2012

Table Of Contents
Import STEP Files
You can import STEP (*.stp, *.ste, or *.step) files and insert them in the current
drawing.
Standard for the Exchange of Product model data (STEP) is an ISO standard
for computer interpretable product manufacturing data representation (CAD
data as well as meta data) and exchange. STEP is often used for exchanging
3D model data between dissimilar CAD systems. The IMPORT command
supports STEP versions AP214 and AP203E2.
The following data types are translated:
Assemblies
Parts
Surfaces
Solids
Wire Geometry (2D & 3D)
All geometry is created on layer 0. The original colors for all 2D and 3D wire
geometry are preserved. They do not acquire the color from layer 0 (color is
not ByLayer).
IMPORT maps all STEP assembly structures to blocks and block references.
Individual part in an input STEP file is mapped to a block, which in turn is
referenced from model space. Assemblies are formed by nesting "part" blocks.
The name of the block is the same as the name of the corresponding part or
assembly in STEP. If a STEP part or assembly name contains unsupported
characters, in the corresponding block they are replaced by the underscore
(_) character. If a part or assembly name is longer than the maximum block
name length, the name is truncated. If this results in identically named blocks,
a unique name is assigned to one of the blocks by appending the dollar
character ($) to its name, along with a unique number. The original name is
preserved in the block description.
The INSUNITS property on the block corresponding to the top level assembly
is set to match the source files linear units. If the source files units cannot
be found or is not supported by INSUNITS, the property is set to No Units.
Depending on how complex the STEP file is, IMPORT could take several
minutes to execute. Hence, IMPORT runs as a background process, allowing
you to continue working on the drawing. Once the background process starts,
IMPORT displays the Import icon on the status bar. If you hover over the
1866 | Chapter 37 Work with Data in Other Formats