I think I have used IDA-Step in the past. There are some others I tried but I'd have to fire up my windows box and look. Maybe stp viewer. No time right now.

duckduckgo free step file viewer

Well, save the gazillion+1 sofware install... When I face such things and don't have to work with the file (other than have a look/print) I just ask them to make a pdf.

Isn't that supposed to be 'the' tool after all?

stlviewer (from sourceforge) - nice small footprint.

Are you sure?

In my experience you can look inside, hide some parts in an assembly, make parts transparent, take cross sections, make measurements. All with the free viewer.

This is when viewing solidworks .EASM files, don't know about other formats.

I have sent at least one person to

Watch out for the sponsored ad fake download buttons on the site.

Most of the good free 3D model viewer programs are tied to the native file format of an MCAD system like eDrawings (SolidWorks) or Inventor Viewer (AutoCad Inventor).

For one-shot use, I tend to scan for malware (upload to

--sp

"Section" slices a thing in half, but it seems to still view from outside. It would be cool to go inside and look around. I don't know how to do that.

Rhino3D has a free trial version.

STL |= STP does it do both?

My mistake - it's STL only. I use Rhino for STEP.

Thanks for all responses. I've tried IDA and another. Won't work. IDA doesn't even have a proper file open menu, just some obscure import thingie that doesn't seem to function. Time to ditch this STEP stuff and I asked them what Fred said, to send the stuff in a more common format.

I have no idea why on earth we need new file formats all the time. PDF, Gerber, DOC and DXF is all the EE world really needs.

I am not going to try any more, unless I really, really have to :-)

And you have tried this?

Jamie

Oh, you give up way to easy!

Oh Wait, don't you use linux ? :)

Jamie